Buoyed by the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor boom, SK hynix and Samsung Electronics ranked first and second, respectively, as the corporations where job seekers most want to work. The presence of semiconductor and manufacturing conglomerates has grown, replacing information technology (IT) and platform corporations that were once highly favored in the hiring market.
JOBKOREA, which operates a job posting and job search site, said on the 9th it released the "2026 corporations preference report," analyzing a survey of 3,287 job seekers and job seeker behavior data on its platform. SK hynix ranked No. 1 as the corporation where job seekers "want to start working right away." No. 2 was Samsung Electronics. Naver, Toss, Hyundai Motor, Amorepacific, Google, Kakao, and Nexon were among the top ranks.
According to JOBKOREA, Kakao, which was No. 1 in the same survey five years ago, fell to No. 8 this year. Meanwhile, SK hynix, which was No. 5 in 2022, rose to No. 1 this year. Samsung Electronics has consistently stayed within the top one or two since 2021.
Compensation was found to be the most considered criterion when job seekers choose corporations. The most cited reason for selecting a preferred corporation was "salary and performance bonus" at 32%. Benefits accounted for 15%, potential for job growth 13%, and corporate brand and recognition 10%.
The same trend appeared in preferred welfare programs. The most preferred benefit among job seekers was performance bonuses and incentives at 23.2%. Generous vacation policies accounted for 17.8%, and meal allowances 16.8%. The results suggest a preference for corporations with clear compensation levels and criteria over those that simply offer many welfare items.
A JOBKOREA official said, "Corporation preference is an indicator that shows both the industry outlook and market expectations of the time," adding, "Through five years of change, we can see how job seekers' views of the hiring market have shifted." The official also noted, "Job seekers' interest, once centered on IT and platforms, has moved toward expectations for growth prospects and stability in manufacturing, including semiconductors."
The hiring market's preference for semiconductors is also affecting college admissions. According to an analysis by MegaStudyEdu of provisional scoring results from the June mock exam, the predicted cutoff for applying to semiconductor contract departments in the 2027 academic year is a combined 288 points in Korean, math, and inquiry subjects. That is similar to Korean medicine schools and higher than pharmacy schools. Contract departments are programs operated under agreements between corporations and universities, and graduates are often connected to employment at the respective corporations.
SK hynix also ranked near the top in employee evaluations. In Jobplanet's "Top 10 large corporations to work for," released based on reviews from current and former employees of domestic conglomerates over the past year, SK hynix earned high marks in pay and benefits, in-house culture, and support for the chief executive officer (CEO), taking the overall No. 1 spot.