Yesterday LinkedIn announced they are increasing the ways users can have conversations by adding Voice Messaging to its offering. For recruiters this represents a new way to engage potential candidates.
Voice messaging is rolling out now in the LinkedIn app on iOS and Android, and you can receive voice messages on mobile and on web.
Here’s how it will work;
- Simply tap the microphone icon in the mobile messaging keyboard, then tap and hold on the microphone in the circle to record your voice message and release your finger to send.
- If you want to cancel before sending, slide your finger away from the microphone icon while holding it down.
LinkedIn Voice
- Chris Murdock, Senior Partner and co-founder of IQTalent Partners in Nashville told me “it’s a cool idea” but he would love to also have video. “We tend to see most of our client on Hangouts, Zoom, Teams, Slack.” When asked if he will encourage his recruiters and sourcers to use the features he said yes, “anything we can do to differentiate ourselves and engage with top talent.”
- Steve Levy, veteran sourcer/recruiter from New York had a different take, saying he is dubious about using it in place of text, over worries that people will just use it like voicemail or telemarketers.
As a former recruiter myself I applaud the idea. It can help differentiate your outreach. But it will be up to recruiters to use it wisely. My advice is be memorable and use it to set yourself apart from the competition. It will certainly be interesting to hear how it will be used and how users will respond.