Technology

Virtual World Gives Partipants 'Second Life'

More Companies Search For Perfect Employee On Second Life

BOSTON (WBZ) ― When you're looking for a job long gone are the days of circling a help wanted ad in the newspaper.

Now even the online job search sites are becoming outdated. But there's a virtual world where you interview for a job without ever leaving your living room.

Welcome to Second Life, a virtual world where people create alter-egos called avatars and live a "second life".

They meet people, run businesses and shop.

It's also where some top companies are looking for new talent.

"Fabulous Lane" is really Polly Pearson, the executive in charge of hiring for data storage giant, EMC in Hopkinton.

"At any given time we have hundreds of openings," she said.

That's why Pearson jumped at the chance to take part in a series of job fairs in Second Life.

For EMC, it's cheaper than flying candidates across the country and Pearson thinks it's better than a phone interview.

"You have a shared experience. If you're in a meeting and someone spills coffee, everyone laughs," Pearson said. "That sort of thing happens in second life."

The Second Life job fair is the brainchild of TMP Worldwide of Waltham.

Michael Littlewood says companies looking for talent have to think outside the box.

"Your best candidate may already have a job and it's places like Second Life and the blogs where you're going to find that best candidate," Littlewood said.

Second Life isn't just for the high-tech types.

Ray Giordano landed his job as an executive chef with Sodexho, one of the nation's largest food service companies, on Second Life.

He says learning his way around the virtual world was a challenge.

"I'm not really into computers," Giordano said.

But once he learned the ropes, he said his interview was a breeze.

"You don't have to be perfect in the virtual reality world," Giordano said. "You don't have to sit there and sweat and worry what they think about you."

Sodexho called Giordano for a second interview, this one would be face-to-face.

"When you finally meet in person it's just like you're meeting somebody that you've known for a long time," Giordano said.

So, if you're looking for a job you might want to take a look around Second Life.

EMC is holding another Second Life job fair Saturday. Just keep in mind, if you're new at Second Life, there is a bit of a learning curve while you figure out how to get around.

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