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구직하다

B1 verb #7,000 most common 9 min read

구직하다

gujikhada Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 구직하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 구직하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 구직하다 might be a bit difficult because it is formal. However, it is very useful to know because it relates to work. In basic Korean, you usually learn '일' (work) and '하다' (to do). 구직하다 is just a more specific way to say 'looking for work.' Think of it as 'Job (직) + Seeking (구) + Doing (하다).' If you are a student and someone asks what you are doing these days, you can say '구직해요' to sound very polite. Most A1 learners will use '일자리를 찾아요' (I am looking for a job), but knowing 구직하다 helps you understand signs in the street or titles on websites. For example, if you see a sign that says '구직,' it means someone is looking for a job. It is a good word to start recognizing early on even if you don't use it in every conversation. You can practice by making simple sentences like '저는 구직해요' (I am job hunting). This level focuses on the basic meaning: I need a job, so I am looking.

At the A2 level, you can start using 구직하다 in more complete sentences. You should be able to combine it with time markers like '요즘' (these days) or '졸업 후에' (after graduation). At this stage, it's important to understand the difference between 구직 (seeking a job) and 취업 (getting a job). You can say '저는 요즘 구직하고 있어요' (I am job hunting these days). This is a great way to describe your life situation. You might also encounter the noun form '구직자' (job seeker) in simple news clips or advertisements. A2 learners should practice using the progressive form '-고 있다' because job hunting is usually a process that takes time. You can also use it with '싶다' to express your desire: '한국에서 구직하고 싶어요' (I want to look for a job in Korea). This level is about moving from simple words to professional-sounding verbs in common situations.

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 구직하다 in professional and semi-formal contexts. This is the level where you start writing resumes or attending interviews. You should understand that 구직하다 is the standard term for these situations. You can use it with more complex grammar like '-(으)려고' (in order to): '좋은 직장을 구직하려고 노력 중입니다' (I am making an effort to seek a good workplace). You should also be aware of related terms like '구직 사이트' (job search site) and '구직 활동' (job-seeking activity). At B1, you can discuss the difficulties of job hunting using this word: '구직하는 것이 생각보다 힘들어요' (Seeking a job is harder than I thought). This level requires you to use the word with appropriate particles and in the correct register (formal polite). It's also vital for IELTS or TOPIK preparation where career-related topics are common.

At the B2 level, 구직하다 should be a natural part of your professional vocabulary. You should be able to use it to discuss social issues, such as '청년 구직난' (the job-seeking difficulties of youth). You can use more advanced grammatical structures like '-(으)면 -(으)ㄹ수록' (the more... the more...): '구직하면 할수록 경쟁이 치열하다는 것을 느껴요' (The more I job hunt, the more I feel how fierce the competition is). You should also be able to distinguish between 구직하다 and its antonym 구인하다 without hesitation. B2 learners can engage in debates about the job market, government policies for 구직자 (job seekers), and the impact of technology on how people 구직하다. You should also understand the nuance of using this word versus '이직하다' (to change jobs). Your sentences should be fluid and include adverbs that specify the nature of the search, such as '필사적으로' (desperately) or '체계적으로' (systematically).

At the C1 level, you use 구직하다 in complex academic or professional discourse. You can analyze the economic implications of '구직 단념자' (those who have given up job hunting) and discuss how the '구직 플랫폼' (job-seeking platforms) are changing the labor market. You should be able to use the word in the passive or causative sense if necessary, or within highly formal structures like '구직하고자 하는 의지' (the will to seek employment). C1 learners can write detailed reports or essays on the '구직 시장의 불균형' (mismatch in the job market). You should also be familiar with Hanja-based synonyms and how they change the tone of a sentence. For example, comparing '구직' with '구업' or '취업'. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of the cultural nuances of the Korean 'spec' culture and how 구직하다 is perceived as a significant life transition. You can use the word to describe long-term trends and policy impacts with high precision.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 구직하다 is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can use it in any context, from high-level economic analysis to subtle literary descriptions. You understand the historical evolution of the term and how it fits into the broader vocabulary of Korean labor law and sociology. You can use the word to discuss abstract concepts like '구직의 권리' (the right to seek employment) or '구직 과정에서의 차별' (discrimination in the job-seeking process). C2 learners can effortlessly switch between '구직하다', '일자리를 찾다', and '입사를 희망하다' depending on the exact nuance they wish to convey. You can also use the word in creative ways, perhaps in a speech or a formal presentation, to inspire others or to critique the current state of the industry. Your command over the word includes knowing all its collocations, idiomatic uses, and the social weight it carries in modern South Korean society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

구직하다 in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning 'to seek employment' or 'to look for a job' in professional contexts.
Composed of Hanja roots 'Seek' (구) and 'Job' (직), making it the standard term for official use.
Distinguished from '구인하다' (to hire) and '취업하다' (to actually get the job after searching).
Essential for discussing careers, reading job boards, and describing professional status in South Korea.

The Korean verb 구직하다 is a formal and highly structured term that translates to 'to look for a job' or 'to seek employment.' While beginners might use simpler phrases like '일을 찾다' (to look for work), 구직하다 is the standard professional term used in formal contexts, government documents, and business settings. It is a compound word derived from the Hanja characters 求 (구) meaning 'to seek' or 'to request' and 職 (직) meaning 'job,' 'office,' or 'duty,' followed by the active verb suffix 하다. This etymological root gives the word a sense of active, purposeful searching rather than a passive desire for work.

Register and Usage: This word is predominantly used in written Korean, formal speeches, and professional conversations. If you are filling out an application for unemployment benefits or writing a cover letter, you would use this word to describe your current status. It is also the base for the noun 구직자 (job seeker), a term you will see daily in Korean news headlines discussing the labor market.

졸업 후 많은 청년들이 대기업에 구직하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다. (After graduation, many young people are striving to seek employment at large corporations.)

In the socio-economic landscape of South Korea, 구직하다 is often associated with the rigorous process of '취준' (short for 취업 준비 - preparing for employment). It implies a systematic approach: preparing a resume (이력서), writing a self-introduction letter (자기소개서), and obtaining various certifications (자격증). When someone says they are '구직 중' (in the middle of job seeking), they are signaling a serious commitment to finding a professional role. This word is vital for the B1 level because it marks the transition from survival-level Korean to professional-level Korean, allowing you to discuss your career and the economy with precision.

Furthermore, the word is used in various technical terms. For instance, 구직 사이트 refers to job search websites like Saramin or JobKorea, and 구직 활동 (job-seeking activity) is the official term used by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Understanding this word is not just about vocabulary; it is about understanding the cultural importance of the career path in Korean society, where the act of seeking a job is often seen as a full-time job in itself.

Contextual Nuance: It is important to distinguish 구직하다 (the process of seeking) from 취업하다 (the result of successfully getting a job). You 구직 for months so that you can finally 취업. Mixing these up can lead to confusion about your current employment status.

그는 몇 달째 구직하고 있지만 아직 좋은 소식이 없습니다. (He has been job hunting for several months, but there is no good news yet.)

Grammatically, 구직하다 functions as a typical '-하다' verb. It can take an object using the particles 을/를, though often the target of the job search is implied or mentioned as a destination (e.g., 'abroad' or 'at a specific company'). Because it describes a continuous process, it is very frequently used in the progressive form -고 있다 (구직하고 있다) or the noun form with '중' (구직 중이다).

Standard Sentence Structure: [Subject] + [Time/Location] + [Object/Target] + 구직하다. For example: '저는 현재 서울에서 IT 분야로 구직하고 있습니다.' (I am currently seeking employment in the IT field in Seoul.)

해외에서 구직하려면 비자 문제가 가장 중요합니다. (If you want to seek employment abroad, the visa issue is the most important.)

When using this word in the past tense, 구직했다, it implies that the period of searching has ended, though it doesn't necessarily mean the person found a job—only that the act of searching occurred. To emphasize the effort, people often add adverbs like 열심히 (hard) or 적극적으로 (actively). In professional emails, you might see the humble form: '구직하고자 합니다' (I intend to seek employment), which shows respect to the recipient.

In the negative form, you can say 구직하지 않다 or 안 구직하다 (though the former is much more natural in the formal contexts where this word is used). If someone has given up searching, they might use the term 구직을 단념하다. For B1 learners, practicing the conditional form -(으)면 is very helpful: '구직하면 연락 주세요' (If you start looking for a job, please contact me).

Common Verb Endings

구직합니다 (Formal Polite)
구직해요 (Informal Polite)
구직하고 싶어요 (Desire)
구직해야 해요 (Obligation)

새로운 분야에서 구직하는 것은 큰 용기가 필요합니다. (Seeking a job in a new field requires great courage.)

You will encounter 구직하다 most frequently in media and official environments. If you watch Korean news (KBS, MBC, SBS), you will often hear reports about the '구직 시장' (job market) or '구직 열기' (job-seeking fever). Economists use this term when discussing the '비경제활동인구' (non-economically active population) versus those who are actively 구직-ing. It is a keyword in any discussion about the national economy and employment rates.

Workplace and HR: Human Resources (HR) professionals use this word when talking about the pool of candidates. They might say, '구직자들의 수준이 높습니다' (The level of job seekers is high). If you visit a job fair (채용 박람회), the banners will almost certainly feature the word 구직.

정부는 구직하는 청년들에게 수당을 지급하기로 했습니다. (The government decided to provide allowances to young people seeking jobs.)

In digital spaces, this word is the backbone of search queries. If you are looking for a job in Korea, you would type '구직 사이트' (job search site) into Naver or Google. Apps like 'Alba-mon' (for part-time jobs) or 'Saramin' (for full-time careers) use this terminology across their user interfaces. You will see buttons labeled '구직 등록' (Register for job seeking) or '구직 신청' (Apply for job seeking).

University career centers are another primary location for this word. Counselors will ask students about their '구직 전략' (job-seeking strategy). If you are an international student in Korea, you will hear this word during immigration briefings, as there are specific visas (like the D-10) explicitly designed for the purpose of 구직 활동.

In Everyday Professional Life: Even if you are already employed, you might hear colleagues talk about '이직을 위해 구직하다' (seeking a job to change careers). It is a versatile word that covers the entire spectrum of professional searching, from the first job to a late-career change.

많은 사람들이 더 나은 조건을 찾아 구직하고 있습니다. (Many people are seeking jobs in search of better conditions.)

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing 구직하다 with 구인하다. While they look similar, they are opposites. 구직 (求職) is 'seeking a job' (done by the employee), whereas 구인 (求人) is 'seeking a person' (done by the employer). If you say '제가 구인하고 있어요' when you mean you are looking for a job, you are accidentally telling people you are a boss looking to hire someone!

구직 vs 취업: Another common mistake is using 구직하다 when you have already secured a position. Once you have the job, you use 취업하다 (to get employed) or 합격하다 (to pass/be accepted). 구직하다 is only for the 'search' phase. Saying '내일 구직해요' (I'm job hunting tomorrow) when you actually start your new job tomorrow is a major semantic error.

❌ 저는 이 회사에 구직했어요. (I job-hunted this company - awkward)
✅ 저는 이 회사에 취업했어요. (I got a job at this company.)

Learners also struggle with particles. Because 구직하다 is a formal word, it often sounds strange when paired with overly casual grammar. For example, using the '반말' (informal) ending '구직해' in a business interview would be a significant social faux pas. Additionally, while you can say '일자리를 구직하다', it is slightly redundant since '직' already means job. It's better to say '일자리를 찾다' or simply '구직하다'.

Misusing the Hanja roots is another pitfall. Some might try to combine '구' with other words incorrectly. Stick to the established compounds. Also, remember that 구직 is a noun. If you want to use it as a subject, you must use 구직이, not just 구직. For example: '구직이 힘들어요' (Job seeking is hard).

Common Particle Error: Avoid saying '회사를 구직하다'. Instead, use '회사에 취업하기 위해 구직하다' or '일자리를 구직하다'. The location of the job search usually takes the particle 에서.

❌ 구인 사이트에서 구인하고 있어요. (I'm searching for people on a hiring site - when you mean you are looking for a job.)
✅ 구직 사이트에서 구직하고 있어요. (I'm job hunting on a job search site.)

There are several ways to express the idea of looking for work, each with a different nuance and register. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common alternative is 일자리를 구하다. This is more versatile and can be used for everything from part-time jobs to professional careers. It is the phrase you would use most naturally in daily conversation with friends.

구직하다 vs 취직을 준비하다: 구직하다 is the act of searching. 취직을 준비하다 (preparing to get a job) is a broader term that includes studying, getting certifications, and searching. Often, university seniors will say they are '취준 중' (preparing for employment) rather than just '구직 중'.

Another synonym is 직장을 찾다. This focuses on finding the 'workplace' (직장) specifically. It is often used when someone is unhappy with their current company and is looking for a new one. In more academic or economic contexts, you might see 취업 활동을 하다. This is essentially the same as '구직 활동을 하다' but focuses on the goal of 'employment' (취업) rather than the 'search' (구직).

그는 더 좋은 직장을 찾기 위해 구직 전선에 뛰어들었습니다. (He jumped into the job-seeking front to find a better workplace.)

For those looking for a change in career, the word 이직하다 (to change jobs) is often used alongside 구직하다. You might say, '이직을 위해 구직 중입니다' (I am job hunting in order to change jobs). If you are looking for a very high-level or specialized position, you might use 공모에 응하다 (to respond to a public offering/recruitment).

Antonyms to Know

구인하다: To recruit/hire (the employer's side).
퇴직하다: To retire or leave a job.
해고하다: To fire someone.

회사는 구인하고, 학생들은 구직하는 시기입니다. (It is the season when companies recruit and students seek jobs.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 職 (직) originally depicted a person listening to orders or records, emphasizing the 'duty' aspect of a job.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡudʑikʰada/

US /ɡudʑikʰada/

Stress is generally even across syllables in Korean, but a slight emphasis on 'jik' occurs due to the aspirated consonant.

Rhymes With

수직하다 (vertical) 정직하다 (honest) 조직하다 (organize) 퇴직하다 (retire) 유지하다 (maintain) 정지하다 (stop) 거짓하다 (to lie - rare) 복직하다 (return to work)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '구' like 'gu' in 'gun'. It should be 'goo'.
Missing the aspirated 'k' sound in '직'.
Treating '하다' as a separate word instead of a suffix.
Pronouncing '직' with a soft 'g' sound at the end.
Speeding through '구직' and losing the clarity of the 'j' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and signs, easy to recognize once the Hanja is known.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct particle usage and formal endings.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but register choice is key.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in professional and media contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

일 (Work) 하다 (Do) 찾다 (Find/Look for) 회사 (Company) 졸업 (Graduation)

Learn Next

취업하다 (To get a job) 이력서 (Resume) 면접 (Interview) 채용 (Recruitment) 연봉 (Annual salary)

Advanced

구직 단념자 (Discouraged worker) 고용 보험 (Employment insurance) 경제활동인구 (Economically active population) 헤드헌팅 (Headhunting) 역량 (Competency)

Grammar to Know

-고 있다 (Progressive)

지금 구직하고 있어요.

-(으)려고 (In order to)

취업하려고 구직해요.

-기 시작하다 (Start doing)

졸업 전부터 구직하기 시작했어요.

-(으)려면 (If you want to)

구직하려면 이력서가 필요해요.

-는 것 (Gerund)

구직하는 것은 힘들어요.

Examples by Level

저는 구직해요.

I am job hunting.

Simple present tense of 구직하다.

동생도 구직해요?

Is your younger sibling also job hunting?

Question form of 구직하다.

제 친구는 구직하지 않아요.

My friend is not job hunting.

Negative form using -지 않다.

어디에서 구직해요?

Where are you job hunting?

Using the location particle '어디에서'.

저는 한국에서 구직해요.

I am job hunting in Korea.

Specifying location.

누가 구직해요?

Who is job hunting?

Using the subject pronoun '누가'.

오늘 구직해요.

I am job hunting today.

Adding a time adverb '오늘'.

빨리 구직하고 싶어요.

I want to job hunt quickly.

Using -고 싶다 to express desire.

졸업하고 바로 구직할 거예요.

I will job hunt right after graduation.

Future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요.

요즘 인터넷으로 구직하고 있어요.

I am job hunting via the internet these days.

Progressive form -고 있다.

구직하는 것이 너무 힘들어요.

Job hunting is very difficult.

Noun form -는 것 as a subject.

좋은 직장을 구직하고 싶습니다.

I want to seek a good workplace.

Formal polite ending -습니다.

어제부터 구직하기 시작했어요.

I started job hunting since yesterday.

Using -기 시작하다 (start to).

구직할 때 이력서가 필요해요.

When job hunting, a resume is necessary.

Using -(으)ㄹ 때 (when).

제 형은 서울에서 구직하고 있어요.

My older brother is job hunting in Seoul.

Specifying a third person and location.

구직하려면 무엇을 준비해야 해요?

What do I need to prepare if I want to job hunt?

Conditional -(으)려면 (if you intend to).

많은 사람들이 구직 사이트를 이용합니다.

Many people use job search websites.

Common collocation '구직 사이트'.

그는 전공을 살려서 구직하고 있습니다.

He is seeking a job that utilizes his major.

Using -아서/어서 for reason/manner.

외국인으로서 한국에서 구직하는 것은 쉽지 않습니다.

Seeking a job in Korea as a foreigner is not easy.

-로서 (as a/in the capacity of).

구직 활동을 증명해야 수당을 받을 수 있어요.

You must prove your job-seeking activities to receive the allowance.

Collocation '구직 활동'.

경력이 없어서 구직하기가 더 어렵네요.

It's harder to job hunt because I have no experience.

-기(가) 어렵다 (it is difficult to).

그는 새로운 분야에서 구직하기로 결심했습니다.

He decided to seek a job in a new field.

-기로 결심하다 (decide to).

구직 중인 청년들을 위한 박람회가 열립니다.

A fair for job-seeking youth is being held.

Noun modifying form -는.

적극적으로 구직하면 곧 좋은 기회가 올 거예요.

If you actively job hunt, a good opportunity will come soon.

Adverb '적극적으로' (actively).

구직난이 심해지면서 경쟁률이 높아지고 있습니다.

As the job shortage worsens, competition rates are rising.

-면서 (while/as something happens).

그는 대기업보다는 중소기업에서 구직하기를 선호합니다.

He prefers seeking a job at a small to medium enterprise rather than a large corporation.

-보다는 (rather than).

구직 과정에서 겪는 스트레스가 상당합니다.

The stress experienced during the job-seeking process is considerable.

Noun phrase '구직 과정' (job-seeking process).

정부는 구직자들에게 맞춤형 정보를 제공하고 있습니다.

The government is providing customized information to job seekers.

Term '맞춤형' (customized).

경제 위기 속에서 구직하기란 하늘의 별 따기입니다.

Seeking a job amidst an economic crisis is like picking a star from the sky (extremely difficult).

Idiom '하늘의 별 따기'.

그는 이직을 위해 퇴근 후에도 열심히 구직하고 있습니다.

He is job hunting hard even after work to change careers.

Purpose '이직을 위해'.

구직자의 눈높이가 너무 높다는 비판도 있습니다.

There are also criticisms that job seekers' expectations are too high.

Metaphor '눈높이' (eye level/expectations).

전문직의 경우 구직 기간이 상대적으로 짧은 편입니다.

In the case of professionals, the job-seeking period is relatively short.

-는 편이다 (to be on the side of).

장기적인 구직 실패는 구직 단념자로 이어질 수 있습니다.

Long-term failure to find a job can lead to people giving up job seeking.

Term '구직 단념자' (discouraged worker).

구직 시장의 유연성을 높이기 위한 정책적 지원이 시급합니다.

Policy support to increase the flexibility of the job market is urgent.

Academic tone '시급하다' (urgent).

그는 자신의 가치를 증명하기 위해 포트폴리오를 활용해 구직하고 있습니다.

He is job hunting using a portfolio to prove his value.

Complex structure using '활용해'.

구직 시 연봉뿐만 아니라 복리후생도 꼼꼼히 따져봐야 합니다.

When job hunting, you must carefully consider not only salary but also welfare benefits.

-뿐만 아니라 (not only... but also).

인공지능 기술의 발달이 구직 방식의 근본적인 변화를 가져왔습니다.

The development of AI technology has brought a fundamental change to the way people job hunt.

Causative structure '변화를 가져오다'.

구직난 해소를 위해 기업들의 적극적인 채용이 요구됩니다.

Active hiring by companies is required to resolve the job shortage.

Passive structure '요구된다'.

그는 해외 시장으로 눈을 돌려 글로벌 기업에 구직하고 있습니다.

He is turning his eyes to the overseas market and seeking a job at a global company.

Metaphor '눈을 돌리다' (turn one's eyes).

구직 과정에서의 차별을 방지하기 위한 법적 장치가 마련되었습니다.

Legal mechanisms have been established to prevent discrimination in the job-seeking process.

Complex noun phrases.

구직 행위는 단순한 생계 수단을 넘어 자아실현의 과정으로 이해되어야 합니다.

The act of job seeking should be understood as a process of self-actualization, beyond a mere means of livelihood.

Philosophical tone '자아실현' (self-actualization).

노동 시장의 이중 구조가 심화됨에 따라 구직자들의 양극화 현상도 뚜렷해지고 있습니다.

As the dual structure of the labor market intensifies, the polarization of job seekers is also becoming clear.

-함에 따라 (as/according to).

구직 포기자의 증가는 사회적 활력을 저해하는 심각한 요인 중 하나입니다.

The increase in those who give up job seeking is one of the serious factors hindering social vitality.

High-level noun '저해' (hinder/impede).

플랫폼 노동의 부상은 전통적인 구직의 개념을 해체하고 재구성하고 있습니다.

The rise of platform labor is deconstructing and reconstructing the traditional concept of job seeking.

Academic terms '해체' and '재구성'.

정부는 구직 급여 제도의 허점을 보완하여 실질적인 도움을 주고자 합니다.

The government intends to provide practical help by supplementing the loopholes in the job-seeking benefit system.

Term '허점' (loophole/weak point).

구직 활동의 자율성이 보장될 때 비로소 노동의 가치가 빛을 발할 수 있습니다.

Only when the autonomy of job-seeking activities is guaranteed can the value of labor shine.

Conditional '-(으)ㄹ 때 비로소' (only when... finally).

고령화 사회에 접어들며 노인들의 재취업을 위한 구직 열기도 뜨겁습니다.

As we enter an aging society, the job-seeking fever for the re-employment of the elderly is also hot.

Metaphor '열기가 뜨겁다' (fever is hot/intense).

구직 정보의 비대칭성을 해결하는 것이 공정한 채용 시장의 핵심 과제입니다.

Solving the asymmetry of job-seeking information is a key task for a fair recruitment market.

Economic term '비대칭성' (asymmetry).

Synonyms

일자리를 찾다 취업 준비를 하다

Antonyms

퇴직하다 사직하다

Common Collocations

적극적으로 구직하다

구직 사이트

구직 활동

구직난

구직자

구직 등록

구직 수당

구직 정보

구직 포기

해외 구직

Common Phrases

구직 중입니다

— I am currently job hunting. Used to describe one's status.

저는 현재 구직 중이라 시간이 많아요.

구직을 단념하다

— To give up on looking for a job. Used for discouraged workers.

그는 계속된 실패에 구직을 단념했다.

구직의 길

— The path of job seeking. Metaphorical expression.

구직의 길은 멀고도 험난합니다.

구직 열풍

— A fever/craze for job seeking. Used in news trends.

공무원 시험에 구직 열풍이 불고 있다.

구직 전선

— The job-seeking front/battlefield. Emphasizes competition.

수많은 졸업생들이 구직 전선에 뛰어들었다.

구직 박람회

— Job fair. A place where seekers meet employers.

내일 코엑스에서 구직 박람회가 열려요.

구직 희망자

— Those wishing to find a job. Formal term for applicants.

구직 희망자는 이력서를 제출해 주세요.

구직 시장

— The job market. Economic term.

최근 구직 시장이 꽁꽁 얼어붙었습니다.

구직 상담

— Job seeking counseling. Career advice services.

학교에서 구직 상담을 받아보세요.

구직 서류

— Job application documents. Resumes, etc.

구직 서류를 꼼꼼히 준비해야 합니다.

Often Confused With

구직하다 vs 구인하다

Opposite meaning. 구인 is hiring; 구직 is job seeking.

구직하다 vs 취업하다

Result vs Process. 취업 is actually getting the job.

구직하다 vs 구입하다

Sounds similar but means 'to purchase'.

Idioms & Expressions

"하늘의 별 따기"

— Extremely difficult (like picking a star). Often used with 구직.

요즘 같은 불경기에 구직하기는 하늘의 별 따기예요.

Casual/Idiomatic

"발 벗고 나서다"

— To take active steps/throw oneself into something. Used for active job seeking.

그는 취업을 위해 발 벗고 나서서 구직하고 있다.

Casual

"문턱이 높다"

— The threshold is high. Meaning it's hard to get in.

대기업은 구직 문턱이 정말 높아요.

Neutral

"바늘구멍 통과하기"

— Passing through a needle's eye. Used for fierce competition.

공무원 구직은 바늘구멍 통과하기만큼 어렵다.

Neutral

"눈을 낮추다"

— To lower one's expectations/standards.

구직이 안 되면 눈을 조금 낮춰보는 건 어때요?

Casual

"스펙을 쌓다"

— To build up one's 'specs' (qualifications) for job seeking.

구직하기 전에 스펙을 쌓는 것이 중요해요.

Casual

"철밥통을 찾다"

— To seek an 'iron rice bowl' (a very stable job like a civil servant).

많은 이들이 안정적인 구직을 위해 철밥통을 찾습니다.

Slang/Metaphor

"고군분투하다"

— To fight a lonely, hard battle. Used for difficult job searches.

그는 홀로 서울에서 구직하며 고군분투하고 있다.

Literary

"기회를 엿보다"

— To look for/watch for an opportunity.

그는 좋은 구직 기회를 엿보고 있다.

Neutral

"전전긍긍하다"

— To be extremely nervous/anxious about something.

그는 구직 결과가 나오지 않아 전전긍긍하고 있다.

Literary

Easily Confused

구직하다 vs 구인하다

Both start with '구' and relate to jobs.

구인 (Seeking People) vs 구직 (Seeking Jobs). The former is for employers.

사장님은 구인하고, 저는 구직해요.

구직하다 vs 취직하다

Both mean looking for/getting work.

취직 focuses on the entry into a job; 구직 focuses on the search process.

구직을 오래 한 끝에 드디어 취직했다.

구직하다 vs 이직하다

Both involve looking for jobs.

이직 means moving from one job to another; 구직 is the general act of seeking.

이직하기 위해 구직 활동을 시작했다.

구직하다 vs 모집하다

Relates to hiring.

모집 is 'to recruit' or 'to collect' applicants. It is the company's action.

회사가 신입 사원을 모집하고 있다.

구직하다 vs 지원하다

Part of the job search process.

지원 means 'to apply'. You 구직 (search) and then 지원 (apply) to a specific company.

구직 사이트에서 보고 그 회사에 지원했어요.

Sentence Patterns

저는 [Noun]에서 구직해요.

저는 한국에서 구직해요.

[Time]부터 구직하고 있어요.

지난달부터 구직하고 있어요.

[Field] 분야로 구직하려고 합니다.

마케팅 분야로 구직하려고 합니다.

구직하는 과정에서 [Noun]을/를 배웠어요.

구직하는 과정에서 인내심을 배웠어요.

구직난이 심화됨에 따라 [Result].

구직난이 심화됨에 따라 청년들의 고민이 깊어집니다.

[Subject]은/는 구직의 패러다임을 바꾸고 있다.

인공지능은 구직의 패러다임을 바꾸고 있다.

구직 사이트를 통해 [Noun]을/를 찾다.

구직 사이트를 통해 일자리를 찾다.

구직 활동을 적극적으로 펼치다.

그는 구직 활동을 적극적으로 펼치고 있다.

Word Family

Nouns

구직 (Job seeking)

구직자 (Job seeker)

구직난 (Job shortage)

구직처 (Place to look for work)

Verbs

구직하다 (To seek a job)

재구직하다 (To seek a job again)

취업 (Employment)

채용 (Recruitment)

이력서 (Resume)

면접 (Interview)

직장 (Workplace)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional/media contexts; Moderate in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 구인하다 instead of 구직하다. → 구직하다
You are seeking a job (구직), not seeking a person to hire (구인).
Saying '회사를 구직해요'. → 회사에 구직해요 / 회사에 취업하기 위해 구직해요
You don't 'seek' the company itself in this grammatical way; you seek a job *at* a company.
Using 구직하다 after getting a job. → 취업하다
Once you have the job, the 'seeking' (구직) is over. Now you are 'employed' (취업).
Pronouncing it as 'Goo-jik-ah-da' with a silent 'h'. → Goo-jik-ha-da
The 'h' in '하다' should be audible, though it may soften in fast speech.
Using it for small errands. → 심부름을 하다 / 알바를 구하다
구직하다 implies a professional career search. It's too heavy for small tasks.

Tips

Use -고 있다 for current status

Since job hunting is a process, always use '구직하고 있어요' or '구직 중이에요' when talking about your current life.

Learn the pair: 구인 and 구직

Remember that 'In' (인) is person, so 구인 is seeking a person (hiring). 'Jik' (직) is job, so 구직 is seeking a job.

Mention your field

When saying you are 구직-ing, it's natural to mention the field using '~ 분야에서'. Example: '디자인 분야에서 구직하고 있어요'.

Use in Self-Introductions

In a '자기소개서' (self-introduction), use '구직' to describe your career goals and active efforts.

Listen for '구직자'

In news reports, '구직자' is the keyword for statistics about unemployed people looking for work.

Avoid redundancy

Don't say '직업을 구직하다' because '직' already means job. Just say '구직하다' or '직업을 구하다'.

Soft 'g' sound

The first '구' should have a soft 'g' sound, not a hard 'k' sound.

Combine with '활동'

When talking about the specific steps you take (applying, interviewing), use the phrase '구직 활동'.

Formal vs Casual

If you are talking to a younger friend, '일 구하고 있어' is much more natural than '구직하고 있어'.

TOPIK/IELTS Tip

This word is high-frequency in TOPIK II reading and writing tasks related to social issues and the economy.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'GO' (구) + 'JIK' (sounds like 'job'). You 'GO' to find a 'JIK' (job).

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a magnifying glass (구 - seek) looking at an office building (직 - job).

Word Web

구직자 구인 취업 이직 퇴직 직장 직업 회사

Challenge

Try to use '구직하다' in a sentence describing your dream job search in Korea.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 求 (구 - seek) and 職 (직 - job/office). The suffix 하다 turns the noun into an active verb. This structure is common for formal Sino-Korean words.

Original meaning: To seek a position or official duty.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking someone if they are '구직 중' as it can be a sensitive topic if they have been searching for a long time without success.

Similar to 'job hunting' but more formal. In English, we might say 'I'm looking for work,' but in Korean, '구직 중' is the standard professional status.

Dramas like 'Misaeng' depict the harsh reality of those who 구직하다. The song 'Bravo, My Life!' often encourages those who are 구직 중. News segments on 'N-po generation' (those giving up on things due to job shortages).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Job Fair

구직 등록을 하고 싶어요.
구직 상담을 받을 수 있나요?
구직 정보를 어디서 보나요?
적극적으로 구직 중입니다.

With Career Counselors

구직 전략을 세워주세요.
구직 기간이 길어지고 있어요.
해외 구직을 희망합니다.
구직 활동 보고서를 썼어요.

Writing a Resume

구직 동기
구직 희망 분야
구직 희망 지역
구직 목적

Talking to Friends

너 아직도 구직 중이야?
구직하기 너무 힘들다.
어디로 구직할 거야?
구직 사이트 추천해 줘.

News/Media

청년 구직난 심화
구직자 100만 명 돌파
정부 구직 지원금
구직 시장의 변화

Conversation Starters

"요즘 어떤 분야에서 구직하고 계세요? (What field are you job hunting in these days?)"

"구직할 때 가장 중요하게 생각하는 조건이 뭐예요? (What is the most important condition for you when job hunting?)"

"한국에서 구직하는 것이 외국인에게 얼마나 어려울까요? (How difficult do you think it is for foreigners to job hunt in Korea?)"

"구직 사이트 중에서 어디가 제일 유용한 것 같아요? (Which job search site do you think is the most useful?)"

"구직 기간 동안 스트레스를 어떻게 관리하시나요? (How do you manage stress during the job-seeking period?)"

Journal Prompts

내가 원하는 꿈의 직장에 구직하기 위해 오늘 한 일을 적어보세요. (Write about what you did today to seek a job at your dream workplace.)

구직 과정에서 가장 힘들었던 순간과 그것을 극복한 방법. (The hardest moment in the job-seeking process and how you overcame it.)

10년 후의 나는 어떤 모습으로 구직자들에게 조언을 해줄까요? (What advice would I give to job seekers 10 years from now?)

구직할 때 연봉과 워라밸 중 무엇이 더 중요한지 이유를 쓰세요. (Write about why salary or work-life balance is more important when job hunting.)

내가 만약 구직 사이트를 만든다면 어떤 기능을 넣고 싶은지 설명하세요. (Explain what features you would include if you were to create a job search website.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

구직 is the process of looking for a job (seeking), while 취업 is the successful result of getting a job (employment). You are a 구직자 while searching and a 취업자 once you are hired.

Yes, but it sounds very formal. For part-time jobs, most Koreans say '알바를 구하다' or '알바를 찾다'. Use 구직하다 when you want to sound professional or are talking about a career.

It is common in professional contexts, news, and official documents. In casual talk with friends, people often use the phrase '일자리 구하고 있어' instead.

You can say '현재 구직 중입니다' (I am currently in the middle of job seeking) or '구직하고 있습니다'.

구직난 (求職難) means 'job search difficulty' or 'job shortage.' It refers to a situation where it is very hard for people to find employment.

Both are correct. '구직하다' is more common as a single verb, while '구직을 하다' emphasizes the noun '구직' (the act of seeking).

It is a job search website or portal, like Saramin, JobKorea, or LinkedIn.

Yes, but it's more specific to say '이직을 위해 구직하다' (job hunting to change jobs).

It is a 'job-seeking allowance' or unemployment benefit provided by the government to help people while they are looking for work.

There isn't a direct slang verb, but people use '취준' (short for 취업 준비) to describe the whole lifestyle of being a job seeker.