Facebook used to have a dedicated jobs section where users could search for job postings and employers could post open positions. However, in 2019 Facebook removed the jobs section from its platform. So as of 2022, Facebook no longer has a built-in jobs board.
Why did Facebook remove the jobs section?
There are a few reasons why Facebook may have decided to remove the jobs section from its platform:
- Declining usage – Engagement with the jobs section was declining, as more users turned to dedicated job search platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed.
- Increased competition – With the rise of professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook faced much tougher competition for job postings and recruitment.
- Limited revenue opportunities – The jobs section was not a major money maker for Facebook, so removing it allowed them to focus resources elsewhere.
- Regulatory concerns – Managing job postings brought increased responsibilities around regulating recruiting practices, which may have motivated Facebook to eliminate this feature.
Essentially, maintaining the jobs board was likely not worth the limited benefits it was providing Facebook and its users at that point. Eliminating it allowed Facebook to simplify its platform and focus on more profitable products and features.
What options do users have now?
While Facebook no longer has a built-in jobs section, users do have a few options for finding and posting job opportunities through Facebook:
- Join career-focused Facebook Groups – Many niche communities and regional areas have Facebook Groups dedicated to job postings and professional networking.
- Follow company Facebook Pages – Companies will often post openings on their official Facebook pages.
- Use the Facebook Marketplace – Employers can create posts advertising job openings on the Facebook Marketplace.
- Pay for ads – Businesses can run recruitment ads that target specific demographics of Facebook users.
- Promote openings organically – Businesses can share and promote their job posts through their general Facebook content and engagement tactics.
Individual users can also increase their visibility to recruiters and potential employers through:
- Posting their skills, experience and openness to new opportunities in relevant Facebook Groups and on their profiles.
- Engaging with businesses, networking, and following company pages related to their industry and interests.
- Connecting directly with recruiters and hiring managers through Facebook Messenger and chats.
So while the dedicated jobs section is gone, Facebook can still facilitate job searching and hiring in more informal, decentralized ways. But serious job seekers will likely need to rely more heavily on traditional job boards or LinkedIn than Facebook alone.
Are there any plans to bring the jobs section back?
Facebook has not announced any plans to reinstate the jobs section at this time. Given their strategic shift away from job postings, it seems unlikely Facebook will devote resources to rebuilding this marketplace. However, the company could potentially revisit this decision if:
- User demand and engagement with career networking on Facebook greatly increases.
- Facebook identifies more profitable ways to monetize job postings.
- Competitors start offering more robust career pages and tools.
- Economic conditions lead more users to turn to Facebook for recruiting after layoffs.
For now though, Facebook seems content to leave dedicated job matching features to other sites while supporting informal career networking activities across its Groups, Pages and other platforms.
Pros and cons of Facebook removing the jobs section
Here is a table summarizing some potential pros and cons of Facebook’s decision to remove the jobs section:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Allows Facebook to concentrate on its core offerings | Reduces centralized job searching options for users |
| Eliminates competition with dedicated job sites | Hurts employers who relied on Facebook to post openings |
| Frees Facebook from regulatory issues | Makes the platform less useful for professional networking |
| Encourages use of Facebook’s Marketplace | Cuts a potential source of revenue for Facebook |
On balance, the downsides appear to have outweighed the benefits for Facebook’s business strategy, prompting the company to remove the feature despite some disadvantages for recruiters and job seekers.
Conclusion
Facebook shut down its built-in Jobs section in 2019, removing a centralized marketplace for recruiters and job seekers on its platform. Users can still engage in career networking activities through Facebook Groups, Pages, Marketplace and other features. However, serious job hunters will likely need to rely more on dedicated employment sites or LinkedIn. While Facebook could potentially reinstate job listings in the future, it seems focused on maximizing other aspects of its platform for now. The discontinuation of Jobs reflects Facebook’s strategic shift away from specialized marketplaces as it competes with an ever-wider range of online platforms.