Dive Brief:

• As the tech world gets more hands-free, LinkedIn is not falling behind. Adding voice messaging to LinkedIn conversations, the professional networking service wants to give recruiters an alternative way to connect with candidates, actively and passively, while taking out the drudgery of hiring.
• For recruiters trying to establish a rapport with a potential hire, voice messaging gives the recipient a "real person" connection that employers can build on to bring a candidate on board, LinkedIn said. When recruiters enable candidates to pair a voice to a name that will soon become a face, the candidate experience gets a boost from the familiar human touch.
• In a fast-paced recruiting environment, allowing candidates to hear a message and then reply by voice could save everyone time, LinkedIn said. Available now on iOS and Android, LinkedIn said it will roll out the new feature to all users in the coming weeks.

Dive Insight:

Adding a more personal touch will likely resonate with candidates who are always looking for a more personal experience in the application process. As businesses try to compete in an ever-tightening applicant market, they need every advantage available as they wage the war for talent. For candidates, a friendly, enthusiastic voice asking if they'd like to meet can add a bit of excitement that puts one potential employer ahead of another.

The ability to hear messages, rather than take time to stop and read them, is another plus, particularly for busy recruiters and candidates. As more candidates turn to their smartphones to search and apply for jobs, an efficient application experience that suits their mobile-ready expectations may motivate them to at least finish the first steps of the recruitment process. According to a report by the Society for Human Resource Management, 60% of job seekers abandon online applications before completion because they're too long or complex.

A positive mobile experience can also provide a first look into an employer; whether or not they're tech-savvy may be a determining factor for some. For others, convenience may be key. As they streamline the recruitment process, employers should keep in mind that some generations will have a different response to the emerging technology than others.