2025 H1 New Grad Benchmarks: GPA 3.68, TOEIC 848

In the entry-level job market for the first half of 2024, applicants' average qualifications were found to have significantly improved. According to JasoSeol.com data from Remember & Company, the average GPA was 3.68 out of 4.5, the average TOEIC score was 848, and individuals held an average of 2.4 certifications. A notable change was observed in the language score gap between humanities/social sciences and STEM majors. While the average TOEIC score for humanities/social sciences applicants slightly decreased to 862 (down 6 points from the previous year), STEM applicants saw a noticeable increase to 830 (up 9 points from the previous year). This is analyzed as a reflection of the growing importance of global collaboration in STEM fields. Changes were also detected in the certification possession status. While Computer Literacy Level 1 and Korean History Proficiency Test Level 1 still held top positions, ADSP (Advanced Data Analytics Semi-Professional) and SQLD (SQL Developer), which demonstrate data analysis capabilities, rose to 4th and 5th place respectively, highlighting a significant surge in data-related certifications. This increase in qualifications is interpreted as a result of the interplay between changes in the recruitment market and job seekers' strategic responses. The expansion of job-focused rolling recruitment by companies demands talent that can be immediately deployed for practical work, triggering a closer evaluation of applicants' capabilities. Furthermore, job seekers' desire to maintain constant readiness in anticipation of unpredictable rolling recruitments also contributed to the improvement in qualifications. The intensified job competition is also confirmed by figures. Job seeking activity in the first half of 2025 also significantly increased compared to the previous year, demonstrating intensified competition. The number of job posting views increased by 15.7% to approximately 72.24 million, and the number of self-introductions (cover letters/personal statements) written increased by 10.5% to approximately 1.27 million. This suggests that job seekers' efforts to quantitatively strengthen their qualifications to overcome limited opportunities are accelerating.