Informational interview

sorry for the late post :)


Informational Interview
While searching for an appropriate candidate for my informational interview, I found out that my father has some connections through Hyundai motors. Thanks to his help, it wasn’t difficult for me to find somebody to interview with.

My interviewee was Harry Eum from Hyundai motor company in Washington office. He is a deputy director of strategic department. I have asked him some questions and very gently he has answered me back with sincerity.

I started off with the first question asking him that how he had first entered to this industry.
He replied me back that he has entered Hyundai motor not because he had great interest on automotive industry, but on a very casual incidence. He told me when he was looking for a job, there was a recruiting booth installed at school when he was a senior. He achieved lots of information from the recruiting booth and he also added he felt the company was attracting because they told him he could have a chance to study in the U.S for the MBA programme by the support from the company when being employed. “Hyundai motor encourages employees who want to study more especially abroad like the MBA programmes in the U.S. They support you well enough when you actually decide to continue study, and well of course they expect from you more when returning back to their company” said Eum.

Moreover, I also asked some questions about which I had been curious about. I wanted to hear how Hyundai actually thinks of their brand image here in the U.S. Frankly saying, I have heard that Hyundai motor’s image here in the U.S is relatively cheap and low rated car compared to other foreign vehicles such as vehicles from Japan or Germany. He partially agreed with this opinion however he added some comments contrast to this statement as well. He said that in the past days, around 4-5 years ago, it was true that Hyundai had such an image of the company. However, selling vehicles in low prices compared to the other companies was part of their strategy to enter the market, and nowadays the perception from the market is changing compared to the olden days. It is now beginning to accept the Hyundai product with a fine quality, design and especially great with mileage. He also remarked that there is still a huge potent lying here in the U.S for Hyundai motors which they will try to focus more with new strategy and products to the market.

After his interview, I really felt proud of the company since my hometown company seemed to be doing great in the foreign market. Also I have felt that it would be interesting to see how Hyundai motors would try to input their new full luxury car models into the U.S markets. Overall, it was a pleasure interview and great experience for me as well and I would just hope this informational interview would help me and my teammates for the final paper as well.


Info of the interviewee
HARRY EUM
Deputy Director
Hyundai Motor Company Washington Office
1660 L Street, NW, Suite620, Washington, DC 20036
Phone)202 296 5550
email : hseum@hyundai.com