Mountain climbing interviews are refined... Unique hiring processes involving scent and taste tests

"Efforts to Discover Talent Through Multi-Faceted Evaluation"
"Is It Necessary to Do That When Busy?" Tension Rises
Non-Face-to-Face Interviews Using AI and Metaverse Also Implemented

An industrial manufacturing company recently sparked heated debate in online communities for conducting a 'hiking interview' during its recruitment process. Opinions were sharply divided between those who saw it as a "process to select the type of talent the company desires" and those who called it "anachronistic."

However, it is not uncommon for companies to include unique procedures in their hiring processes. Outdoor brand Black Yak conducts hiking interviews where applicants and interviewers wear hiking gear and complete missions during the hike. Considering the brand’s characteristics, this procedure is understandable.

Especially because it allows for a more multidimensional observation of applicants compared to traditional interviews, many domestic companies are implementing unconventional interviews.

Tasting and Smelling... Cooking and Drinking Tests Too

Companies are conducting various unique interviews.
[Image source=Asia Economy]

Food companies conduct various unique interviews to assess applicants’ understanding of food. SPC Group tests taste and smell. Applicants are asked to distinguish concentrations of sugar water and salt or identify scents.

Paldo has applicants taste ramen without brand labels and discuss the flavor. Sempio forms teams of applicants who decide on a concept and cook dishes. The main goal is to evaluate personality and creativity that cannot be judged solely by documents and interviews.

HiteJinro is known for its drinking interviews. In line with the company’s nature, after the first interview, a drinking interview is conducted to learn about personality, values, attitude, and character through conversations with seniors.

Some companies maintain existing interview formats while creating new frameworks.

DL Construction introduced the recently trending 'Reverse Interview' last year. A reverse interview means conducting the interview by switching the roles of interviewer and job seeker. Chungnam Province implemented 'dress code autonomy' during summer civil servant interviews, removing dress restrictions because they believed that applicants’ skills and mindset toward public service should not be influenced by attire.

"Now Meeting via Computer"... Activation of Non-Face-to-Face Interviews

Metaverse interview conducted by Hanwha in 2021. [Photo source=Hanwha Group official website, Hanwha Journal]

Interviews utilizing IT technology have also increased. With the rise of non-face-to-face interviews due to COVID-19, interview methods such as AI interviewers and metaverse have spread. Since interviewers and applicants meet via computer, applicants can reduce unnecessary tension, and time and costs in the hiring process can be significantly lowered.

Additionally, Hanwha TotalEnergies introduced an interview system using the metaverse, and Genesis BBQ announced in 2021 that it would recruit talent using advanced AI competency tests.

AfreecaTV conducts a special screening program called BTB (Be The BJ) after the first interview, where applicants host broadcasts. Applicants become Afreeca BJs themselves, planning and broadcasting content they are interested in and enjoy. Interviewers participate as viewers, communicating with applicants through comments and monitoring the broadcast by sending virtual gifts.

Companies Say "Discovering Talent Through Multidimensional Evaluation"

A manufacturing company conducted a 'hiking' activity during the interview process, and a post stating that they did not apply was uploaded to an online community. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Pixabay] [Image source=Pixabay]

Unconventional interviews differ from traditional and rigid past interviews by involving direct experiences or collaborative processes. This makes it easier to understand personality, teamwork, and creativity that cannot be known from documents alone. Also, unlike general interviews, they take place in various settings, allowing interviewers to assess physical stamina.

A company official said, "In typical face-to-face interviews, it is difficult to conduct comprehensive personality evaluations due to limited time." It is more effective to evaluate applicants’ personalities by giving them various situations and missions and observing how they solve them.

Applicants can also increase their understanding of the company through thorough prior research and indirectly demonstrate their personality and strengths by experiencing practical work rather than relying on quantitative specs and abstract self-introductions.

However, there is also considerable resistance to unconventional interviews. Job seeker A said, "Just hearing about a hiking interview makes me feel breathless," adding, "Preparing for basic interviews is already busy and exhausting, so having to prepare for other things is a huge burden for job seekers."