Free job postings are making a comeback on Facebook after being discontinued a few years back.
Free job postings are making a comeback on Facebook after being discontinued a few years back.
Meta, a firm that is known for attaching new functionalities to its platforms, is adding another feature to Facebook: job postings. This is in fact a return to the past — Facebook first launched job postings in 2017, but discontinued it in under five years. However, job listings are back now with a focus on local entry-level, service, and trades roles.
Job advertisements are found in a tab within the Marketplace section of Facebook, but Meta indicates they might also be highlighted in relevant groups. Business pages can also share their own job postings. Jobs are accessible only to users aged 18 and up, and must adhere to Facebook’s regulations. Some clear exclusions apply — no adult services or illicit substances — but in-person childcare is also restricted. It’s amusing, considering there’s at least one Facebook group in my area that solely focuses on finding and hiring nannies.
Browsing through some job postings in Seattle, it appears that this initiative is being embraced as a digital version of putting up a “Help Wanted” sign at your business. This makes sense, because aside from Nextdoor, a lot of local engagement occurs via Facebook groups. It’s definitely my go-to platform when I want to discover why the sheriff’s helicopter is flying around our neighborhood on a Tuesday afternoon.
This update truly signifies a revival of job postings on Facebook. The company first rolled out job listings in 2017 across the US and Canada, extending to over 40 countries in 2018. In 2022, Facebook reverted to providing support only for the US and Canada, and ultimately ended the program in 2023. The platform still permitted users to submit advertisements in the form of ads — which was problematic for Facebook when organizations posting job openings used targeting to exclude people based on gender and religious background from accessing them. Such practices are banned under the discrimination policy applicable to anyone using the new job posting feature, thankfully. Facebook’s re-introduced jobs feature is available starting today, and exclusively in the US.
