Jobs open for 14,000 college grads

During the second half of this year, 14,000 college graduates are expected to find entry-level jobs throughout the nation.

The expected number is a 20% increase in comparison to the same period last year, with the three largest conglomerates Hyundai, Samsung and LG, accounting for 60% of the openings. The figures came from a study by www.jobkorea.co.kr, a career information portal site that conducted a survey of job openings at 30 major groups.

All companies but Samsung will hire new personnel without an entrance exam, but through resumes, applications and interviews. Most of the companies plan to hire new employees throughout the period, as qualified applicants are found.

Samsung plans to hire about 2,500 new personnel, an increased number in comparison to the 1,700 for second half last year. While giving much of the hiring procedure over to the discretion of individual branches, Samsung might still consider a one-time hiring drive, especially for the internet-related business and of the four major groups, will be the only one to require the applicants to take entrance exams.

LG plans to hire 3,000 entry-level personnel, an increase from last year's 1,800. To strengthen it's information and communication branch and the biotechnology unit, LG plans to hire 900 persons in the field of electronics, 500 in chemistry and another 500 for LG-EDS. The hiring will take place throughout the period, with applications being accepted through the Internet.

Hyundai increased its expected number of new hires to about 3,000, and Hyundai Electronics, which did not hire last year, will hire about 1,000 persons this year. Hyundai plans to hire throughout the year, as well as conduct a one-time hiring drive. The spun-off branches of Hyundai Group, Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors, plan to hire 300 new employees each.

SK plans to hire about 500 persons and will make its hiring choices through a one-time hiring drive, the only one to do so out of the four major conglomerates. Applicants will be required to submit their resumes through the internet and should include recommendation letters by their schools' presidents.

Park Joong-Hyun sanjuck@donga.com