Samsung Continues Large-Scale Recruitment Despite Global Economic Recession… 'Samsung Test' Conducted
Despite the global economic downturn, Samsung is the only one of the four major conglomerates to continue its large-scale recruitment, conducting the 'Samsung Test (GSAT)' for hiring new employees in the first half of this year.
The strong commitment of Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who stated, "We will invest more and create better jobs," is reflected in this effort, which is regarded as a proactive measure to secure future talent while also contributing to the stabilization of the youth employment market.
30th Anniversary of the "Samsung Test"… Competing for Future Talent
Samsung announced on the 27th that it conducted the Samsung Job Skills Test (GSAT) for applicants over two days starting on the 26th. This GSAT included participation from 16 affiliates such as Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung SDI, Samsung SDS, Samsung Biologics, Samsung Bioepis, Samsung C&T, Samsung Heavy Industries, Samsung E&A, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Samsung Securities, Cheil Worldwide, S1, and Samsung Welstory.
Samsung began the recruitment process in earnest in March with the opening of application submissions and plans to select final new employees after interviews and health checks in May following the GSAT.
Introduced in 1995, the GSAT is now celebrating its 30th anniversary and evaluates comprehensive thinking abilities and problem-solving skills. This year’s test reportedly included questions related to Samsung's key businesses such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, smartphones, and biopharmaceuticals.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung has transitioned the GSAT to an online format, conducting preliminary gatherings for network checks to enhance the fairness and reliability of the test.
Continuing the Tradition of Large-Scale Recruitment… Strengthening 'Skill-Based' Hiring
Since introducing the recruitment system for the first time in Korea in 1957, Samsung is the only one among the four major conglomerates to continue this practice. It has worked to offer fair and stable employment opportunities to young people and lead the dissemination of a skill-based hiring culture.
In addition, it has established a fair personnel system that does not discriminate based on gender, education level, or nationality, such as introducing recruitment for female college graduates in 1993 and abolishing educational barriers in 1995.
Samsung has also continuously focused on organizational cultural innovations, including the consolidation of job grades, the elimination of tenure requirements, and improvements in evaluation systems.
Protecting 'Youth Jobs' Amid Deteriorating Youth Employment Indicators
Recently, youth employment indicators have been on a downward trend. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the employment rate for young people was 44.5% in March, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points compared to the previous year, while the unemployment rate rose to 7.5%, an increase of 1.0 percentage points. The number of 'inactive' youths, who are neither studying nor seeking work, also increased by 52,000 to 455,000.
In this context, Samsung is taking the lead in creating youth jobs. The number of domestic employees at Samsung Electronics increased by 23% from approximately 105,000 at the end of 2019 to about 129,000 by the end of last year, indicating increased hiring despite management uncertainties and sluggish domestic demand.
This approach reflects the will of Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who has inherited the philosophy of the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee, emphasizing 'talent first'. In his inaugural address in October 2022, he stressed that "the most valued principles since Samsung's founding are talent and technology," and emphasized the need to recruit and cultivate talents who can change the world, regardless of gender or nationality.
Since then, he has reiterated in various official venues that "technical talent is an indispensable core competency" and vowed to create an environment where young technical talents can freely challenge and innovate.
Leading Initiatives for Youth Growth Ecosystems like the 'Samsung Youth SW·AI Academy'
Samsung is actively working not only in direct recruitment but also in the creation of growth ecosystems for young people. A representative project is the 'Samsung Youth SW·AI Academy (SSAFY)'.
SSAFY is a program that provides free education to enhance young people's software competitiveness and operates across five campuses nationwide, including Seoul, Daejeon, Gwangju, Gumi, and Busan. From 2019 to 2024, more than 7,000 participants are expected to complete this program and have secured jobs at over 1,700 companies both domestically and internationally.
Moving forward, Samsung plans to continue investing and hiring based on the "talent first" spirit, leading the stabilization of the youth employment market and enhancing South Korea's technological competitiveness.
Image source: Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics / News1, Photo = Insight, Photo = Samsung Electronics
