Hyro uses Second Life for real life recruiting

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 13 February 2007 16:10

IT People - Enterprise

Digital services provider Hyro (ASX:HYO) has bought an island and created a virtual headquarters in the internet-based virtual world Second Life in order to recruit people.

The four-level complex contains a purpose-built recruitment centre that Hyro will use to attract potential employees for its real-world offices in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Hyro has also created a digital blimp to float around in Second Life and direct people to its recruitment hub.

Within Hyro’s “Recruitment Hub”, Second Life residents have the opportunity to find out about current opportunities, pick up an employment application, complete and submit their application. They can also find out more about Hyro by visiting its ‘showrooms’ which feature information on projects that Hyro has completed for clients, awards Hyro has won, and company news. The company is also trialling holding ‘virtual interviews’ with candidates within the complex.

Hyro’s Chief Operating Officer, Richard Lord says that Hyro looked to Second Life to assist in finding high quality web, mobile, and virtual, design and development staff to keep up with its rapid growth and client demand in the real world. In 2007 so far Hyro has hired 27 people and is looking for 35 more in Australia and New Zealand and around 20 in Thailand.

“Second Life offers the potential to communicate with prospective employees in a way that offers an interactive and fun experience. And given that we are targeting people with skills in creativity, innovation and applying digital channels technology, Second Life is a good fit,” said Richard Lord. “The sorts of people we are looking for are likely to be engaging in these virtual worlds, so it is important for us to market the opportunity in these places.”

Hyro is also working on a number of projects for its clients that wish to establish a presence in Second Life.

“Following the lead of global brands such as Nissan, Nike and Starwood Hotels who established presences in 2006, it’s now a real business consideration for many companies to target the rapidly growing communities within these persistent 3D virtual worlds,” said Hyro Director of Wireless and Broadcast Services, Chris Flintoft. “Our clients are increasingly looking to digital channels to reach more and more of their customers and today digital channels are more than just web sites and mobile content: virtual worlds are now a part of this mix.”

The complex on Hyro’s Second Life island, also features themed rooms – beach room, forest room, and space room – as well as two theatres and a conference centre. Hyro plans to use these rooms for other promotions and information sessions and as a resource for engaging with the ‘Hyro community’.