"Blind hiring" to tackle South Korea's preferential job market
Sadly, there are still some sectors in India where one's personal connection takes precedence over capabilities. Somebody influential in the family chooses his kin who could be unfit for a job, while those better suited are overlooked. This anomaly costs the economy dearly. It's about time that India implements what South Korea's president is mulling on doing in his country. Here's all about it.
What's being done?
South Korea's president Moon Jae-in intends to redesign the country's job application process. What the president has in mind is "blind hiring," a method that eliminates the use of privileges and connections when it comes to seeking employment. It also eradicates the possibility of prospective employees getting rejected due to their physical appearances, a phenomenon rapidly taking root in the country.
An equal chance for all deserving candidates
Moon Jae-in while announcing his plans said, "Except in special cases where a job requires a certain level of education or meeting certain physical requirements, job application forms should not require discriminatory factors such as education background, hometown, and physical condition." This would give job applicants from minor universities the same chance as those hailing from prestigious universities due to the privileged backgrounds.
Looks matter more than degrees
Bulaindu chaeyong ("blind hiring") is a much-needed move. South Korea's job market in recent times has been plagued by preferential treatment. In a survey, almost 34% of 312 human resources managers agreed that they have given jobs based on looks even if the educational background of the applicant wasn't the best fit and 50% agreed to have rejected candidates because of their appearances.
Things are getting out of hand
It's no wonder that job seekers are now more concerned about physical appearances than other important aspects. In an online community called Dakchigo Employment on Naver, Korea's main Internet portal, millions of job hunters upload their photos to gather comments from others on their looks and their employment chances based on that. Even Korean plastic surgery clinics bank on this aspect to make profits.
The Indian scenario
Thus, without proper reforms, unemployment in Korea could've ballooned to such an extent from which recovery would've been impossible. In India, things are not that severe. However, one cannot deny that there are incidents where discrimination based on physical appearances or preferential treatments to the privileged are being doled out. A preventive measure for this would go a long way in strengthening India's economy.
