[2023 Graduates] Would you like to apply for a "Virtual Interview"?

My name is Kai Fujisawa, and I work in PR and recruitment. I love Ranjatai so much that it appears in my dreams

Beyond has previously tried various unusual recruitment methods, such as " online game company information sessions " and " novel game company guides " decided to implement " virtual interviews "

online interview involves using an avatar while hiding your name, school, age, gender, address, and nationality

All you need to apply is your nickname and email address, answer two questions on the application form, and successful applicants will be invited to a virtual interview

Why interview with an avatar?

Originally, Beyond did not place emphasis on academic background in its selection process, but rather on whether the candidate wanted to be an engineer, whether they fit Beyond's corporate culture, and whether the interviewer felt they wanted to work with them. (In fact, Fujisawa, the author of this article, only graduated from high school.)

However, in 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, interviews were conducted online, and the selection process continued without any face-to-face meetings until job offers were made. However, the PR team was considering whether there were any interviews that could only be conducted online, and one idea came up: "Why not just hide names, genders, and schools, and conduct interviews using avatars?" The PR team consists of three people: the CEO, a director, and Fujisawa

We thought that we could ask about what kind of studies someone had done at school without mentioning the name of the school, and that by eliminating information such as name, gender, and place of residence, we could get a better understanding of the person's inner self

Although using an avatar does not allow us to read a person's facial expressions, we believe that we may be able to learn about a person's personality by looking at the type of avatar they prepare

How do you interview?

The online tool used is Zoom

There are no specific tools required for using the avatar. If the interviewee has a tool they normally use, it is of course best to use that, but even if you have never used it before, Beyond will share the installation manual for the recommended tool, so there is no need to worry

You can easily use an avatar by changing the camera settings in Zoom, but if your PC is too slow to start the avatar, you can just bring a mask or headgear to hide your face. In other words, both "virtual" and "costume" are OK

You are free to use a voice changer, so feel free to use your favorite voice during the interview

How is a virtual interview different from a regular interview?

First, here are some questions that interviewers will not (should not) ask:

• name
• School name, undergraduate department
• sex
• age
• Where you live
• Selection status

In a normal interview, you'd probably start by being asked to introduce yourself, but in a virtual interview, you don't introduce yourself. Instead, you break the ice by asking, "Why did you come wearing that avatar (or costume) today?" This is the best part of a virtual interview, and I think you can get a good idea of ​​a person's personality through this part

In virtual interviews, we will ask questions that will allow us to delve deeper into the inner workings of the students. I will write about the questions I asked in a blog post after the actual virtual interviews

The selection process will also change. While the normal selection process is [first interview → second interview → final interview], the virtual interview process is a rather unconventional one: [virtual interview → final interview]

*The final interview will be conducted in the usual online format

What to look forward to in a virtual interview

After all, it comes down to how the students show up

This is the first time for Beyond to conduct an interview using an avatar and voice changer, so I think both parties are confused

However, I think there are conversations that can only be had in a virtual interview, rather than templated responses, and above all, I think Beyond's virtual interviews will leave a strong impression on students

We hope that we will both enjoy this new experience and have a good encounter

Come take a virtual interview

So, if you are an aspiring engineer graduating in 2023, why not take this opportunity to take a "virtual interview"? Beyond is probably the only company that uses such a unique selection method

I believe that students looking for jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic have many anxieties, so I would like to make the interviews something that those people can enjoy at least a little

If you think, "I can't trust a company that conducts interviews like that!", please our online company information session . You'll be able to see the CEO, engineers, and recruiters face-to-face. We'll thoroughly explain the job details and hold a Q&A session.

Of course, we are also conducting regular selection procedures, so after listening to the company briefing, you can choose whether you want a virtual interview or a regular interview

• 23 graduates Online company information session/Engineer Q&A
• Virtual interview application page
• Beyond Co., Ltd. Recruitment site

Media Coverage

Thankfully, virtual interviews have been covered in various media outlets, so we have included links to the articles below

[PANORA] Beyond conducts virtual interviews for engineering recruitment, with both interviewers and students communicating via avatars

[SankeiBiz] Avatars used in interviews for new graduates: Personal information such as educational background and gender is unnecessary. "Interesting content is important."

[Namba Keizai Shimbun] Namba IT company hires new graduates through virtual interviews, with interviewers and students conversing with each other as avatars

[ICT Education News] Beyond begins hiring engineers graduating in 2023 using "virtual interviews" using avatars

[GIZMODO] Gender, educational background, and age don't matter. A new company is hiring server engineers through virtual interviews

[ABEMA TIMES] "Recruitment without being bound by appearance or title" - Interview with the company president about his "face-hiding" hiring practices that emphasize inner qualities

This is Fujisawa, in charge of public relations and recruitment