SK removes photo from applicant forms

Employees walk out of the SK headquarter buidling in Jongro, central Seoul, in this file photo. / Korea Times file

By Kim Bo-eun

SK Group has decided to stop obligating those who seek jobs at the firm to submit their photographs.

“It takes up to 200,000 won for female job seekers to take photos, if you consider the costs of getting make-up and hair done. We wanted to alleviate the cost burden for them,” Cho Hyun-chul, PR team project leader said Thursday.

Cho stated this is as the primary reason, but added that the company “wanted to remove the possibility of evaluating applicants based on prejudices that can arise from their appearance.”

“There really is no need for pictures because we’re not hiring celebrities. The job openings for SK Group do not regard appearance,” he said.

The group has also downsized its section for credentials. Applicants are now only required to specify their academic background and GPA.

It removed the section where applicants fill in foreign language test scores, IT-related skills, experience abroad, awards, and work experience among others.

The firm will only require applicants for certain positions such as in overseas sales and pharmaceutical research to submit language test scores or related certificates.

“We took these measures in order to minimize the cost burden for applicants who are involved in excessive competition to earn the best credentials, and in order for the hiring process to focus more on job-related skills,” the group said.

“For SK Group’s document screening process, personal statements have now become the most important factor.”

SK Group is planning to hire some 500 employees and interns in the first half of this year.