[Edaily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] SK hynix is overhauling its recruitment process to select new hires based on their ability to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and their critical thinking skills in identifying the root causes of problems.

SK hynix announced on the 30th that it will accept applications for its rolling recruitment of new employees from the 20th to the 26th of next month. The recruitment covers a wide range of key positions, including design, device engineering, research and development (R&D) processes, and mass production technology, with work locations in Icheon, Cheongju, Bundang, and Seoul.

This recruitment cycle will implement the policy to abolish educational requirements announced last June. The company plans to evaluate applicants based on job competencies and problem-solving skills, without imposing separate restrictions on age or educational background.

The most significant change is the introduction of a “half-day in-depth interview.” While previous interviews lasted around 20 to 30 minutes, the revised selection process requires applicants to complete a task and participate in an in-depth interview over the course of half a day. This allows for a comprehensive assessment of job-specific expertise, AI application skills, humanities literacy, and logical thinking.

This aligns with the ideal talent profile for the AI era that SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won has consistently emphasized. Chairman Choi previously stated, “In the AI era, talent capable of designing new systems and societies where humans and AI coexist across diverse fields will become increasingly important,” and emphasized that “the ability to independently question and think about the essence of a problem—‘thinking muscles’—is crucial.”

The application screening process also departs from the traditional self-introduction-centered approach. SK hynix is eliminating the existing self-introduction questions and introducing a new form where applicants must specifically describe their AI application capabilities and semiconductor job expertise. The purpose is to assess applicants’ potential to apply AI to actual work and solve on-site problems, rather than relying on a formal self-introduction.

The recruitment information sessions will shift from a university-campus-centered approach to a regional hub model. Sessions will be held in four regions—Seoul, Cheongju, Daegu, and Gwangju—offering participation opportunities not only to students at specific universities but also to teenagers and job seekers interested in the semiconductor industry.

SK hynix will also host an “AI Hackathon Competition” in the fourth quarter to solve real-world semiconductor challenges using AI. Participants will be tasked with implementing software or algorithmic models to solve problems within a limited timeframe. Top-performing participants will receive “fast-track” benefits, including exemption from the initial document screening and direct access to interviews.

An SK hynix official stated, “We have revamped our recruitment system to assess applicants’ fundamental problem-solving abilities and practical skills,” adding, “We will actively recruit and nurture talent with strong critical thinking skills and the ability to apply AI.”