AI-powered mock interviews and virtual reality (VR) career experiences are gaining ground as methods of preparing for employment among job seekers in the Incheon area. Incheon’s Dong-gu District (Mayor Kim Chan-jin) announced that on the 24th it held the ‘2026 Third Dong-gu Job Special Lecture’ for job seekers in the district at JEI University. The program is designed to help job seekers respond in practical terms to a rapidly changing hiring environment.
 [The Korean Today] Job seekers taking part in the AI mock interview program at Incheon Dong-gu’s Third Job Special Lecture © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
A total of 19 job seekers from the Dong-gu and Jung-gu areas took part in the lecture. Rather than simply providing employment information, it was structured around hands-on experience and practice, placing emphasis on raising participants’ capabilities for use in actual job-hunting settings.
The main program was run along two tracks. First, a VR-device career experience allowed participants to explore information on various occupations in a lifelike way, followed by practical interview practice using an AI mock interview system.
In particular, the AI mock interview program recreated actual interview situations so that participants could objectively review their own interview demeanor and the content of their answers and receive immediate feedback on the spot. It drew a strong response from participants in that it allowed them to verify, through data, the facial expressions, speech habits and answering tendencies that are normally difficult to recognize on one’s own.
One participant said, “Through the AI mock interview, I was able to objectively check interview habits and answering tendencies that I had not previously been aware of, which was very useful,” adding, “It was a great help in preparing for an actual interview.”
Dong-gu Mayor Kim Chan-jin said, “We are operating various employment support programs so that job seekers can respond effectively to the changing hiring environment,” adding, “Even after the launch of Jemulpo-gu on July 1, we will continue to expand tailored employment support services for job seekers and do our utmost to enhance the employment competitiveness of local residents.”
The lecture carries added significance in coming just before a reorganization of administrative districts. In line with the launch of Jemulpo-gu on July 1, Dong-gu plans to reorganize and reopen the existing Dong-gu Job Center as the Jemulpo-gu Job Center. The new center intends to seamlessly continue the employment support services it has provided to date — including employment counseling, job lectures, links to vocational training and job placement — and to keep serving as a partner in employment for local job seekers.
With the introduction of AI interviews spreading rapidly in the hiring market, the public sector’s provision of free, practice-oriented employment programs like this is expected to be of real help to young people and job seekers facing heavy cost burdens. The fact that a local employment support network will be maintained even as administrative districts change is also seen as offering residents a sense of stability.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
Become a Local Ambassador Apply as Branch Director The Korean Today — Nam-Incheon
 |
Leave a Reply