Dive Brief:
- Microsoft is retiring its Dynamics 365 Talent Attract and Talent Onboard apps as of February 2020 and replacing them with LinkedIn Talent Hub to bolster HR operations, the company announced in a Dec. 6 blog post. The tech giant is rebranding its HR tech suite as Dynamics 365 Human Resources. According to Microsoft, the new name "reflects our commitment to helping HR professionals create data-driven programs that improve the employee experience."
- Dynamics 365 Human Resources will offer workplaces insights into what's needed to build "data-driven employee experiences," the company said. LinkedIn Talent Hub, the platform's recently announced applicant tracking software, for example, will offer visibility at all phases of the hiring process, from talent pipelines and candidates' feedback on interviews to extended job offers.
- Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion, though the social media platform has largely operated on its own since.
Dive Insight:
Low unemployment rates are challenging recruiters to find innovative ways to recruit talent — and providing opportunity to platforms that promise recruiters the ability to cut through the noise. LinkedIn may be particularly primed for this opportunity, as its social media offering is already a well-known aspect of the space.
LinkedIn announced the availability of Talent Hub in September. At the same time, it also introduced its new LinkedIn Recruiter Mobile App and the integration of LinkedIn Talent Insights within LinkedIn Recruiter & Jobs. John Jersin, LinkedIn VP of Product Management, commented in a media release about the significance of these types of tech developments: "What worked before is no longer applicable today," he said. "Talent leaders need more intelligent tools and new ways of thinking to find the right talent, improve diversity, and close the skills gap."
Launched in 2018, LinkedIn Talent Insights was designed to provide companies with the data they need to identify industry trends and grow their businesses. The platform generates two reports: the talent report, which gives recruiters access to such specific data as where talent pools are located and which schools are cultivating top performers; and the company report, which helps hiring managers discover where companies lose or gain talent or which segments of the workforce are at risk.
