LinkedIn has announced an overhaul of its mobile app experience and announced new features in an attempt to create the "next generation" of the social network.
At Talent Connect Anaheim, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner announced an overhaul of LinkedIn’s mobile application with a "mobile-first" approach, code-named ‘Project Voyager.’
The new light-weight approach will bring in a notification tab called ‘Me’, allowing users to view statistics about who has viewed their profile.
The homepage news feed will now present more relevant content, and a tab called ‘My Networks’ will provide updates from LinkedIn connections.
"Email’s out, messaging’s in" displayed on Weiner’s screen as he announced a new messaging based communication service on the app.
The new app, currently available in Beta, will be available in a few weeks on iOS, Android and the web.
LinkedIn also announced additional tools for recruiters. Employers can now enter the name of their ‘rockstar employee’ and be provided with a list of similar profiles.
There is also a new LinkedIn Referrals product, which automatically identifies first-degree connections of employees that match your open jobs on LinkedIn.
Employees can see matched connections and send them open jobs via LinkedIn or email. The employer receives a referral if the member applies.
Weiner also announced the company’s vision of providing a digital profile for every person, company and educational facility, as well as digital representations of every job and every skill.
"LinkedIn usage is evolving," said Rob Bamforth, Principal Analyst at Quocirca. "You can see this in the way connections used to be accepted periodically; it used to be that the platform was used sporadically rather than as an everyday tool.
"It was a recruitment tool that people used when needed. It is becoming more frequently used. The mobile app has some flaws and makes it harder for instant, quick, hourly interactions."
