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Recruitment gamification combines fun, data-driven insights and an improved applicant experience to help firms compete in the highly competitive job market. Not just scratching the surface, we will touch on the significance of gamification in recruitment by providing real-life examples. Undoubtedly, there are obstacles to overcome. Here we will unearth 7 ways to embrace this cutting-edge approach. Companies can attract top talent, identify hidden potential, and make more informed hiring decisions.
The convergence of gamification, artificial intelligence, and GPT changes the face of recruiting and ushers in an era in which the lines between work and play will dissolve, bringing forth previously incredible opportunities for businesses and job-seekers. So, let's dive in!
What is gamification, and where does it come from?
The growing worth of gamified products and services proves this trend will continue. The global gamification market will increase from its 2019 valuation of $6.33 billion to $37 billion by 2027.
Game-based learning has been around for a long time, long before the word "gamification" appeared in the early 2000s. For example, following its inception in 1896 in Alabama, Sperry and Hutchinson Co. quickly expanded nationwide. The company established a brand image by rewarding customers with Green Stamps at certain spending levels. They did this as part of a loyalty program that required a certain number of stamps to buy a certain item. S&H wanted to express their gratitude for their business by doing so. The system's intricacy aside, it was a fascinating case study of early gamification.
Many people date the origins of gamification back to 1908 when the Boy Scouts of America developed its badge system. The badges themselves eventually came to symbolize the whole community.
Complex games have led to increasingly imaginative gamification strategies. A game designer, Nick Pelling, first used "gamification" in 2002. In 2005, Bunchball came into being. So, let's say three years have passed. Bunchball is still going strong, with the same mission as ever: increasing website engagement using game elements.
The first gamification conference took place in 2011 in San Francisco, California. The summit was significant because it convened early adopters and leaders in game mechanics and player participation.
What is Gamification in Recruitment?
To understand recruitment gamification, we have to return to 2004. In the middle of Silicon Valley, a billboard asked a complicated math question. Most people driving on Highway 101 would need Google to answer.
It turns out that the search engine giant Google is behind the mysterious white ad with black letters. They were only trying to hire mathematicians who did not need Google's database in the first place. This is what gamification of recruitment looks like.
Gamification in recruiting is the technique of incorporating a game-like element into the hiring process.
2 companies nailing gamification in recruitment
Google code jam
Google's yearly Code Jam competition is one of the greatest instances of gamification in HR. They are also using this eSports tournament to find new employees. This is how they want to discover fresh, qualified programmers to join their team.
In an ideal world, the contest's monetary award would motivate the participating engineers and developers to participate actively. Google utilizes it to find people with the expertise they need to succeed. Ultimately, extended employment offers are the contest's top scorers or best applicants.
My Marriot hotel
To attract new employees, Marriott International created the game My Marriott Hotel. Candidates may create their restaurant, stock it with ingredients, hire and train staff, and serve visitors, all within the context of a simulated hotel. It's a near-perfect simulation of running a hotel. The quality of the players' customer interactions is rewarded with points. In addition, they might gain or lose points based on the quality of their customer service.
This is more accurately described as a business game or simulation than gamification. Gamification is the process of incorporating game-like dynamics into non-game contexts. Human resources (HR) business games are a great way to put workers through their paces and teach them new skills in a safe setting. Although it is often a bigger procedure component, we consider it a gamified element.
Recruitment gamification in 2023: Recent economy and Genz!
2022 was already tough, but the water only got murkier in 2023. The economy and the new generation in the workplace are forcing recruiters to change their recruitment strategy.
Here is a detailed breakthrough of the scenario!
Recent economy
The second quarter will soon come to a close. Despite the challenges, the economy is growing at a better rate than expected. The economy is doing okay, thanks to persistent consumer spending, robust job growth and rising wages. There is still a chance that inflation and increased interest rates may induce a halt in economic growth later this year. U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects a modest economic contraction in this year's third and fourth quarters, which would be sufficient to qualify as a recession.
The world of business is now dealing with a massive layoff after the huge resignation. Many IT businesses throughout the globe, including well-known brands like Meta, Twitter, and SoundCloud, are letting go of a significant portion of their personnel.
Twitter announced a layoff of 3,700 employees, while Meta aims to fire over 11,000 workers worldwide. Additionally, many staff will be laid off at Amazon, SoundCloud, and Robinhood.
The decrease in available positions has also impacted recruiters and recruiting firms. Recruitment agencies are in an unheard-of position where they only have two options: survive the collapsing economy or go bankrupt due to the lower-than-ever demand. Elon Musk told his staff that he had a "super bad feeling" about the state of the economy. As a result, businesses have stopped hiring new employees to prepare for the anticipated impending recession.
GenZ vs millennial candidates
Millennials and Gen Z have many things in common: they've grown up and entered the workforce during turbulent times, they've seen mass layoffs, and many of them want to do meaningful work. The shared traits between millennials and Gen Z applicants are something that employers should consider when making recruiting decisions.
However, there are also notable distinctions between these two groups.
A 2019 survey by Glassdoor revealed Generation Z's primary worries and interests in the workplace. Between October 1, 2018, and January 11, 2019, the business examined job applications submitted on the site, noting the prospective companies, locations, and job categories that Generation Z and millennials sought in the United States.
According to a survey by Yello, Higher pay is the primary incentive for younger employees to make a change, particularly members of Generation Z. Salary is essential to millennials. Still, they place a higher value on justice and equality in their pay. They are experts at figuring out their market value and demanding payment accordingly. Make sure your compensation ranges are competitive using a salary tool that considers location and position.
But be it Genz or millennials, everyone prefers a good work/life balance.
Benefits of recruitment gamification
The use of game mechanics and components in the recruitment process has several advantages for businesses. The benefits of using games in the recruiting process are as follows:
Putting Expertise to the Test
Candidates' familiarity with a certain field of study may be gauged via the use of gamified quizzes and assessments. Using this method, hiring managers can accurately gauge an applicant's level of knowledge in a certain field.
Sourcing Candidates Better
If done correctly, gamification assists in reaching passive job searchers who might not be interested in applying via more conventional channels. Gamification's dynamic and engaging qualities pique curiosity and entice prospective applicants to apply.
Increasing Candidate Engagement
Organizations can boost applicant involvement throughout the recruiting process by using gamification techniques. Candidates are more likely to engage actively and devote their time and energy to the process when it is made more pleasurable via gamified components like challenges, simulations, and interactive assignments.
Interview Time Reduction
Multiple interviews and tests are sometimes required in the traditional employment process, which can consume considerable time. With the help of gamification, businesses shorten the time it takes for applicants to exhibit their skills and talents during the interview process by using interactive games and simulations.
Finding the Appropriate Talent
Gamified evaluations allow Employers to find the right applicants with the right abilities and attributes. Recruiters can evaluate problem-solving skills, critical thinking, collaboration, and other key characteristics by creating game-based challenges that simulate real-world circumstances.
Giving Job Seekers Real-World Challenges
Candidates can gain expertise to solve difficulties and overcome hurdles they could face by playing recruitment games. Companies may evaluate applicants' abilities to solve problems in the real world.
Challenges of recruitment gamification
Yes, gamifying the hiring process have some amazing benefits, but there is sad news. There are some challenges you have to face while gamifying the process.
Developmental Complexity and Available Tools
The development time and complexity involved in making a gamified recruiting experience are often greater than those associated with making application questions in an applicant tracking system. Interactive aspects, game dynamics, user interfaces, and seamless integration into the hiring process are all part of the game. Game designers and web developers with the necessary expertise are needed, which may not be easily accessible in all companies.
Time and Preparation
A lot of work goes into making a game with the intention of using it as a recruiting tool. The goals must be defined, and interesting gaming mechanisms, interesting material, and a smooth user experience should be designed and implemented. This process can take a long time and may need to be tested and improved several times.
Problems with Integration
Technical hurdles can occur while attempting to include a game in the hiring process. The game has to work in tandem with a current applicant tracking system or recruiting platform without disrupting data flow or causing compatibility issues. This integration procedure may need extra resources and technical knowledge to achieve a seamless user experience and accurate data management.
Restricted Customization
Even if a customizable application process is possible with an ATS like Trakstar Hire, creating a hiring-related game is not. Gamifying the recruitment process usually needs a specialized solution, which may be expensive and time-consuming.
Gamify recruitment with AI and GPT4 with these strategic approaches
Creating an Effective Plan
Developing a recruiting gamification strategy is crucial in today's competitive talent market. By adding a sense of play and interactivity, gamification improves the applicant experience and increases the likelihood of a successful hire. Creating a creative and efficient recruiting gamification strategy is possible with the help of GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) technology.
There are numerous important considerations while developing a GPT-based recruiting gamification strategy. Attracting top people, evaluating applicants' talents, and boosting the company's reputation are only some of the many goals of a gamification strategy. This specificity guarantees that the strategy will meet the demands of the company.
The next step is to specify the features and mechanisms that will make up the game. This could include engaging tasks, quizzes, or virtual situations that allow people to show off their abilities and problem-solving skills. Giving dialog prompts, scenario descriptions, and even constructing virtual locations, GPT may help create exciting game content.
Virtual Assessments
One of the main reasons why virtual assessment is so valuable is that it allows for a more thorough and impartial examination of applicants' skills. Resumes and interviews aren't always the best way to gauge a candidate's talents and potential. But gamification in virtual assessment closes this gap by giving them a chance to shine in a practice setting. This results in better-informed recruiting choices and less room for error caused by prejudice.
AI is crucial to improving online tests used in the gamification of the hiring process. Real-time analysis of massive datasets, including candidate replies, interactions, and performance indicators, is made possible by AI algorithms built into platforms. This paves the way for immediate criticism and individual assessment, giving each applicant a test that plays to their skills and shortcomings. AI-driven systems may continuously enhance the assessment process and the criteria for future assessments since they can adapt and learn from the actions of candidates.
AI-powered virtual assessment systems can screen many applicants quickly, saving recruiters time and money. Because of its scalability, businesses can assess many candidates quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
Skills-Based Challenges
In gamified recruiting, skill-based tasks play a crucial role in spotting and assessing top talent. Employers can assess potential hires based on more than just their resumes and interviews when they include gamified components in the hiring process. The recruiting process also benefits from this method since it offers a more realistic picture of the candidate's talents.
AI can significantly improve skills-based challenges in recruiting gamification by automating several parts of the evaluation process. AI algorithms allow for personalized tasks based on employment duties and talents. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in relevant areas by completing these tests, which could be designed to mimic real-world settings.
The performance of candidates can be analyzed and evaluated in real-time by AI, with the result being instantaneous feedback and an objective evaluation. This allows hiring managers to make more objective assessments of candidates. AI-driven analytics can also spot trends and patterns in applicant replies, providing invaluable insight into their abilities, strengths, and areas for development for hiring managers.
Virtual Reality Job Simulations
To attract and retain top talent, companies, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Walmart, and BCG, are turning to online simulations that recreate an individual's day-to-day activities, interactions with coworkers, and experiences on the job. The workplace can be experienced by anybody, anywhere, regardless of location, education level, or prior job experience, by breaking it down into a series of hypothetical activities organized according to real-life chronologies of occurrences.
Simulations of labor in the virtual world can never replace the actual thing. Zero is. However, working in a position differs from what is taught in a classroom. Moreover, several preconceived notions about positions or vocations might result in poorly managed expectations of the actual work.
The more chances for individuals to get experience before entering the industry, the better. Organizations gain from having workers more equipped to handle the challenges of their jobs, whether they are just starting out, returning to the workforce, switching fields, or adapting to new circumstances.
This is why a growing number of Fortune 500 companies like Citi, SAP, and AON are using virtual job simulations to attract and develop top talent.
Interactive Chatbots
The value of interactive chatbots for recruiting gamification is hard to overestimate in today's competitive job market. With the help of AI, these chatbots are changing how companies communicate with job seekers by making the process more engaging and fun.
Candidates benefit significantly from interactive chatbots' customized and exciting experience in recruiting gamification. These chatbots use NLP to evaluate applicant information, rate their abilities and credentials, and personalize their interactions with each user. This degree of customization boosts candidates' interest in and participation in the hiring process.
Chatbots like GPT4 are particularly good at turning the interview process into a game. Candidates can participate in an active role in the recruiting process via the use of gaming features like challenges, quizzes, and simulations. By injecting an element of friendly rivalry into the hiring process, this gamification strategy improves the experience for both applicants and recruiters.
Personalized Learning Paths
To begin, Personalized Learning Paths include the development of individualized study plans for individuals according to their present and desired levels of expertise and professional development. With gaming elements like engaging quizzes, tasks, and exercises, candidates actively learn while getting helpful information about the company and its needs. This gamified method makes hiring more interesting for potential employees by introducing healthy competition.
Implementing Personalized Learning Paths is greatly aided by the use of AI technologies. Resumes, skill tests, and psychometric evaluations are only some applicant data that can reveal each candidate's strengths, limitations, and preferred learning methods. Based on this data, we may design individualized training programs to meet the specific requirements of each applicant. Artificial intelligence systems may also dynamically modify the learning materials' difficulty and content in response to the candidate's performance.
Feedback and Performance Analytics
Feedback and performance data are two of the most critical parts of using gaming in employment to improve the hiring process. Companies can improve their employment efforts even more by adding AI tools.
First of all, feedback is an important part of any gamified employment process because it shows candidates how they did and where they could improve. It lets them know how well they did on different tests or tasks, so they can change how they do things and improve their skills. Feedback can also be targeted, giving each candidate specific advice based on their strengths and flaws. This personalized feedback makes the experience more meaningful and exciting, making gamified employment more effective.
On the other hand, performance analytics help companies learn everything they can about the hiring process. AI tools can keep track of and evaluate different measures, such as the number of jobs finished, the time it takes to finish them, their correctness, and how engaged candidates are. This information helps employers find patterns, trends, and places where the gamified employment process could be improved. By looking at this information, businesses can make choices based on the data to improve the job process and make it easier to find top talent.
Benefits of utilizing AI for recruitment gamification
Using AI and GPT (such as ChatGPT) for recruitment gamification can provide several benefits, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the hiring process. Here are some advantages:
Personalized Candidate Experience
AI-powered recruitment gamification can offer a personalized experience to candidates. By leveraging GPT's natural language processing capabilities, the system can understand and respond to candidates' inputs and provide tailored interactions. This personalized approach makes the gamification experience more engaging and relevant to each candidate.
Automated Screening and Assessment
AI can automate screening and assessment by analyzing candidates' responses, evaluating their performance in gamified tasks, and providing instant feedback. GPT can assist in scoring candidate responses, comparing them against predefined criteria, and generating detailed reports. This streamlines the initial screening process, saving time for recruiters and ensuring consistency in evaluations.
Data-Driven Decision Making
AI and GPT can collect and analyze large amounts of data generated during recruitment gamification. This data includes candidate responses, performance metrics, and engagement patterns. By leveraging this information, recruiters can gain valuable insights into candidates' skills, strengths, and areas for improvement. These data-driven insights help make informed decisions about candidate selection and overall recruitment strategies.
Bias Reduction
AI-powered recruitment gamification can help reduce unconscious biases that influence traditional hiring processes. AI algorithms can evaluate candidates solely based on their skills, capabilities, and performance rather than demographic information. This helps create a fairer and more inclusive hiring environment.
Efficient Talent Matching
AI algorithms can effectively match candidates to suitable job roles by analyzing their skills, experience, and performance in gamified tasks. By comparing candidates' profiles with job requirements, AI can identify the best-fit candidates, increasing the chances of finding the right talent for specific roles.
Continuous Learning and Improvement
AI-powered recruitment gamification systems can continuously learn and improve over time. The system can identify patterns, understand user preferences, and enhance the gamification experience by analyzing candidate interactions and feedback. This iterative learning process helps optimize recruitment, making it more effective and engaging.
Scalability and Cost Efficiency
AI and GPT can handle large volumes of candidate interactions and assessments simultaneously, making recruitment gamification scalable for organizations of any size. Additionally, automating certain aspects of the hiring process with AI can reduce manual effort, resulting in cost savings and increased efficiency.
How Can Ionio Help?
AI and GPT have the power to shift your recruitment strategy mto from drab to fab. But if not done properly, you may overdo it burning all your revenue. You need a strategic partner for that!
Ionio can be your strategic partner in this journey. And your partner is just a call away. Book your free call today!
