One ‘Ping’ Away: New Mobile App Transforms Student Networking, Recruiting Despite Social Distancing
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.: Tallo, a digital platform that connects talent with opportunities, has launched Ping, a user-friendly web-based app that matches students with postsecondary institutions and employers of interest – at a time when the nation has never needed it more.
Ping provides a place where employers and postsecondary schools can not only host their own virtual recruitment events, but get matched with the most interested and/or qualified high school students, college students and jobseekers.
“When the COVID cancellations started, we knew we had to ramp up efforts to bring Ping to market,” said Casey Welch, Tallo CEO and co-founder. “Even in person, it can be hard for students, schools and employers to get themselves in front of the people with whom they’re most strongly matched. We’re very proud and excited to now present Ping as a solution to that issue.”
After quickly and easily creating their profile and answering a handful of event-specific questions, students and jobseekers are matched to recruiters and given a score to reflect the strength of that match. Scores are awarded on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a great fit. Students and recruiters can view their match scores, and use them as a starting point for a conversation and further connection.
“In not only matching people together based on interests and goals, but telling them just how strong we believe that match to be, we are reshaping networking events to become more efficient than ever before,” said Welch. “Now, talent and talent seekers can use Ping to determine how to best utilize their networking time and resources.”
After evaluating their match scores, connecting is simple: Recruiters can send students a message – or vice versa – by “ping”-ing them to initiate or continue a conversation during or after an event.
Colleges and companies can join existing events or create their own. Ping is kicking things off with a Southeastern Health Science College Fair on Aug. 5, a California College Fair on Aug. 12, and a Diversity in STEM Career Fair in the fall. Talent seeker participants can connect with Tallo’s more than one million users.
“While connecting with students is always a fun challenge to embrace, this year we're getting creative in the ways we're hoping to connect with future Pitt Panthers,” said Lauren Wright, director of Undergraduate Recruitment for the University of Pittsburgh. “We’re looking forward to working with Ping as one of those creative solutions.”
