Chip maker puts application forms in more than 4,000 stores in Taiwan to attract 600 new line workers It’s not easy finding good help these days. That’s why the world’s largest contract chip maker has turned to 7-Eleven to help find new chip production line workers.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) placed application forms in all of more than 4,000 7-Eleven convenience stores in Taiwan this week, hoping to attract 600 new line workers for its semiconductor factories, a company representative said Friday.It’s the company’s latest creative venture in seeking new employees. Earlier this year, TSMC worked with Taiwan’s railway administration to put company executives on a decorated train car and travel around the island to meet with prospective job candidates. Finding qualified workers isn’t a huge problem in Taiwan, but stiff competition among chip makers, LCD (liquid crystal display) producers and other companies means they have to be creative to attract the best candidates, a representative from TSMC said.The company had originally planned to hire 3,000 people this year, but found that wasn’t enough, so they’ve revised the search to 3,600 for the year. So far, the company has hired 2,800 workers, including line technicians and engineers. TSMC wants 600 more line workers and a few hundred more engineers, the representative said.The company reckons around half of the line workers it will hire this year will be women, and it is encouraging more women to apply for the positions. Applicants can pick up the required forms at 7-Eleven stores throughout Taiwan, then fill them out and fax or mail them to a career magazine TSMC is working with on the project, the company said. Individuals who meet TSMC’s criteria will be invited in for interviews. Technology Industry