Samsung, the Only New Employee Recruitment Among Top 4 Groups... Lee Jae-yong's 'Talent Management' Philosophy Draws Attention

Starting Today, 10,000 New Hires
19 Affiliates Including Samsung Electronics Participate

As Samsung begins its new employee recruitment from the 11th, the philosophy of "Talent Management" by Chairman Lee Jae-yong is once again drawing attention. Chairman Lee inherited this philosophy from the late founder Lee Byung-chul and the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee, leading organizational innovation within Samsung. Despite last year's poor performance, Samsung attracted attention in the business world by securing future technology talents and providing employment opportunities for young people.

Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics [Photo by Yonhap News]

Since its introduction in 1957, Samsung is the only one among the four major conglomerates to maintain the open recruitment system. This year, about 10,000 new employees will be hired in the first half of the year.

The new employee recruitment is evaluated as reflecting Chairman Lee's will to continue the "Talent Management" philosophy. He often emphasized, "Let's change not only the existing wrong systems and practices but also outdated perceptions," and "Let's boldly fix what is wrong, insufficient, or lacking." It is a message that when innovation is needed, one must actively step forward.

Chairman Lee has repeatedly stressed that securing talent is a process that must not stop for innovation. At a meeting with 15 "2024 Samsung Masters" held at the Seocho building in January, he said, "Technology talent is an indispensable core competitiveness," and "We will create an environment where talents can freely challenge and innovate." In March last year, he visited Gumi Electronics Technical High School and emphasized, "Young technology talents are the driving force of manufacturing competitiveness."

In line with this, Samsung has also strived to implement a capability-centered personnel system. In 1993, it established the country's first open recruitment system for female college graduates, and in 1995, it abolished conventional discrimination by excluding academic background from the employment qualification requirements, leading an open recruitment culture.

Meanwhile, 19 affiliates including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Biologics, and Samsung C&T are participating in this recruitment. Applicants will follow the hiring process starting with the online Samsung Aptitude Test (GSAT) next month after submitting their applications, followed by interviews and health checkups in May. For some job categories such as software development or design, applicants must undergo software competency tests and design portfolio evaluations.