Employment Crisis? Why Go to SMEs When You're Good at Using AI

[Financial News] Despite the economic downturn, the demand for AI talent recruitment by companies has actually increased. On the other hand, SME hiring has significantly decreased, indicating a deepening polarization in the job market.
According to JobKorea's '2025 First Half Hiring Trend Report' on the 19th, large company hiring decreased by only 1% compared to the second half of last year, but SMEs plummeted by 8%. This is interpreted as companies shifting to hiring a small number of core talents amid an uncertain business environment.
By employment type, regular job postings decreased by 9%, while contract and intern hiring increased by 3% and 11%, respectively. Companies are expanding non-regular employment to flexibly respond to uncertainties.
In particular, the demand for AI talent has rather increased. Job postings containing AI-related keywords increased by 8% during the same period, reflecting the overall trend of AI transition in the industry. As talents who can flexibly apply AI to work are in the spotlight, providing practical project experience and AI tool support could be a card to enhance job-seeking motivation.
JobKorea suggested three strategies for the second half hiring: △Direct Sourcing (active talent discovery) △Motivation Fit (stimulating job-seeking motivation) △Building a verified talent pool (step-by-step conversion management of interns and contract workers). Although resignations decreased by 22% during the same period, there are still many potential job changers, indicating the need to target suitable talents through outbound hiring.
A JobKorea representative said, "We published the report to provide substantial insights from a hiring perspective for companies going through an era of uncertainty," and added, "We will enhance the transparency of hiring information through market analysis and support rational decision-making for both job seekers and companies."

jimnn@fnnews.com Shin Ji-min Reporter