Samsung, Permanent Online GSAT Implementation

Proceeding Regardless of COVID-19... Solving the Issue of Massive Social Costs

Samsung Job Aptitude Test (GSAT) kit for test takers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Samsung Group will conduct the Samsung Aptitude Test (GSAT), a written exam for open recruitment, online regardless of the future spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to industry sources on the 2nd, recruitment officers of Samsung Group affiliates recently held a meeting and tentatively concluded to make the online GSAT a regular practice in new employee open recruitment.

Samsung has been concerned about the enormous social costs caused by large-scale on-site exams while conducting the GSAT, commonly called the "Samsung Exam." Since tens of thousands of test-takers had to gather at test centers nationwide to take the exam, there was a significant cost burden for both the examinees and the company. It is also known that Samsung's management was motivated by the need for recruitment innovation suitable for not only COVID-19 but also the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. An industry insider explained, "Samsung has established a policy to continue utilizing the infrastructure it has invested in for the online GSAT."

As the online GSAT, first introduced in the first half of this year’s open recruitment, was evaluated as successful, it is expected to proceed similarly to the existing method. Before the GSAT held on May 30-31, Samsung provided test kits and applications to candidates in advance, and on the exam day, candidates were filmed taking the test using smartphones, allowing staff to monitor in real time.

Inside Samsung, it is known that they plan to announce recruitment in early to mid-September, conduct document submission and screening, and then hold the online GSAT at the end of October for successful applicants. Samsung recruiters recently encouraged master's degree students and graduates to apply by phone, informing them that the open recruitment would be held in September. Afterward, interviews will be conducted by affiliates for GSAT passers, and the final successful candidates are expected to be announced around the end of the year.

Meanwhile, it appears that Samsung will achieve the employment creation goal of hiring 40,000 people over three years, promised by Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong in August 2018. Samsung has hired more than 30,000 people up to the first half of this year. A Samsung Electronics official said, "We expect to achieve the plan to hire 40,000 people by the end of the year, including the second half open recruitment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.