Gaming for Talent?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been the type to sit down and play games. My definition of sport is something that makes me sweat; a physically challenging activity that has me huffing and puffing in the shortest possible time. But a few years ago, I was enticed into a game on Facebook that had me completely addicted. In time, I realized what a waste of time it was and concluded that I would never play another virtual game – ever.

However, my perception of the utility of virtual reality (or lack thereof) has recently been changing. ImmerHire , a virtual game for hiring and assessment, proves that the technology can be put to good use. ImmerHire offers a virtual recruiting space where employers can win the battle to attract and retain the best brains in the market. While recruiters will have the opportunity to evaluate the soft skills of the candidates in a totally immersive atmosphere, they will also have the ability to establish their brand name among the top ‘players’ of the game, which could eventually translate into ‘employer of choice’.

Within the game like console, HR and recruitment professionals will be able to role-play in order to assess the aptness of their candidate. The developers of ImmerHire claim they help bridge the digital divide between applicants and their prospective employers using a psychologically and technologically sound solution.

CEO of ImmerHire Michel M. Denis says, “The time has come when recruiters can bring their assessment center to the place of the best talents (instead of the reverse) … using immersive virtual world technology for serious role-plays.”

The game kicks off by asking you what your company’s biggest recruiting challenges are, and gives you options such as filling positions quickly, negotiating offers, etc… The processes involved are varied and valuable. A few examples include qualifying sales talent, testing logical thinking, determining social skills, assessing organizational skills in a virtual assessment center, evaluating negotiation skills etc.

A recently published article in CNN Money entitled ‘Hiring in a hurry picks up’ by Vickie Elmer says: Last year, the average time from first interview to job offer for a college graduate was 22.5 days, compared to 25 days on average in 2009. The turnaround time is inching closer to 2008 levels (22.2 days), according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Top drawer HR managers are looking to reduce this turnaround time even further because talent isn’t waiting for anyone and competition to hire the best is cut-throat. Another article on BusinessInsider.com (dated December 06, 2011) says it loud and clear: Generation X isn’t impressed with your pension plan and doesn’t have time for your hiring process. Roughly translated that means either you up your game or settle for leftovers.

In addition to reducing hiring time, one of the biggest benefits of virtual reality and gaming based recruitment services promises to be the reduction in recruitment cost per hire for employers. On the other hand, employees get the opportunity to stay in touch with HR personnel from around the globe all year round whether they’re job hunting or not. If you’re interested in what might be next in recruitment virtual reality, visit http://immerhire.net/innovators-only and register for an opportunity to evaluate the recruitment game before its public launch. ImmerHire is also offering exclusivity for its pioneer innovators.

What do you think about the future of virtual games for hiring? And don’t forget to share your views and experiences with us if you try out any new services!