Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a potential solution for mitigating bias in a job interview by hiding the applicants' demographic features. The current study examines the use of a gender-swapped avatar in a virtual job interview that affects the applicants' perceptions and their performance evaluated by recruiters. With a mixed-method approach, we first conducted a lab experiment (N=8) exploring how using a gender-swapped avatar in a virtual job interview impacts perceived anxiety, confidence, competence, and ability to perform. Then, a semi-structured interview investigated the participants' VR interview experiences using an avatar. Our findings suggest that using gender-swapped avatars may reduce the anxiety that job applicants will experience during the interview. Also, the affinity diagram produced seven key themes highlighting the advantages and limitations of VR as an interview platform. These findings contribute to the emerging field of VR-based recruitment and have practical implications for promoting diversity and inclusion in the hiring process.

翻译：虚拟现实（VR）已成为一种潜在解决方案，通过隐藏求职者的人口统计学特征来减少求职面试中的偏见。本研究考察了在虚拟求职面试中使用性别互换虚拟形象如何影响求职者的感知以及招聘者对其表现的评价。采用混合方法，我们首先进行了一项实验室实验（N=8），探索在虚拟求职面试中使用性别互换虚拟形象对感知焦虑、自信、胜任能力和表现能力的影响。随后，通过半结构化访谈调查了参与者使用虚拟形象的VR面试体验。研究结果表明，使用性别互换虚拟形象可能减少求职者在面试过程中体验到的焦虑。此外，亲和图分析产生了七个关键主题，突出了VR作为面试平台的优势与局限性。这些发现为基于VR的招聘这一新兴领域做出了贡献，并对促进招聘过程中的多样性与包容性具有实际意义。