"Public Service Is Good Too": Noryangjin Stirs as Young Job Seekers Shift from 'Large Corporations and 47 Million Won' Aspirations

Starting Salary Expectations Drop by 4 Million Won Amid Prolonged Job Slump
More Job Seekers Secure Full-Time Positions First, Then Plan to Change Jobs

Amid a prolonged job market slump, job seekers are increasingly lowering their salary expectations and adopting more realistic job search strategies.

Noryangjin Cupbap Street. Photo by The Asia Business Daily.

On January 11, Jin Hak Sa Catch, a recruitment platform, released the results of its survey titled "Companies I Want to Work for in 2026," conducted with 1,204 job seekers.

According to the survey, 62% of respondents chose large corporations as their preferred employers. This was followed by public enterprises and public institutions (12%), mid-sized companies (12%), foreign companies (6%), and small businesses (5%).

The most important factor when choosing a company was salary. Over half of the respondents (53%) selected "companies with high salaries," followed by work-life balance (16%), employee benefits (12%), growth opportunities (8%), colleagues (6%), work environment (4%), and location (1%).

However, the desired starting salary for 2026 was approximately 43 million won, which is 4 million won lower than last year's survey (about 47 million won). The minimum average salary considered acceptable for employment was 40 million won. While large corporations remain the most preferred, the realistic baseline is now being set at the starting salary level of mid-sized companies.

There is also a growing trend of prioritizing job security and career development over salary. When offered the same pay, 64% of respondents said they would choose a full-time position at a small company, compared to 36% who would prefer to prepare for large corporation jobs while working part-time.

Yonhap News Agency

A representative from Jin Hak Sa Catch stated, "Job seekers still desire large corporations and high salaries, but as the job market slump continues, they are adjusting their salary expectations. Increasingly, job seekers are aiming to quickly secure their first job and build their careers to enhance their value, rather than considering their first job as a lifelong position."

Meanwhile, there are signs of renewed interest in civil service positions, which were previously avoided due to low pay. Last year, the competition rate for the national civil service level 9 open recruitment exam rebounded to 24.3 to 1, the first increase in nine years, and the number of new students at online education companies also rose.

In response to criticism over low pay, the government is working to adjust civil servant salaries to more realistic levels. This year, the salary increase rate for civil servants is 3.5%, the highest in nine years, and the starting salary for level 9 civil servants will increase by up to 6.6%. The number of national civil servant open recruitment positions has also risen to 5,351 this year, marking the first increase in five years.