If you haven’t been using Facebook as a job search tool, you are missing out on some good opportunities. We have covered LinkedIn and Twitter in the past but haven’t had a chance to do a post on how beneficial Facebook can be for job hunters. So here it is, a Facebook guide for job seekers.

Why Facebook?

The fact that Facebook has more than 300 million active users is a good enough reason to use it as a job search and networking tool. Although Twitter seems to be the most popular platform among job seekers as far as social networking sites go, the power and the reach Facebook provides cannot be ignored. One of the reason Facebook is so important as a job search tool is because every business and brand that knows the power of web are already there. Another thing that you should note as a job seeker is that many recruiters are constantly scouring social networking sites to reach out to potential candidates, and Facebook is a platform they don’t ignore. If you are thinking of using social sites as a job search tool – something you should already be doing – you should definitely have a presence on Facebook.

Keep In Mind

There are certain things you need to keep in mind when it comes using Facebook as a job search tool. Many people fail to understand the concept of leaving footprints on the web. What you do and what you say online is remarkably easy to track. Too many people get overly comfortable on social platforms and end up losing jobs and opportunities. Some common examples are saying things that shouldn’t be said in public and uploading images that are too personal or provocative. These types of online behaviors taint your reputation and raise questions about your veracity, and have a nasty habit of floating around the web for a long time.

If you are using Facebook solely for personal use these things may not matter as much, but remember this post is about using Facebook professionally, and more specifically in respect to job search. Be careful and be sensible when using this platform. If you wouldn’t say something in front of a crowd of 300 million in the real world, you should not to do it online either. Be wise and make intelligent decisions every time you log into Facebook, just remember, your Facebook activities can either land you a job, or position you as someone ineligible for any type of work.

Now that we have talked a bit about why and how Facebook should be utilized for job hunting, let’s get down to the features that makes Facebook such an awesome networking/job search platform for job seekers. One of the reason Facebook is so popular among recruiters, employers and job seekers is because of the many features it provides. Let’s talk a bit about each of them and see how you can get the most out of it as far as finding a job opportunity goes.

Facebook Search

Facebook’s search feature is one of the most important feature if you’re using it as a job search tool. When you search for a particular term on Facebook, you can narrow it down to people, pages, groups, link, etc. which gives you wide range of options as to who to network with and reach out to.  For instance, if you are looking for jobs related to “animation” you can simply search for that term and connect with people in that particular field. You can search for people who are animators, join groups and pages or simply find links that have the term “animation” in them. This allows you to connect with like minded people and build a relationship with them which can help you find a job later. Also if you are searching for links, you might find a job where someone is looking for an animator.

The image below shows search results for the word “animation.” You can choose people, pages, application, etc.

Additionally, you can also find links to blog posts or job openings for “animation.” To find links that contain the word “animation” simply click on “posts by friends” or “posts by everyone” on the left. Once you click either one based on your preference, you can now search for links, wall updates or Facebook notes that have the word “animation” in them.

Facebook Pages and Groups

Two very important features of Facebook are “Facebook Pages” and “Facebook Groups.” These features allow you to join a group of people with similar interests, or simply provide an opportunity for you to learn more about a company or connect with recruiters via Facebook. Remember, Facebook has over 300 million active users and there are many employers and recruiters waiting to find their next candidate on the site. The first rule of job hunting is to let others know that you are available. Your active participation and engagement in these groups will help recruiters determine whether you are a good fit when there is a job opening.

One thing to keep in mind when joining groups and pages is that you want to narrow down as much as possible based on your field of expertise. Let’s continue with the “animation” example. If you are an animator, you can use the “search feature” to find pages and groups that are created for animators. Make sure to be an active user in these groups because when a job opportunity becomes available, recruiters looking for animators will definitely look into specific groups and pages to see who they can contact based on their participation and skills. Also Facebook has many groups and pages for career minded individuals as well as recruiters. Use the word “recruiter” when searching and you should be able to find many groups and pages. Choose the ones that seem active and start participating.

The image below shows one of the popular recruiters group on Facebook called Recruiters On Facebook. You can also search for application, pages, links etc. for the word “recruiters” or any other terms related to your job search. If you want to work for a particular company, you can search for people, groups, pages etc. for that particular company and build a strong relationship with them. This will ensure that when there is a opening, you are at the top of their contact list.

Facebook Applications

Facebook is such an amazing job search tool because of all the features it offers. Now that we have looked into the search, pages and groups features, it’s time to talk a bit about Facebook applications. Facebook allows developers to create applications and as a result there are many applications out there. Some are downright dumb and are simply a waste of time. I am sure you have seen Mafia Family and all other kind of games and quizzes on Facebook, those are all examples of applications.

However, there are some really good applications for job hunters on Facebook that allows you to get more out of Facebook and other job search sites. For example, the Easy-CV application on Facebook allows you to add a short summary of your resume on your Facebook Profile and a dedicated page for the complete CV. People can then download your resume directly from your Facebook profile. If you are following and reaching out to the right people, applications like these can be a huge boost for your job search.

Here is a collection of 20 Facebook application for job hunters

Facebook Marketplace

I am not sure why but Facebook Marketplace is one of those features that never gets much attention. It may not be as wide spread and as popular a feature among all other features that Facebook provides, but it certainly is one that you should check into every once in a while. You can find the link to Facebook Marketplace at the bottom left.

After you click on the marketplace icon you will be directed to a page which shows listings such as for sale items, housing, jobs, etc. This is what the marketplace looks like. To find more jobs simply click on jobs and you will be able to see all the jobs listed in the marketplace.

Facebook Ads

This is another strong feature of Facebook. Although ads are usually associated with products and businesses, it’s a good idea to utilize this feature when searching for jobs. The main reason behind using Facebook ads for your job search is that you can target your ads and pin point who sees them. Although these ads may not land you a job, the fact that for a mere 10-15 dollars you can be seen more than 20,000 times, it’s certainly an option to consider.

You can find the link to the Facebook ad at the bottom left.

Once you get to the Facebook Ad page, here is what it looks like. Once again, remember that Facebook allows you to target your ad so you can pretty much pin point who sees it. Make sure to utilize this feature.

Here is an article where some job seekers share their experience on using Facebook Ads for Job Search

Hope this guide was useful. If there is anything I missed as far as using Facebook for job search goes, please feel free to let me know.

This guide is available for download on scribd and docstoc.

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