35 Ways VR and AR Can Help HR Improve Candidate and Employee Experience

The integration of VR and AR into HR practices is set to redefine the candidate and employee experiences. 

Below are some business use cases that offer just a glimpse of these technologies' transformative potential to revolutionize the HR function.

Gamified Recruitment

Incorporating AR and VR technologies into the hiring process can make the recruitment experience fun and engaging.

1. Using AR and VR, recruiters can guide potential candidates through virtual tours of the work environment, showcasing the company's culture and current projects before they even set foot in the office.

2. Candidates can play games for aptitude tests and job-related skill assessments. Candidates who perform exceptionally well can then be fast-tracked through the recruitment process.

Breaking Down Traditional Onboarding Barriers

1. With step-by-step virtual walkthroughs and simulations of real-life scenarios, employees can receive interactive induction training.

2. With AR, HR and the team can take a guided tour of the workplace to identify risks in equipment and improve safety.

3. AR and VR-based assistance can help new hires understand specific role-related challenges by inviting them to scan codes and take a virtual tour of their role.

4. Remote employees can virtually explore the office, get to know colleagues, and learn about company policies and procedures. This integration can enrich the onboarding process.

Improving the Efficiency of Physical and Remote Training

By incorporating VR and AR into training programs, organizations can improve the quality of training and help employees learn new skills efficiently.

1. An automotive giant is using the technology to tailor assembly line training to the different skill levels of individual technicians.

2. Through immersive scenarios in D&I training, employees understand the impact of unconscious bias, creating a more inclusive workplace.

3. A leading financial institution is using VR for soft skills training and employee wellness. Thousands of employees have used customized VR simulations to practice difficult customer conversations and respond with empathy.

4. The healthcare industry has already begun using VR to train doctors and nurses on technical aspects. The same capabilities of AR and VR can be applied to other sectors.

5. Remote assistance training allows an expert in another country or time zone to observe and contribute to the work in progress.

Effective Cost and Time Management 

1. Virtual and augmented reality training can significantly reduce training time and improve employee performance. Reducing training time also significantly reduces training costs. It also allows more people to be trained, resulting in a greater number of trainees being onboarded into their roles sooner.

Improved Safety and Risk Management

1. To reduce the possibility of harm and promote an effective safety culture in the workplace, employers can simulate hazardous situations in virtual reality.

2. With VR and AR, employees can practice operating machinery and handling potential hazards without physical equipment, reducing the likelihood of accidents and equipment damage.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

1. With AR interfaces, employees can quickly access guides or checklists without having to pause their work. Consequently, less time is spent looking for information.

More Gamification

Companies can use VR to develop advanced gamification techniques to enhance learning. The process is perfect for getting your employees on board and cutting the tedious process in half.

1. AR and gamification amplify performance and learning to keep users motivated and on track to achieve their goals.

2. Gamification with AR and VR serves as a transformative approach to employee engagement and retention. Integrating these immersive technologies with gamification elements (leaderboards, badges, etc.) allows employees to learn at their own pace and according to their specific learning styles.

Building Workplace Camaraderie

Unlike two-dimensional video calling interfaces like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, VR brings interactivity and fun back to collaboration and team-building.

1. Virtual rooms enable collaboration, group projects, and team simulations to develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

2. AR can help facilitate icebreakers and fun corporate team events such as VR sports and tournaments.

3. Organize problem-solving activities (VR puzzles and multiplayer survival games).

4. Blind drawing in VR, a very virtual social experience, can help improve team communication skills.

5. VR creative activities can help unleash innovation and creativity in the team.

VR can eliminate problems pertaining to team-building for remote and hybrid working models by: 

1. Creating shared spaces for collaboration and co-creation.

2. Creating virtual spaces for people to interact.

3. Rewarding employee excellence and discipline with digital awards.

Employee Wellness Initiatives

Employees can spend their lunch breaks or evenings getting in shape with fun and immersive VR fitness games.

1. VR tools can create guided meditation sessions, virtual fitness classes, and stress reduction exercises. Employees can access them from anywhere.

2. AR fitness apps can overlay exercise instructions and track performance. 

3. VR and AR-simulated outdoor environments for employees can provide a mental escape and promote relaxation.

Vetting Candidates

1. VR can help improve the screening process by creating a space for candidates that gradually changes as they respond.

2. VR can allow recruiters to customize the process to meet specific needs, improving the experience for job seekers and employees.

3. AR can create overlays for vetting in targeted environments and testing spatial skills.

4. Employers can accommodate the needs of people with special abilities through overlays.

Performance Evaluation

1. HR, team leaders, and managers can arrange a demo for a performance review for employees in VR and test their interactions.

2. A record of the performance review in a virtual environment can be preserved to improve the quality of reviews and reduce bias.

3. AR-based guidance can help prepare employees for a performance review with mock assessments.

Take a Leap of Faith

The benefits of extended reality (XR) have gone from aspirational to essential. By adopting these cutting-edge solutions, organizations can better position themselves as industry leaders, attract exceptional talent, outperform the competition, and achieve higher rates of employee engagement.