Pay cited as most important factor in job hunt: survey

SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Yonhap) -- A growing number of South Koreans say pay is the most
important factor when finding a job, a survey showed Monday, reflecting a change
in overall job-seeking trends amid a protracted economic slowdown.

The survey, conducted by the Statistics Korea, showed that 36.3 percent of the
respondents think pay is the most important factor in choosing a job, up from
31.7 percent three years ago.
Job security came next with 30.4 percent, slightly down from 32.6 percent three
years ago. Aptitude, the company's prospects and a feeling of self-achievement
all followed with 11.3 percent, 7.8 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively, the
report showed.
Younger people aged between 15 and 29 favored government agencies or state-run
companies, with 28.6 percent and 17.6 percent saying they would want to work at
such firms, respectively. The figures compare with 33.5 percent and 11 percent
three years ago.
"Wage and job security have been major decision-making factors for many years but
this year's survey showed a unique trend that the income level has emerged as the
most important factor over job security amid an economic slowdown," an official
of the statistical agency said.
The survey was conducted on a total of 37,000 people aged 15 or older in July,
asking questions in 10 categories including labor, income & consumption, welfare,
education and health, the agency said.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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