{"id":14742,"date":"2016-11-15T21:03:29","date_gmt":"2016-11-16T02:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/a-video-game-that-transforms-the-job-market\/"},"modified":"2016-11-15T21:05:40","modified_gmt":"2016-11-16T02:05:40","slug":"a-video-game-that-transforms-the-job-market","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/a-video-game-that-transforms-the-job-market\/","title":{"rendered":"A video game that transforms the job market"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are experiencing increased inequality in the US economy. <\/strong>According to economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, US wealth inequality increased significantly over the past forty years. In the 1970\u2019s, the top 10% of US families earned less than 10% of the total US income. Today, the top 1% of US families earn more than 20% of the total US income. Though some inequality is a natural by-product of a capitalist economy, increasing inequality can have a negative impact on the economy and on the society at large. According to historian Tony Judt, \u201cthere has been a collapse in intergenerational mobility\u2026 economic disadvantage for the overwhelming majority translates to ill health, missed educational opportunity, and\u2014increasingly\u2014the familiar symptoms of depression: alcoholism, obesity, gambling, and minor criminality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Digital technology can create more equitable access to economic opportunity. Knack is a company that aims to do exactly that.<\/strong> Knack has designed a video game to measure and showcase the \u201ctalents, traits, competencies, and career aptitudes\u201d of job candidates that are otherwise difficult to detect. The game\u2019s algorithm assesses characteristics such as mindset, decision making, social and emotional intelligence, character, leadership potential, thinking, creativity, and team effectiveness among others. Employers can use Knack to measure the key traits and characteristics of their current top performers, and then compare these metrics to the metrics of job candidates. Knack is designed to complement or potentially replace the current resume screening process.<\/p>\n

This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way companies screen candidates. <\/strong>Rather than depending on signals from a person\u2019s resume (e.g. Alma mater, past work experience), employers can get deep insights into the way job candidates think and behave. This tool may help employers remove natural biases in their recruiting process. It can also help employers recruit a more diverse pool of employees that are a better fit for the job.<\/p>\n

Using this technology, job seekers can send a clear signal of their traits and capabilities. <\/strong>Job candidates will have more equitable access to job opportunities. Applicants may no longer require a degree from a prestigious university to get an employer\u2019s attention. Students or job seekers using the tool may discover a new talent, trait, or characteristic that makes them valuable to employers. Knack may even provide academic or professional inspiration to someone who has a limited view of their career opportunities.<\/p>\n

Though Knack has the potential revolutionize the labor market, it cannot do it alone.<\/strong> Human Resource departments will need to adapt this technology to evaluate not only their current employees but also their job candidates. They will need to redesign their recruiting process. Employees who are hired through the Knack system may require different training or career development programs to match their skills, traits, and areas for development. Company culture will need to welcome and encourage a more diverse workplace.<\/p>\n

Knack can help build this ecosystem by sharing its technology and mission with key stakeholders.<\/strong> By working with universities, educational institutions, and human resources departments Knack can build familiarity with and confidence in its product. Collaborating with companies on their recruiting process and employee training programs, Knack could refine its product design to better meet the needs of both employees and job candidates.<\/p>\n

Knack can also build a suite of technology to complement its current tool.<\/strong> To truly achieve an equitable job market, job seekers and employers needs resources beyond the Knack video games. Knack could develop more accessible career coaching, training, and job search resources for job seekers. They could develop a comprehensive recruitment tool for employers that syncs with companies\u2019 existing digital HR tools. Knack could develop educational curriculum to help students identify and build on their natural talents and traits.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m eager to see how Knack changes the game.<\/p>\n