As a direct challenge to career-based social media networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook has released a new tool that will allow companies and businesses to natively post job listings via their Facebook page and to appear in the new jobs bookmark.
This feature, unveiled in late February, also allows users to quickly and easily submit pre-populated application forms (with information provided by users to Facebook) including name, cell phone number and email address, as well as any education or previous employment information listed in users’ profiles. The form will also prompt users to include a 1,000-character (250-word) cover letter for their application.
/ HOW TO SET UP A FACEBOOK JOB POSTING
SETUP
To create a job listing, page managers simply begin by adding a new post from their business’ page and select “Create a Job Post” from the post options.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
To publish a job post, businesses must provide details to introduce the job to potential candidates. The job post will automatically populate with an “Apply Now” CTA button. Adding a photo related to the business or role, entering a salary range, and providing up to 5,000 characters of additional information will help the post reach the right candidates and improve response from applicants.
Users seeking jobs on Facebook may search within a 2-to-100-mile radius of any location, and sort by industry categories such as real estate, local businesses, beauty, restaurants/cafés, nonprofits, consulting agencies, shopping/retail – and for part-time, full-time, contract jobs, volunteer work, or internships.
When an application has been submitted by a user within Facebook, it will be sent directly to page admins via Messenger, keeping both page admins and applying users within Facebook throughout the application and contact process.
/ WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MARKETERS
BRANDS CAN RECRUIT THEIR BIGGEST FANS
The most successful brands have a dedicated and loyal group of fans. The advocacy and support these fans provide is incredibly valuable, and the new Jobs tool is the perfect opportunity for page managers to reach and recruit brand advocates to work for the for the company.
KEEP USERS IN-PLATFORM
After a user applies for a job posted on Facebook, the social network sends the submitted job posting to the page administrator via the Messenger app. This approach tightly integrates businesses into Facebook’s network of products, keeping them engaged within the network. The benefit for Facebook comes in the form of additional user data and performance insights.
TEST JOB POSTINGS TO GAUGE EFFICACY
Currently free of charge, creating job posts could be an excellent way for both large and small businesses to reach a pool of local talent at scale. Utilizing paid media to amplify open positions could also help to spread awareness and fill vital roles faster. Nina Hale anticipates that Facebook will initially prioritize job posts within its algorithm to users seeking employment, meaning page managers should immediately begin testing this opportunity. Additionally, should the new post type prove useful for users, effective for companies, and profitable for Facebook, the social network will likely devote additional resources to improve the application experience and streamline the creation of new positions.