Representatives at foreign companies operating local divisions in Korea say that a strong work drive coupled with assertiveness, adaptability and openness may mean the difference between getting hired or not.

In a series of email interviews with The Korea Herald, representatives from five leading foreign companies in Korea ― ADT Korea, Burson Marsteller, L’Oreal Korea, Pernod Ricard, and Schneider Electric Korea ― said that these personal qualities help candidates shine during the job application process.

“What we look for is someone who is passionate about growing, developing, and learning, open to challenges, client-centric and ambitious but also focused on a spirit of ‘we vs. I,’” said Margaret Key, a market leader at the Korean branch of global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.

Of course, candidates need to first fulfill professional qualifications and prerequisites, according to Pernod Ricard Korea spokesman Moon Jong-won. The company is the Korean unit of Pernod Ricard, one the world’s top spirits and wine producers.

According to Moon, Pernod Ricard Korea places high importance on recruiting those who are able to show potential for demonstrating their expertise and competence in their field. Job seekers’ skills should also match the job description posted by the company in order to boost their chances of getting hired, he said.

A recruitment team manager from security solutions provider ADT Korea also said that the company values assertiveness, a strong work ethic and passion when seeking new recruits, including sales and patrol guard force. ADT Korea holds regularly scheduled, as well as rolling, recruitment sessions for its 67 branches located across the country, according to Baik Nam-ha, a recruitment team manager for the company.

Schneider Electric representative Kang Seok-bo also said the company looks for “passion” and “openness” when selecting new candidates.

Some firms, such as L’Oreal Korea have even developed acronyms to embody the traits it looks for in new recruits.

The acronym is “FACE,” according to Song Ji-young, who works as a communications specialist at the company. She said “F” stands for flexibility, “A” for autonomy, “C” for communication, and “E” for energy. The recruitment process for highly sought after positions at L’Oreal Korea is “highly competitive” year after year, according to Song.

The multinational company is also known for creating a friendly workplace environment for women, according to a company press kit. As of 2011, over 69 percent of L’Oreal Korea’s managerial level employees were female, according to the company.

Interviewees also recommended that novice job seekers, such as college students, look for ways on developing their social skills.

This can include internships, community service work and even part-time jobs, Baik said.

By Renee Park (renee@heraldcorp.com)