“The Metaverse won’t just change how we work; it’ll also change how we look for talent. Imagine future recruiters perusing CVs backed up by blockchain with verified credentials from past employers or interviewing in assessment spaces designed as tranquil forests to reassure nervous candidates.”
Valerie Beaulieu – Chief Sales & Marketing Officer – Adecco Group
Sharing her insights at the recent World Economic Forum, Valerie believes that the Metaverse may offer solutions for unlocking an inclusive new workplace where talent scarcity and upskilling won’t impede progress – only time will tell if this proves true. Advancements made possible through Metaverse technologies could come with a fantastic opportunity, transferring work from real life into virtual realms.
How will the work experience and interaction in the Metaverse differ from collaborating via Microsoft Teams and Zoom?
The difference lies primarily in the immersive and experiential nature of the Metaverse. Since fully remote and hybrid models have become the norm, many workers hired during and after the pandemic have never visited their company’s offices. Furthermore, those employed remotely, say from a different country or continent, will likely never visit their organisation’s headquarters and may struggle to adapt to company culture, feeling disconnected from coworkers.
Imagine these workers having access to VR goggles and Metaverse technology to experience an immersive virtual workplace that replicates the physical environment and allows them to interact with colleagues virtually as if they were in the same room. This would create a sense of inclusion and belonging for all workers regardless of location, mitigating proximity bias by developing a virtual shared space that mimics a physical meeting room where everyone can “sit” at the same table.
Could the Metaverse be the future of recruiting?
Even though the technology is still in its infancy stage, many organisations invest heavily in Metaverse, researching the potential benefits and how the tech can enhance hiring talent in a digital world. According to Gartner, through 2027, creating engaging and interactive virtual workspaces will account for 30% of the investment growth by organisations looking to “reimagine” the office experience. Research also suggests that 38% of companies anticipate having the Metaverse be part of their everyday business model within the next year, and 32% of employers plan to hire or appoint a “Metaverse Leader” to help manage those teams and relay progress to the C-suite.
The potential benefits of recruiting new talent in the Metaverse include making hiring more efficient. Multiple candidates can be engaged and interviewed simultaneously, even participating in assessments and activities in a three-dimensional virtual world. Additionally, the technology could be a game changer for hiring managers needing to access and recruit globally. So, what are these technologies, and how can they be leveraged for recruiting purposes?
Below are just a few examples of the metaverse technologies that you can experiment with right now to help attract and secure future talent:
Recruiting your future workforce with virtual reality (VR)
Virtual reality (VR) technology has gained traction in business. Companies have used VR to offer remote job interviews and virtual home office tours during candidate evaluation. This helps employers save time and money by reducing or eliminating travel costs associated with in-person interviews. Additionally, VR allows candidates to experience the workplace before physically showing up onsite.
Beyond the initial recruiting process, virtual reality simulations can be used for various sourcing activities, including hosting virtual job fairs. These online simulations allow employers to engage potential candidates in the virtual realm, pitching new opportunities and allowing workers to navigate through crucial information like job descriptions at their own pace. For example, Pontoon facilitated a virtual recruitment attraction event for a client using a gamification methodology. Potential candidates participated in problem-solving escape room challenges before connecting with recruiters in virtual information booths. Immersive experiences like this make it easier for recruiters to interact quickly with remote hires and identify qualified candidates.
Enhancing the candidate experience with augmented reality (AR)
Augmented reality (AR) technology has been embraced as an effective way to onboard new hires quickly and efficiently. AR tools, which use real-world settings while VR is entirely virtual, enable organisations to provide interactive visual cues to guide and educate new hires through their first few days on the job. For example, AR-based instructions, easily accessed through a smartphone, can help new employees navigate complex workspaces or equipment operations without waiting for a trainer or mentor to become available. As a bonus, AR-powered onboarding allows new workers to upskill immediately, observing team workflows and activities before jumping into their roles.
AR also provides a platform for prospective employees to understand company culture by participating in virtual information sessions or even online gaming sessions. The technology makes users feel like they share the same physical space rather than staring at a flat-screen all day. This creates an interactive and immersive experience for recruiters and candidates, combining virtual and real-world activities while maintaining privacy protocols regarding personal information.
Exploring virtual worlds for recruiting purposes
Virtual worlds have entered the corporate space as a viable way for companies to train employees remotely without compromising quality or accuracy. They allow employers to implement robust online learning tools enabling potential candidates and employees to practice skills at their own pace while getting real-time feedback from offsite mentors or trainers. Establishing these online communities permit workers to connect and engage over the long term in large groups, fostering an environment full of opportunity both onscreen and off. This approach saves time and money compared to traditional recruiting and training delivery methods and leads to higher engagement levels due to its interactive nature.
At its core, metaverse technology grants companies access to diverse individuals with unique skill sets. Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual worlds are potential game changers making it easier for companies to source and secure quality talent worldwide. By experimenting with and harnessing the power of these technologies, organisations can gain a competitive edge in recruiting top talent while optimising their training and onboarding processes.
