Facebook and Job Searching

Should you use Facebook for professional networking, and, if so, what is the best way to use it?

Privacy is an issue on Facebook, in general, but it's even more of an issue when you're job searching. If you're not careful, everything you post on Facebook can be seen by your current employer or a prospective employer. Inopportune comments have cost job seekers offers and have caused employees to be fired.

Monster's Facebook app BeKnown provides an easy way for job seekers to search for and apply for jobs without leaving Facebook. Once you've set up a profile, you can view and apply for jobs, see company information, get endorsed, and apply for jobs directly from the app. Even better, you're automatically matched with jobs, based on the...

Facebook's Marketplace has a Jobs section, where job seekers can search for jobs directly on Facebook by location, keyword, job title, industry, company, and type of position.

If you are a Facebook user and are concerned about employers (or others) seeing the personal information that you have on Facebook, you can change your privacy settings so only certain people, like your friends or other students, can view your profile.

Simply Hired's Facebook application provides a way for job seekers to view job openings at their friends' companies and to send messages to their friends at those companies to see if they can help with their job search.

Information on getting fired for posting on Facebook and other online sites. Advice for employees and employers on what employees can post on Facebook and other social media sites, along with the issues employers needs to be aware of when creating social media policies.

Just about everyone is using Facebook for personal networking, but you can use it for professional networking, as well. You can take advantage of all those friends you have and use Facebook Applications to enhance your job search.

Here's how to find job search Facebook apps and how to add them to your Facebook page.

BranchOut is a Facebook app that lets you use Facebook for career networking. When you install BranchOut you have the option to import information from your LinkedIn profile, so you can easily create a professional profile on Facebook without having to edit your Facebook page.

CareerBuilder Facebook app users can have updated job and internship postings delivered directly from CareerBuilder to their Facebook profiles.

Hire My Friend is a Facebook app that enables you to help your friends who are job searching.

IngBoo provides a place in Facebook for job seekers to organize their job searches and stay on top of new job listings without leaving Facebook.

Jobvite's Work With Us application displays jobs on profile or fan pages. Users can browse interesting opportunities at companies where friends work, apply to the jobs and send Jobvites to their own friends and contacts.

LinkUp’s Facebook App places a jobs widget on a company’s Facebook wall, as well as a separate Jobs tab on the company Fan Page that lists all of the current job listings from the company’s corporate website. When Facebook users click on a job listing on Facebook, they are directed to the job listing on the company’s website to apply.

Looking for salary information? Job Search Intelligence has two Facebook apps, a salary calculator and a major calculator, that enable job seekers to compare salaries and to find information on top-paying careers.

Get job search and career advice, tips, and techniques on Facebook.