Virtual World May Attract Real Job Applicants

Scientific American on February 12, 2007

TMP Worldwide, billed here as an "interactive advertising agency," is offering its "island" in Second Life as a spot for companies to host job fairs and even interview potential employees (albeit via instant messaging). TMP claims it will screen potential hires before the interview to confirm their (real world) identities. According to TMP, companies will get not only resumes and e-mail addresses of job candidates, but also an opportunity to promote their brands to a young and tech-savvy demographic. We’d find the whole thing a lot less gimmicky if TMP wasn't also offering to let job applicants use a virtual parachute emblazoned with a T-Mobile logo to leap off its 20-story virtual headquarters.