From TOPIK 6 to Working at a Korean IT Company — Daniil's Story

The Beginning: Learning Programming in Kazakhstan

Daniil (pseudonym) was a computer science graduate from Almaty, Kazakhstan. After working as a frontend developer at a local IT company for 2 years, he became interested in the growth of the Korean IT industry.

"I compared Russian, American, and Korean companies, and I found out that Korea has a high level of technology and actively recruits foreign developers."

Year 1: Self-Studying Korean

While working, he started self-studying Korean in the evenings and on weekends. He studied consistently, averaging 2 hours per day.

Resources used:

• Talk To Me In Korean (free grammar lessons)
• Anki (vocabulary memorization)
• Korean dramas (with subtitles → without subtitles)
• Discord Korean conversation groups

After 1 year, achieved TOPIK Level 3.

Year 2: Korean Language School + TOPIK Level 6

Decided to come to Korea and study seriously. Enrolled at the University of Seoul Korean Language Institute for 1 year.

• Language school tuition + living expenses: approx. KRW 20,000,000
• Covered with savings + family support
• Achieved TOPIK Level 6 within 1 year

"While at the language school, I kept researching the Korean IT industry. I made a list of major companies and startups like Naver, Kakao, Coupang, and Toss."

Year 3: Job Hunting → Offer

With TOPIK Level 6 + 5 years of development experience, he applied to 20 Korean IT companies.

Application strategy:

1. Direct messages to Korean IT recruiters on LinkedIn
2. Sign up for Wanted, JobKorea, Saramin
3. Update GitHub profile (including Korean README)
4. Prepare for technical interviews (in Korean)

5 companies requested interviews → Final offers from 2 → Chose a startup in Pangyo

E-7 Visa Issuance

After receiving the job offer, applied for E-7 visa (specific activities). Required documents:

• Employment contract
• Company business registration certificate
• Degree certificate (apostille)
• Career certificate
• TOPIK score certificate

Review period: approx. 3 weeks. Moved to Korea after visa issuance.

Now — Developer at a Pangyo Startup

Daniil currently works as a senior frontend developer at a fintech startup in Pangyo. Annual salary is KRW 75,000,000 pre-tax.

"I use Korean and English mixed every day. About 80% of my colleagues are Korean, but technical terms are mostly in English. There are still moments in meetings where I don't fully understand everything, but I'm gradually improving."

Daniil's Advice — For Developers Seeking Employment

1. TOPIK Level 4 or higher: Advantageous in E-7 visa screening
2. Technical skills come first: If your skills are outstanding, you can get hired even with weaker Korean
3. Prepare for English interviews: If it's a global team, the interview may be in English
4. Target startups: More open to foreigners than large corporations
5. Use LinkedIn: Korean recruiters search on LinkedIn
6. Portfolio + GitHub: The core of proving your technical ability

Reference: Jobs Foreigners Can Do in Korea

• IT/Software developer
• English/Chinese/Russian language teacher
• Designer (UX/UI, graphic)
• Translator/interpreter
• Office work at foreign companies
• Global marketing specialist