Could your next job be hidden in your Facebook newsfeed?

Facebook recently celebrated the international launch of its booming new job-search feature: Facebook job postings. It arrived in the UK and 40 other countries one year after its successful launch in the United States and Canada in early 2017. Predicted to become the leading competitor to LinkedIn, the service is conveniently geared toward local and small businesses, with Facebook job postings currently free to list.

How does it work?

Job listings display in two places: on a company's Facebook page and in the Jobs dashboard, accessible via the Explore feed. In the Jobs dashboard, you can search for a job via keyword, location, category, or job type. You can also apply for a position, edit your application form, and manage existing applications through the dashboard. After you've applied for a role, the company can contact you privately via Messenger.  

The pros

The cons

  • You can't upload your CV when submitting applications

  • Prospective employers can see everything that you make public on your Facebook page

  • It's still new, so there aren't as many Facebook job postings as you'd find on LinkedIn or traditional job boards such as Indeed or Reed

Understandably, some job seekers may be cautious about using their personal Facebook profile to apply for jobs, as it blurs the line between personal life and work life. However, there are some simple things you can do to keep these two worlds separate and increase your chances of success. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Start liking

If you're applying for a job via the Jobs dashboard, make sure you "like" the company's Facebook page. Not only will you see future job postings and updates on your newsfeed, but it also gives the impression that you have a genuine interest in the company. Basically, it looks good.

Become best friends with your privacy settings

Prospective employers can only see the information you've made public on your Facebook page. Before applying for anything, take a moment to review your privacy settings and become familiar with what's public and what's private. If you're going to be speaking with a potential employer over Facebook, you want to make sure that any embarrassing or inappropriate comments or photos aren't visible.

Preload your education and work history

One of the best features of the Facebook job search is the ability to preload important information. This means that relevant information such as your education and work history is pulled from your profile and preloaded into your job application. Therefore, jump into your Facebook profile and input your education and work history. This will save you time when applying for jobs.

Have a short cover letter template ready to go

You can't add your CV to the job application, but there is a text box where you can input a short cover letter of 1,000 characters or less. The general rule is that every cover letter should be tailored to the job you're applying for. To make it easier, it might be wise to create a short template that you can input, and then amend the parts that need to be changed to fit the position. For some guidance, you can check out this article on what to include in a cover letter. 

It's all in the profile picture

Your profile picture is going to be one of the first things that a potential employer sees after you submit an application for a Facebook job posting. Therefore, avoid choosing anything that may be considered inappropriate for a job application.

While still relatively new, Facebook's job-search function is already garnering attention. Will it prove to be the LinkedIn alternative many job seekers have been waiting for? Let's wait and see.

If you take to Facebook for your job search, you should still have a traditional CV for other opportunities. Where does yours stand? Get a free CV review to find out.

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