Facebook wants to help its out-of-work users find employment.
Its Social Jobs app, launched Nov. 15, is the outcome of the social media site’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.
The app lists jobs from online job boards like BranchOut, DirectEmployers Association, Work4Labs, Jobvite and Monster.com. Users can currently peruse more than 1.7 million openings, Facebook says. A ticker at the top of the app shows the exact number of available jobs.
“Research conducted by our team found that social media is becoming an increasingly important resource for both job seekers and job recruiters,” says Marilyn Mackes, executive director of NACE. “We are excited about the launch of the app, which will give job seekers greater access to opportunities. This is a positive step forward for the Social Jobs Partnership, and NACE is pleased to be a part of the team.”
While LinkedIn, traditionally, has been the social network of choice for professionals and job seekers, members of the Social Jobs partnership call Facebook an ideal forum for job seekers and recruiters.
In fact, NACE researchers found Facebook to be an important part of the hiring process.
The survey found:
• Fifty percent of employers are using Facebook in the hiring process. Fifty-four percent of those already using the social network believe Facebook will become a more important part of procuring talent in the near future.
• Nearly 90 percent of companies said Facebook has decreased the amount of print advertising needed to recruiting workers, making Facebook a cost-effective way to find new talent.
• Of companies using Facebook to acquire new potential employees, more than half state the importance of networking and referrals. The No. 1 suggestion by 87 percent of recruiters is for candidates using Facebook to ‘Like’ a desired company’s Facebook page, followed by using Facebook as a networking tool.
Facebook will not begin listing jobs, rather the app will act as a search tool allowing users to find jobs. Once they find a job that interests them, they are directed to another app. The listings often link back to the hiring company’s Facebook page. If they wish to apply, they would be referred back to the company’s official website.
“Making jobs easily accessible to job seekers around the nation has always been a goal of DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies,” says Bill Warren, executive director of DirectEmployers.
“By launching this application through the Social Jobs Partnership on Facebook, the National Labor Exchange employment opportunities will become more accessible while being placed on a platform that users are already familiar with. This initiative will also aid in getting Americans back to work.”
Post from: SiteProNews
