The Brutal Truth About Networking Apps Everyone Needs to Hear

“Professional networking has become more like a video game where you’re amassing connections like points, trying to top the leaderboard, instead of making meaningful connections,” says David Olk in his latest column for Inc.

If you’re like most people, you probably find yourself using LinkedIn to regularly connect with people you hardly know (but you’re not sure why). As a result, business networking loses its authenticity and is promulgated with professional spam. I’m not sure about your LinkedIn inbox, but mine is flooded with messages from biz dev people hawking irrelevant information. There’s Svetlana in Croatia trying to sling me developers (hint: that’s not Svetlana).

None of us need more email in our lives.

When you do try to use it as a customer relationship management (CRM) tool, or an opening to connect with another person, you quickly realize the holes.

Me: “Hey Jen, I see you’re connected to Melinda. I’d love to get in touch with her to talk about her new fund. Can you connect us?”

Jen: “I have no idea who Melinda is or how I’m connected to this person. Sorry!”

That’s why online networking works only if it leads to building authentic relationships offline. Don’t get me wrong, platforms like LinkedIn help make introductions, but it doesn’t go far enough to matter. Luckily, more and more tech companies are catching on.

1. Bumble

Bumble just entered the career space with its new app Bumble Bizz. Women swipe to find other professional female connections and mentors based on resume tidbits, industry info, and other personal stats. If you’re on the platform, there’s an understanding that you’re there to help one another with your careers.

For the low-down on three more apps and some important takeaways, see the full article as published here.