My Hotel Job Hunt Before Heading Overseas

So I’m 19 and currently in this culinary training program. I really want to go on a Working Holiday visa soon, but I’m still a student with no real experience. The thought is that I should probably get a few years of practical experience in Korea first before trying my luck abroad. I’m planning on getting all the necessary certifications, like the “Hanyang Jungil” (this is a common term for certain food handler permits in Korea, though the exact name might vary), but I’m not sure if getting a hotel job right at 20, even without much prior experience, is realistic for working holiday purposes. It feels like a lot of the job postings I’ve seen, even for entry-level stuff, mention needing some kind of experience.

I saw this article snippet about a “2026 Korea Challenge Cup International Culinary Competition” happening in May. They mentioned the association plans to run a job matching program linked with luxury hotels in Korea, franchise restaurants, and even overseas restaurant networks. It got me thinking about how that might work. Participants don’t just show their skills, but there’s also recruitment consultation, internships, and actual job placements. That sounds pretty good, but it’s a competition, not exactly an easy entry point for someone just looking to get their foot in the door. The article also vaguely mentions overseas markets going in the same direction for some kind of ‘K-Memorial’ industry, which is a bit of a tangent, but it makes me wonder if there’s a general trend of Korean hospitality skills being recognized elsewhere.

I also came across some other random bits. There was a mention of Shinhan Financial getting an ‘A’ from ISS ESG, being the only one in Asia. And then a whole thing about a job fair in Busan called ‘Hana JOB Matching Festa in Busan’ back in April. Our bank, Woori Bank, even held a ‘US Investment Briefing’ to support companies going overseas. It’s all connected to jobs and international stuff, but not directly helpful for my situation. There was also a weird historical tidbit about someone staging an argument to get a job back in 1935. Not sure what to make of that, other than people have always found ways to get ahead.

What’s making me hesitate is that even for positions that seem basic, like a waiter or a barista, it feels like you need some background. I remember reading about the global funeral service market being projected to reach $82.6 billion by 2026, and how places like the Pentagon and other memorials in the US are clustered with hotels and food services. That’s a whole different industry, but it points to how hospitality services are everywhere, supporting major sites. So, if I could just get a year or two of solid experience in a decent hotel kitchen or restaurant here, maybe that would make applying for jobs in places like Australia or Canada for a working holiday much smoother. It feels like a necessary step, even if it delays the fun part.