Bumble has launched Bizz, first announced last July – a new mode in its already-existing app for professional mentoring and networking.
Bizz allows users to swipe to find connections to network with Bumble's 20 million users and follows the "women make the first move" concept that the app is based on. By letting women choose who they wish to chat with, Bumble hopes that Bizz will "help clear up the grey areas in networking that often make women feel uncomfortable."
Bizz profiles allow users to add verified photos, a skills section, digital resumes and examples of their work. The app, of course, has been compared to LinkedIn. However, Bumble appears to be distancing itself from the LinkedIn platform. It insists that the Bizz mode in the app is designed for "networking and mentoring, not job searching or recruiting."
So if you're trying to find a job ASAP, this probably isn't the best place to look.
The HR team at Bumble will be on the app as well, and Bumble is committed to hiring 10 people discovered through Bizz. So if you're keen to work for Bumble, just hover around in the general vicinity of their offices and hope that your profile eventually ends up on their profile!
Bizz will join BFF as an additional mode within the Bumble app, which was introduced last year to help users find their new best friend. Mode switching means that users can manage three different profiles for each of the separate modes. You can literally use this app to find all types of relationships you'd like to make with different people – work, friendship and dating!
However, with the profile UIs all looking pretty similar, there's nothing but the Bumble Bizz logo to separate it from the main Bumble mode – so make sure to pay attention when you're swiping so no accidents happen!
If you're in a relationship, make sure to explain to your partner that it's just for networking if they see the Bumble icon on your screen!
