The advantages of gamification in essential HR processes

Increased Investments in Digitalization and the Rising Importance of Talent Acquisition

With increasing investments in digitalization, a phenomenon more and more common among most companies, the race to identify talent becomes increasingly fierce, representing a significant stake for many employers. Consequently, to attract the right people, more and more companies are willing to approach candidates from a new perspective – that of gaming, which has become extremely popular, especially among the younger generation.

What is Gamification?

Gamification involves applying game dynamics, psychology, and mechanics to non-game situations. In the field of human resources, this process is used to increase candidate engagement, as well as to boost productivity and loyalty among existing employees.

Applying game dynamics to specific HR processes, such as recruitment or training, is on the rise in more and more companies because gaming represents the common language of young people worldwide. Additionally, during the pandemic, games topped the list of activities for people of all ages.

A survey conducted by the Aberdeen Group showed that organizations that practice gamification have seen a 48% improvement in employee engagement, indicating the benefits of using game-like scenarios to motivate and stimulate employees.

Gamification in the Recruitment Process

The traditional job interview format does not always provide the best results when it comes to fully evaluating a candidate’s skills. Often, the person being interviewed prepares their answers in advance for the typical questions asked during a job interview. Instead, games can provide valuable insights into individual decision-making or problem-solving skills. Moreover, games can help organizations build more diverse teams.

By introducing gamification elements into the recruitment process, recruiters can better present situations that candidates, as future employees, might encounter within the company and see how they react.

Like any new tool, gamification must be carefully introduced into the recruitment process. Thus, before applying specific game elements, you should first set a clearly measurable set of objectives. Proper planning is needed, which can only be achieved if you identify key elements, such as the type of game you want to introduce in the recruitment process and how it aligns with the skills the organization seeks in candidates.

Also, using games can significantly shorten the recruitment process itself, as recruiters can immediately view and evaluate candidates’ results right after they finish the game, allowing them to draw final conclusions.

Another significant aspect derived from using games in the recruitment process is that recruiters can quickly determine whether candidates are serious about the job, as some might refuse to participate in the game from the start. This way, valuable time is saved, which would otherwise be spent on individuals who were not genuinely interested in working for the company.

Benefits of Using Gamification in Recruitment:

 Makes the Recruitment Experience Fun


Assessment tests are not fun, but games can be. Therefore, when you introduce gaming into the recruitment process, you need to ensure it is fun and engaging. You can determine if it meets these defining characteristics by testing it on current employees and obtaining real feedback from them.

 Promotion and Branding


Employer branding has never been more important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Participating in a game as part of the hiring process will certainly promote the company and help build a strong employer brand.

 Allows Testing of Key Candidate Skills


When gamification is used in recruitment, it is much easier to discover specific skills that the company has identified as essential for future employees. Games that put candidates in challenging situations, where they can only succeed by using creativity and other key skills, are ideal for determining if the candidate is what you are looking for.

Can Simulate Actual Job Performance


When a candidate is asked to lead a company in a game, it can reveal their time management, leadership, and problem-solving skills through their actions, rather than just describing them, as they would in a traditional interview.

Gamification in Employee Learning & Development

The role of gamification in the learning and development process is to make traditional learning more fun and engaging for new employees.

It is well known that games offer a sense of community, satisfaction, and immediate feedback, factors that make those involved in the game pay close attention to what they need to do and complete their tasks within the game.

Gamification results in faster learning and a greater ability to retain new knowledge, which translates over time into increased productivity, higher employee interest in company processes, and increased loyalty.

Besides training new employees, gamification can also be an excellent solution for long-time employees when the company launches new products or services and wants to ensure they are fully engaged.

Advantages of Using Games in Learning & Development:

Accelerates Learning

Using games in the onboarding stage of new employees accelerates the learning process compared to traditional methods like webinars or meetings. More and more employees view endless meetings as outdated, preferring to take on active roles even during the training phase, believing they learn best through practice.

Encourages Social Connections

Many gamification elements include a competitive note, allowing employees to compete with each other and create bonds while learning important aspects of their job. This way, newcomers will feel like part of the team much faster.

Connects People to Company Culture

Employees are more eager to learn and develop with a company that makes them feel connected to an organizational culture that promotes their professional growth and development.

Ensures High Engagement

When a webinar is replaced with a game, you can be sure all employees are focused on what is happening, helping them better understand their roles and responsibilities.

Provides Instant Feedback

Using gamification in the training process allows you to instantly see what works and what doesn’t and quickly identify ways to improve the new employees’ experience within the company.

Key Skills Acquired Through Gamification

In addition to the benefits of using gamification in recruitment and training processes, there are also a series of key skills that company employees, whether new or not, can acquire through games, such as:

– Using and developing critical thinking skills
– Developing problem-solving strategies
– Working as a team
– Enhancing communication skills
– Recovering quickly from tough periods with many work-related problems and difficulties
– Managing attention
– Being flexible in thinking

After introducing gamification into internal processes, it is advisable to monitor some performance indicators, such as employee satisfaction, retention rates, and task completion times, either through surveys or other feedback methods.

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