The Virtues of Virtual Recruiting

Today, NPR addressed the 'Virtues of Virtual Recruiting' in its coverage of 'virtual interviewing' on Second Life.

Article and recording here. While NPR's take is entertaining and well done, it goes a little too far in talking about this type of interviewing as a great way for people to get jobs they would not necessarily in 'Real Life' (did I just put that in quotes?).

Essentially - the point is, that Second Life allows nervous interviewees to relax, open up and 'lower their guard' a little more. They will then be able to have a better interview and therefore have more chances to get hired.

While i'm not foolish in thinking that an interview is the best way to gauge someone's ability to fit a job, I have to believe that the qualities of face-to-face interviews can't be matched by Second Life interviews. Now - this is not applicable to all types of job, but I would think that one needs to be able to show they can handle a face-to-face interview as a basic test. Aren't human relations a basic requirement for getting a job today? I also feel that a face-to-face would be necessary to get a better sense of a fit - both for the candidate and the company.

After all - if one gets a job through a 'Second Life' interview loop, it most probably means they are qualified to have a 'Second Life' job and maybe get paid in 'Second Life' money?