Bumble, the mobile dating app, has introduced Bizz, a career networking function where users can make professional connections.
Users can also upload their resume, write details of their education and experience, and fill in a professional bio. Bumble is the first app of it’s kind to combine ‘swiping’ left or right with an emphasis on ‘female-first’, as women must send the first message.
Launched in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe, one of Tinder’s founders, the app now has 20 million users worldwide. Bumble Bizz will launch in the USA, Germany, Canada, France and the UK today, and aims to make connecting with professionals much easier.
By letting women choose who they want to talk to, Bumble claims that Bizz will “help clear up the gray areas in networking that often make women feel uncomfortable,” Bumble told The Verge.
As well as looking for employers who may be hiring, the app will also let users find ‘mentors’. These will give advice, answer questions and provide live mentoring sessions. The app will include photo strict verification tools to ensure the authenticity of all it’s users, and will be completely free.
Bizz will allow users to upload a digital CV, as well as fill in ‘skills’ sections to showcase each users talents and accolades.
A portfolio can also be added to each profile so that potential employers or mentors can get a feel for your work before matching with you.
In an online statement, the company said:
“Bumble has facilitated over 350 million women-led first moves and had over 3 billion messages sent.”
“We designed Bumble to be a platform that encourages positive, impactful interactions in love, friendship, and now business.”
“The group stresses that the app is for “networking and mentoring, not job searching or recruiting.”
However, Bumble’s own HR team will be on the app, as Bumble has committed to hiring 10 people discovered through the Bizz app.
