By Kang Seung-woo
Staff reporter
Korea's job market has in the past been peculiar with big firms recruiting new employees en masse from fresh college graduates.
Now, that hiring practice is changing.
Big firms are tending to give more consideration to work experience, increasing their quota of new recruits from interns who have proven their ability during temporary employment. In other cases, capable interns are given preferential treatment, when they apply for permanent positions.
Major corporations have begun announcing hiring specifications of late, and distinctly beefed up the number of internships.
SK Group will pick half of its expected 700 new employees via internships.
The conglomerate, which encompasses telecommunications to oil refineries in its business scope, will compile reports on new personnel needs from its subsidiaries and hire interns in accordance with the demand.
Because of an emphasis on hiring from interns, their selection process has been tightened.
The aptitude of an applicant for skills required for a given subsidiary will be evaluated together with verbal English skills. The process will last for two days.
"Job hunters need to improve their ability to execute given tasks," an SK spokesman said.
POSCO will hire about 200 new workers through its internship program. The steel maker will select 400 interns between June and August and train them for three weeks before assigning them.
The firm is considering extending the system to all its subsidiaries.
Financial and public enterprises are also implementing this shift in hiring practices.
Woori Financial Group has decided to select 2,500 interns this year, 300 more than in 2009.
Kookmin Bank will choose 2,200 for internship and superior interns will be given preferential treatment in recruitment.
While the government is planning to hire 20 to 30 percent of interns as permanent workers, Korea Railroad will take on 500 interns this month, 100 of whom will eventually get full-time jobs.
``Paper- or interview-based selections have their limits, but internship programs can offer a chance to make sure if they are eligible for jobs,’’ said Career, a recruiting Web site.
``Job seekers used internships to compile experience helpful in finding a position, but now they need to apply as the final hurdle to employment.’’