Bumble is changing up the status quo again with a business networking service that puts women at the forefront of fostering professional opportunities. On Friday the 4-year-old social app known for dating introduced Bizz, which connects users with almost anyone, including social influencers, brands, industry professionals, and potential mentors.
We connected millions of people for friendship and dating. Now, we’re introducing the ability to network! https://t.co/rE3zhphVpF
— Bumble (@bumble) October 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/SnyderNewYork/status/922543997024899079
All you have to do is open up Bumble and swipe right to the new pink page for its professional sector. Potential connections are curated by geo-targeting people within a certain vicinity. Just like its dating and friend-making platforms, all you have to do is swipe left or right to add someone into your network. And women are still in charge.
“Every single day women are being approached in a ‘professional capacity’ with the intentions of, really, something different. Networking is extremely masculine,” Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd shared with Vogue. “It’s a vulnerable thing to admit to, but even I experience feeling super insecure around certain masculine meetings. So, we put women in control.”
Instead of perusing through photos of people’s latest #fitnessinspo photos or curated selfies, Bizz opens up to a professional shot of someone, and you can then scroll through to see photos of their work, a digital resume, and skills section. Each user is required to make a profile with a headline and about me section.
The profile allows you share four jobs on your profile at a time and add six photos—be wise with the type of image you curate as that is the first look potential connections will get before ultimately connecting or passing. If you need a little help with crafting a profile, Bumble has some sage advice on putting together a compelling one that is easily applicable to job hunting in general.
Bizz will also be implementing the same photo verification tool used for its dating and BFF services to ensure the people you’re connecting with are who they claim to be. When you’re done (or exhausted) with networking, all you have to do is go back to the home screen and swipe left or right to switch modes. All the services are integrated, unlike LinkedIn where you have to download individual separate apps for their jobs and student platforms.
If you’re on the fence about using the app, Bumble is hosting a grant competition that will give away over $50,000 in grants to entrepreneurs who met through Bumble. Five teams will be chosen to win $10,000 in addition to three-month WeWork passes, a new laptop, and one day of mentorship from the company’s CEO and executive team members at the Austin headquarters. The competition closes Oct. 31.
Despite rolling out the service just last week, Bumble is already hosting networking events and panels for Bizz users. The new service is open to users in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
H/T Bumble
