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?