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Jobseekers criticize KB Kookmin Bank over excessive requirements

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KB Kookmin Bank's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul / Korea Times File
KB Kookmin Bank's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul / Korea Times File

By Lee Hyo-jin

KB Kookmin Bank has upset many jobseekers over its recent job opening announcement for its excessive demands and challenging tasks from the initial stage of the recruitment process, Thursday.

Applicants were required to complete two additional assignments apart from uploading their resume and cover letter and completing an artificial intelligence (AI) interview.

The first task was to present a proposal report of three to five pages on the topic "Strategies to enhance KB Kookmin's digital competency." Their reports were to include assessments on the bank's mobile apps and ways to improve them.

Another task was to take a 24-hour online course on the Test of Practical Competency in ICT (TOPCIT), based on which the company will conduct a written exam in November as part of the recruitment process.
KB Kookmin Bank's recruitment announcement posted on Tuesday was criticized by jobseekers for its excessive requirements. / Screen capture from KB Kookmin Bank website
KB Kookmin Bank's recruitment announcement posted on Tuesday was criticized by jobseekers for its excessive requirements. / Screen capture from KB Kookmin Bank website

As the assignments are due on Oct. 5, applicants must complete them within 12 days. The bank will then choose applicants for the written exam set on Nov. 7. Those with high scores on the exam will be shortlisted to for interviews at the end of November.

The tasks given at the initial stage of the recruitment process mounted pressure on jobseekers, who are already facing enough challenges in the overall hiring process.

"When I first read the announcement, I thought I had misread it, or the company had confused requirements for the bankers with the IT position," a jobseeker surnamed Hong said.

Another jobseeker who plans to apply for the position said, "I don't understand why they demand digital skills from people who apply for banker positions when many of us have unrelated educational backgrounds."

Some applicants expressed frustration in an internet community widely used by jobseekers, with about 300,000 members.

"The company is evidently seeking to get business ideas through the proposals," read a comment.

"I already feel discouraged imagining that the time and effort I put into the assignments will be in vain if I fail to pass the first stage," another user said.

Following the feedback, the bank modified the requirements on Wednesday. The proposal report will only be assigned to those who reach the interview stage. The online classes on TOPCIT are not mandatory, but applicants are advised to take the course to prepare for the written exam.

"The purpose of the additional tasks was to assess the applicants' basic knowledge on digital services, as the banking sector is currently undergoing rapid digital transformation," a KB Kookmin official told The Korea Times.

"We understand the hardships jobseekers are facing, and appreciate the applicants' great interest in our recruitment."


Lee Hyo-jin lhj@koreatimes.co.kr


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