Some other MMOs have this type of thing, and it didn't really harm their social interactions.

Basically, you interact with a NPC or object that lists all available guilds that are listed as recruiting with said NPC/object. Any new or veteran player can interact with it and choose whichever they want to join to their liking rather than shouting numerous times in shout/yell chat about a place to join. Once they select the guild they want, they'll have to fill in a text box explaining their application, then it gets sent off for an officer or Guildmaster to accept.

Couldn't something like this exist at Grand Companies?