It was only a matter of time before LinkedIn and Craig’s List would be going toe-to-toe in the job board market with the biggest social network in the western world. Facebook has finally announced its entry into this highly competitive industry.
As of yesterday, Facebook now has the capability to let employers post jobs directly to their corporate pages. Facebook users can then apply for jobs using their already entered personal data. Completed applications are then submitted via the social media website’s Messenger application. The job posting and application process is designed so that employers and prospects can communicate during the recruitment process entirely in Facebook.
Currently posting a job is free for employers, and there’s no limit to how many posts an organization can have. However, they must pay to boost postings through targeted campaigns in news feeds.
Employers have been posting their open positions on Facebook for a number of years. They can now collect applicant data from the social media giant as well. If the process becomes popular, it will be because it is easier for employers to find the candidates they seek. In essence, going where the fish are.
This news may not be so great for existing job platforms like LinkedIn. LinkedIn, and other sites like it, charge employers and their recruiters fees in order to post and promote jobs. At this point, sites like Craig’s List and the aforementioned LinkedIn have a bit of a head-start. Facebook isn’t necessarily the first place many job-seekers would think to search for jobs – especially older candidates. But Facebook has more than 200 million user in the United States alone. LinkedIn reportedly has nearly 130 million users in the U.S.A.
According to PewResearchCenter, 68% of all U.S. adults are Facebook users, while 25% use LinkedIn. Facebook users also use that website far more often than LinkedIn users. Seventy-six percent of Facebook users access their account every day, while only 18% of LinkedIn users login on a daily basis.
The new feature is currently only available in the U.S.A. and Canada.
