Recruitment portal Saramin is among the forward-thinking companies to join the movement, as industry reports say the company began accepting job applications from Monday without asking candidates about their experience, education or foreign-language capabilities. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jun. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — As President Moon has encouraged more employers to embrace anonymous recruitment in both the public and private sectors, to bring about a more equitable society, an increasing number of companies are adopting so-called blind recruitment policies.
Recruitment portal Saramin is among the forward-thinking companies to join the movement, as industry reports say the company began accepting job applications from Monday without asking candidates about their experience, education or foreign-language capabilities.
As the new recruitment process only requires applicants to provide basic information such as name, phone number and a cover letter, employers are expected to get to know candidates in more candid terms.
Food manufacturer Sempio also conducted an open environment recruitment process earlier this year, where candidates weren’t asked about their age, gender, grade, or their major, and were only required to hold a university degree.
Sempio’s final stage of its recruitment process drew public attention for its unique self-explanatory ‘chopstick interview’, where candidates through to the final round were tested for their ability to use chopsticks well, as the company believes having knowledge of and a respectful attitude towards Korean food culture is one of the core values expected in a candidate.
Earlier this year, Jeju Air shortlisted job candidates based on Instagram videos they had submitted, with the winners advancing to the next stage where they were interviewed by executive board members.
While the practice of removing personal information from resumes is proving popular among those who have felt they were treated unfairly while searching for a job, some argue it could be unfair to job seekers who have followed Korean societal norms to polish their credentials and paint themselves as attractive candidates.
In South Korea, where academic background and one’s hometown are of utmost importance when it comes to employment, companies tend to favor graduates from universities in Seoul when hiring new employees.
According to a recent survey by JobKorea, nearly 30 percent of South Korean office workers feel alienated due to their academic background.
As President Moon has encouraged more employers to embrace anonymous recruitment in both the public and private sectors, to bring about a more equitable society, an increasing number of companies are adopting so-called blind recruitment policies. (Image: Yonhap)
Most job seekers approve of the recent shift in recruitment practices, as another survey by Saramin revealed nearly eight in ten respondents said they see it as a positive development.
“Job seekers need to focus on improving their skills and abilities, while employers in both the public and private sectors need to focus on finding the candidate most suitable for the position on offer,” an official at Saramin said.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
