Work

1. What kinds of jobs are most respected in your country

   여러분의 나라에서 가장 존경받는 직업군은 어떤 것들이 있나요?

2. Do you think schools provide enough advice and support for future careers?

    여러분은 학교가 학생들의 미래의 직업을 위한 조언과 지원을 충분히 제공하고 있다고 생각하나요?

3. Do you agree that salaries should reflect the level of contribution a person makes?

   여러분은 급여가 기여도를 반영해야 한다는 것에 동의하나요?

4. Do you think more people will work from home in the future?

   미래에는 더 많은 사람들이 재택근무를 하게 될까요?

5. Which would you prefer: to have a sole career or various kinds of work experience?

   하나의 직업을 갖는 것과 여러 종류의 직업경력을 갖는 것 중 어떤 것을 선호하나요?

6. Can you tell me some advantages of having diverse work experience?

   여러 종류의 직업 경력을 갖는 것에 대한 장점을 이야기 해보세요.

7. Do you think occupational training is useful for students?

   학생들에게 직업교육을 시키는 것이 좋을까요?

8. How can we help students prepare themselves for a better future?

   학생들이 더 나은 미래를 위해 스스로 준비하도록 하기 위해 어떻게 도울 수 있을까요?

9. What are the characteristics of good employees and employers?

   좋은 직원과 고용주의 특징에는 어떤 것들이 있나요?

10. What are the benefits and shortcomings of being a manager?

      매니저가 되는 것에 대한 장점과 단점에는 어떤 것들이 있을까요?

11. Do you think teamwork is important?

     여러분은 팀워크가 중요하다고 생각하나요?

12. Which is more important, a good salary or a job you enjoy?

      만족할만한 급여를 받는 것과 원하는 직업을 가지는 것 중 무엇이 더 중요한가요?

< Sample answer >

1. What kinds of jobs are most respected in your country?

Right…I guess Koreans generally respect jobs such as doctors and lawyers because... those jobs require special qualifications which are difficult to obtain. I mean, you need to spend many years studying and pass national exams. And… I suppose another reason is those professions have a beneficial influence on society. I mean, doctors save lives and lawyers fight crime. So basically those occupations are admired in Korea.  

2. Do you think schools provide enough advice and support for future careers?
Well… I’d say no, generally they don’t. Most schools don’t have a careers advisor who students can ask for advice about jobs, and there are no work placement schemes for pupils to get a taste of different careers… Instead, schools tend to focus on getting good grades, because good results let students enter prestigious universities which you need to attend to get a good job. So no, in general, there isn’t enough support.

3. Do you agree that salaries should reflect the level of contribution a person makes?
I agree to a certain degree, because an incentive system has been proven to be effective for increasing business performance and productivity. I mean, recognising employees’ performance can be very motivating. Also, it can increase job satisfaction and create a friendly competitive environment. For example, I recently got a raise because I worked hard, and I wouldn’t have been as motivated without the prospect of a pay rise. So yeah, basically I agree. 

4. Do you think more people will work from home in the future?
I reckon it depends on the job. Some people like translators or web designers can easily work from home by communicating via email or instant messenger… But for people in other professions, it can be more difficult... Since you can’ t communicate face-to-face with your boss or colleagues, communication can be less smooth… And you might be less productive because you’re not in a working environment. So really, I think some people will work from home, and others won’t.  

5. Which would you prefer: to have a sole career or various kinds of work experience?
Well… I’d have to say a single profession. If you pursue one career, you can focus on the things you need to learn, which could make you more professional and specialised. You can also advance more quickly because you don’t need to waste time learning unnecessary skills and knowledge. And…as a specialist, you can earn a higher salary because you have expert knowledge and are highly sought after. So, I think I’d prefer to have a sole career.

6. Can you tell me some advantages of having diverse work experience?

Right… Having diverse work experience increases people’s ability to cope with many different situations in the workplace. You can also increase soft skills like teamwork, communication skills and awareness. Also, it will help you when you make a long term career choice. I mean, you can try many different jobs and find what really suits you. You can gain the knowledge and skills that you need to hit the ground running and become more attractive employee.

7. Do you think occupational training is useful for students?

Erm, occupational training is very beneficial for students, in my opinion. One of the advantages of vocational training is that it offers students the chance to experience a real work environment. Students can learn what it’s like to take on responsibilities in the workplace, which will help them greatly after graduation. Another advantage is that they can gain practical skills that can be used in a job immediately. This will make them more attractive to employers when they look for a job after graduation. So…For those reasons, I think job training is important for students.

8. How can we help students prepare themselves for a better future?
OK… What’s that saying again? Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a life time. I mean, we need to teach them how to be proactive and support themselves rather than doing things for them. A lot of Korean students have a passive attitude and some lack confidence because they were overly protected by their parents…I believe we should let them be more creative and independent. We can also create a more accepting environment for them to feel comfortable to do what they really want. So those are a few ways.

9. What are the characteristics of good employees and employers?

Ok, there are several features…As for employees, they need to cooperate with other colleagues to complete tasks on time and to a satisfactory level. They also need to work well independently and be productive without needing too much motivation. In terms of being a good employer, you need to know how to set realistic but ambitious targets for employees. Also, it’s essential to have a fair and clear evaluation system. I think those are the characteristics of effective employees and employers.

10. What are the benefits and shortcomings of being a manager?

I’d say there are a few advantages and disadvantages…In terms of benefits, you’d be getting a higher pay. Also, it’d probably be more stimulating, since you would face more challenges and wield greater power in decision-making. That said, it could be stressful to have more responsibilities. I mean, managers need to oversee operations all the time and guide people to do their job more effectively. That must take a lot of time and effort – it must be quite draining. So there are a few advantages and disadvantages.

11. Do you think teamwork is important?
Yeah, absolutely. Teamwork is a vital part of jobs within companies… Effective teamwork can increase work productivity and performance, and also it could create a synergy effect. Hmm... sports teams are a good example of that. Sports teams show very poor results when they work poorly as a team, and exceptional results when they cooperate well. Likewise, teamwork is crucial in the workplace, too. So yeah, it’s important.

12. Which is more important, a good salary or a job you enjoy?

OK… I’d have to go for a job I enjoy. I think job satisfaction is a key factor in your quality of life. I mean, you spend most of your time working, so if you’re not happy with your profession, you probably won’t be content with your life. On top of that, the more you enjoy your job, the more productive you will be and the better you will perform, which might increase your chances of a pay rise or promotion. So I’d pick a job I enjoy any day.

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