In today’s career marketplace, resumes are out and skills are in. In fact, according to a recent study in an article entitled “Is the Resume Dead?” by Forbes, 70% of respondents stated that skills-based hiring is more effective than relying on resumes.
But to date, resumes have been the primary indicator of how to weigh candidates across academic and professional roles. If resumes are out, then what exactly is in? There will certainly be a significant period of adjustment, but recently, a bright new solution has emerged.
Gamified methods have been gaining speed in the world of talent acquisition, and for good reason. A recent study by KPMG reveals that gamified training, when done right, can be a solution for evaluating employees equitably, engaging workforces, and transforming workplace dynamics. Let’s delve into the top three ways gaming will help shape the future of the work world.
Tapping into Human Capabilities
Moving towards skills-based hiring and development necessitates a shift from traditional recruitment methods. What is more, in an era where 74% of workers want to acquire new skills but feel a lack of development opportunities, companies need fresh training methods as well.
Gaming, with its contextual format, helps to broaden the view of skills, evolving the framework to go beyond bullet points on a resume and instead see capabilities in a human-centered manner. Games tap into human curiosity, promoting collaboration, adaptability, and confidence in tackling challenges. Games can also provide a safe space for practicing real-world scenarios, evaluating unique contributions, and developing skills for specific roles—all within the context of an organization’s needs.
This significantly levels up companies’ hiring capacity, as they can evaluate candidates based solely on the relevant skills they bring to the table. Without factors such as race, gender, university prestige, or other aspects that can cloud the sometimes biased interviewing process, the customizable nature of gamification allows companies to hand-pick talent components—period. This can help organizations better align with their goals, reach business bottom lines, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Engagement and an Intentional Workplace
The shift to the virtual world has altered the dynamics of engagement, making it a challenging aspect of the modern workplace. Gamified experiences emerge as a beacon of hope in this scenario, providing a solution for engaging employees digitally.
“Gaming captures 100% of the mind’s focus, unlocking new pathways to engagement,” says AJ Redmer, a veteran game designer and advisor here at Almas. “Gamified methods deploy what is known as suspension of disbelief, where users temporarily act as characters in the game—creating a deep connection and leading to enhanced decision-making through real-time choices.”
Gamifications offer immediate feedback, directing employees through challenges and levels, resulting in improved performance, skill development, and skill sets. This makes it a powerful tool not only for engagement but also for reducing biases and inspiring employees to be active participants in their long-term learning.
Gaming platforms are also accessible to every employee, helping to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration, micro-learning hubs, and idea-sharing forums. Gartner’s research emphasizes the importance of employee choice, a clear structure, and a sense of fun for intentional interactions — precisely what well-designed games provide. Through healthy competition, games can drive interactions, challenging employees in new ways and inspiring skill development.
Simulating, and Generating, a Better Future of Work
Workforce management faces challenges in aligning evolving expectations with performance pressure. Traditional methods of individual measurement, such as personality tests, fall short. Gamulations, with their focus on playing with others, offer a unique lens for assessing and tracking performance while fostering a fun and immersive experience.
By accelerating learning as one of a company’s KPIs, an organization can both enhance retention and support desirable capabilities. Further, the people-centric data gleaned from gaming assists leaders in understanding how to hire, manage, and retain workers more effectively, creating a future where human behavior data transforms organizations for the better.
As we navigate the ‘Great Transformation,’ perhaps the key to a harmonious workplace lies not in complex solutions but in the playful and immersive world of gaming. In the quest for progress, let’s not overlook the potential for fun and games to be the driving force behind an innovative and engaging work world. Read more in-depth about this, with key interviews, in our article featured in the HCM Technology Report.
