Chaebol ramping up recruitment in Q2

Despite expected financial difficulties at home and abroad, major conglomerates in the country are planning to offer more jobs in the second half than in the first six months.

SK Group, the nation’s third-largest conglomerate by assets, said yesterday it will hire 4,500 new entry-level and experienced employees, including high school and university graduates, in the upcoming recruitment season starting from Sept. 3, marking its biggest recruitment drive to date.

SK Chairman Chey Tae-won urged the group’s management to contribute to economic growth by putting as many new hands on the payroll as possible.

The group initially planned to hire 7,000 workers this year, but later raised the target to 7,500.

Of the 4,500 potential new employees in the second half, 2,500 will be entry-level staff and the rest experienced workers.

The group hired 5,000 workers last year, including 1,000 high school graduates.

“As global business conditions worsen, we need to seek growth by fostering a more talented work force,” Chey said. “Hiring outstanding talents will give us a competitive edge,” he added.

The group will hold an event dubbed “SK Talent Festival” on the streets near Hongik University in western Seoul on Sept. 12 and 13, providing a place for future SK employees to consult with the group’s executives and senior employees. They will also have a chance to practice giving presentations.

“In this upcoming recruitment season, we are looking for young talents who enjoy new challenges,” said Cho Don-hyun, a head of the corporate culture division at the group, adding that many will be assigned to new strategic business units.

CJ Group, the nation’s largest food and entertainment conglomerate, also unveiled its second-half employment plan yesterday. The group began hiring 4,400 additional workers from yesterday. It plans to employ 1,630 high school graduates and 1,000 university graduates.

This will make CJ the largest job provider in the country as it will have hired as many as 7,600 workers throughout the year. When completed, CJ will see it edge slightly ahead of SK Group and Hyundai Motor Group.

“CJ Chairman Lee Jay-hyun believes that a good conglomerate should provide more jobs, especially during times of economic hardship,” said a group employee.

By Song Su-hyun [ssh@joongang.co.kr]