If You Want Job Information, Go to the Metaverse... Changing Recruitment Culture in the IT and Game Industries

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] As COVID-19 continues for a long time, the hiring culture in the IT and gaming industries is changing. Companies are actively utilizing non-face-to-face communication methods, such as holding recruitment briefings in the 'metaverse.'

According to the related industry on the 26th, Netmarble will hold an online job fair called 'Netmarble Town' using a metaverse platform from the 30th of this month to the 1st of next month.

Netmarble Town is composed of virtual spaces such as the lobby, conference hall, ㅋㅋ Dabang, outdoor park, and the 41st-floor rooftop, set against the backdrop of Netmarble's new headquarters 'G Tower (G-Tower)'.

Applicants can connect in avatar form, freely explore, and participate in real-time job consultations and events. Netmarble decided to give preferential treatment in the document screening stage when applying for a job if applicants participate in the job fair.

SK Telecom is currently accepting applications for 'Junior Talent' recruitment, selecting candidates from university graduates to those with less than three years of work experience. In particular, about 600 applicants who pre-registered will be given exclusive consultation opportunities using the metaverse platform 'Ifland.'

Applicants can customize their avatars in Ifland according to their personalities and freely ask questions to recruitment officers and practical department staff.

SKT also plans to strengthen digital communication by providing interview kits, including tablets capable of video conferencing, in advance to candidates who advance to the interview stage to ensure a fair and smooth interview environment.

Nexon, which finished accepting applications for its recruitment-type internship earlier this month, held a recruitment briefing called 'Country of Recruitment' on the metaverse platform 'Gather Town.'

They created a virtual world based on the game map of Nexon's representative online game 'Baram-ui Nara' (The Kingdom of the Winds) and Nexon's office building.

'Country of Recruitment' is largely composed of three spaces: 'Baram-ui Nara ZONE,' which replicates the 'Buyoseong' map from the game 'Baram-ui Nara'; 'NEXON ZONE,' where you can virtually visit Nexon's office space online; and 'CAREER ZONE,' where job and HR consultations take place. Nexon held non-face-to-face consultations directly with representative employees from each job category in these spaces.

The reason companies use the metaverse for recruitment is that it allows them to attract talent nationwide without the constraints of space and distance and easily approach the MZ generation.

From the participants' perspective, it is less burdensome because they do not have to be conscious of others compared to offline events with many attendees. Also, there is no need to physically visit recruitment briefings as before, and they can learn about various companies' recruitment methods without being pressed for time, which is another advantage.

The use of the metaverse in recruitment is expected to continue expanding. An industry official said, "As the COVID-19 pandemic has normalized 'non-face-to-face' interactions, there has been increased demand for efficient ways to obtain employment information and opportunities for consultation," adding, "Even after the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, more companies are planning to maintain non-face-to-face recruitment cultures."