Facebook, Labor hope to harness social media for job seekers

Facebook, the Department of Labor, and several employment associations announced a partnership on Thursday designed to combine the expertise of government agencies with the audience and reach of social media.

In what could be a shot at more traditional job search websites, the partnership will "explore how job postings can be shared on Facebook and through other social websites at no charge," according to a summary of the program.

"By leveraging the power of the social Web, this initiative will provide immediate, meaningful and ready-to-use information for job seekers and employers, and a modern platform to better connect them," Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said in announcing the partnership, which includes the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, DirectEmployers Association and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

She said even with the high unemployment rate, 3 million jobs are available in the U.S. right now.

Facebook vice president of global public policy Marne Levine said a new social jobs partnership Facebook page will become a "one-stop shop" for job seekers.

"We've brought employers, recruiters, college career services and government agencies together to help the millions of Americans who use Facebook to find jobs," she said at a Labor Department event to unveil the plan Thursday. In coming months, other public and private organizations are expected to join the partnership.

While other websites have been offering job postings and employment resources for years, Facebook contends that it is well suited to help people find jobs, especially by allowing employers to find people based on their interests, skills and location.