As news broke this week that Facebook is testing a new job feature that would place it in direct competition with social network LinkedIn, AMEinfo learns that LinkedIn has just rolled out its very own video platform, called LinkedIn Video, naturally.
Let the battle commence.
Facebook update
As reported in Business Insider on October 16, Facebook is currently testing a new job feature that would allow its users to list their professional experience and educational history, contact details and image, alongside other information.
“Matt Navarra, director of social media for The Next Web, has shared screenshots of the resume feature sent to him by web developer Jane Manchun Wong, who saw it appear on her Facebook profile,” Business Insider reported.
Read: Revealed: Facebook, WhatsApp most popular in UAE
So is Facebook making moves into the professional social sector in a simple bid to boost recruitment efforts or is it a direct encroachment on Linkedin’s territory?
“At Facebook, we’re always building and testing new products,” a Facebook spokesperson told techcrunch.com, in a report posted on October 18. “We’re currently testing a work histories feature to continue to help people find and [help businesses hire for jobs on Facebook.”
Cue LinkedIn
Not to be left in the dark, LinkedIn recently unveiled its very own video strategy, under which users can upload a video to the site via LinkedIn’s iOS or Android mobile app.
Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, EMEA, Emerging Markets, Middle East & North Africa, told AMEinfo’s sister publication TRENDS: “LinkedIn has launched its new feature called LinkedIn Video. Cashing upon the power of a video as a possible tool of introduction for job seekers, LinkedIn has launched this feature wherein the members can shoot a short introduction video of themselves and upload or share it for reaching out to potential employers.”
“We are hoping this will change the way candidates have been approaching employers for many years. We might soon have some big announcements to make in enhancing the recruitment process further,” Matar adds.
Read: Top 5 things recruiters notice on your LinkedIn profile
Initiating dialogue
“We began testing video last month and we’ve already seen so many personal and inspiring videos, such as Edwin Rhemrev detailing his process for sketching a set design; Madison Allen taking people behind the scenes by showing what her company’s forklift can do; and Chris Chien sharing an inside scoop at Comic Con,” reads an official LinkedIn blog article posted on August 22.
“These are just a few of the many ways you can use video to share your ideas, learn from others and jump start new conversations,” it added.
After users post a video, you can see audience insights, such as the top companies, titles and locations of your viewers, as well as the number of views, likes and comments that your videos are receiving.
There is no doubt that this added functionality will allow LinkedIn users to make their profile more personal and engaging, but with Facebook seemingly poised to enter the job market as well, Matar may want to make his big announcements for “enhancing the recruitment process further” sooner rather than later.
Read: Survey: ‘Number of jobs to go up in 6 months’
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