Facebook Launch New Job-hunting Features

Facebook on Wednesday began letting businesses in the US or Canada post jobs and take applications from job seekers, posing a challenge to Microsoft-owned LinkedIn.

The platform's users will be able to find help-wanted posts at business pages on Facebook or by looking in a new 'jobs' bookmark on the leading social network's mobile application.

"Businesses and people already use Facebook to fill and find jobs, so we're rolling out new features that allow job posting and application directly on Facebook," the California-based internet giant said in an online message.

Job postings may appear in news feed streams if companies pay to promote them.

Clicking on an "apply now" button will open an online form already filled out with relevant information from a person's Facebook profile, according to the social network.

Applicants will then be able to add, edit, and review forms before submitting them, according to Facebook.

Company representatives managing business pages at Facebook will be able to examine applications and then contact potential candidates using the Messenger text communication service.

Facebook said it tested the new tools in the US and will be rolling them out more broadly here and in Canada in coming weeks.

Microsoft recently reported a rise in profits over the past quarter, showing gains in cloud computing and other new areas of focus as it absorbed the LinkedIn social network.

The US tech giant, which is shifting away from dependence on software to a broader array of services, said the LinkedIn acquisition boosted its revenue in the last three months of the year but dragged on profit.

Microsoft also owns a small piece of Facebook due to an investment in the social network about a decade ago.

Job-hunting tips that can help you get hired

Employers are looking for the right candidates despite the slowdown in the job market. The secret is not in sending out hundreds of CVs but changing your job search strategy to ensure you are in the right place at the right time.

Here are some better ways, if used properly, can make your job search effective and may bear results by giving you the right leads.

Use technology effectively

Technology should play an integral part of your job search. There are plenty of resources available on the Internet like search engines, job positing websites, company websites, and email alerts, using these tools effectively, which can make your job search more efficient.

Search engines like Google, Bing, yahoo can be as useful to search more information about the offers by companies. Try different strategies to find the job that best suits you, look up jobs by trying both singular and plural terms. Candidates can use mobile applications that are available to download on the phones, and anything that matches your search will pop up without having to search websites over and over again.

Keep right connections:

Utilize the connections you have and they do the most when they are in the industry and the companies that you are looking to work for. Whether it’s on social media websites or professional networking for jobs on reputed jobs portal, it can connect you with companies, recruiters, hiring companies etc. so that you are in the loop when an opportunity comes up.

Candidates mainly apply to jobs that are advertised publicly but miss on the many chances of employment because they are not aware that such vacant roles exist and are quickly filled up by those in the loop.

These jobs create what is known as the ‘hidden job market’ and many employers deliberately withhold advertising vacancies to the public as these slots are circulated internally or matched with the CVs of the candidates already in their database, minimizing the chances of employment for others. If you are keeping right connections, they inform you about the chances in the organizations.

Internal hiring, picking up people from the existing pool of candidates and employee referrals create and contribute to this hidden job market.

If you have a very extensive network of people who are placed in different companies and you share a good rapport with them not only they will give you a heads up what is becoming available but can also refer you for the job, giving you some extra brownie points.

Probation period for employees in U.A.E

According to Article 37 of the Law, the probation period can be for a maximum period of six months.Probation period is the time during which your employer will assess you and decide if you are good enough to be hired as permanent staff – or not.

The time-frame may vary from one company to another, but there remain certain clauses provided in U.A.E Labour Law that govern the employment of an individual during the probationary period.

How long can be on probation

As per law, an employee may be appointed for a probationary period not exceeding six months. This is the maximum period that can be served by an employee.

Some companies have a shorter probation period, with many following even two or three months and upon successful completion of these months, the employee signs a contract as a permanent employee of the company.

The parties to the contract may also agree to commence employment without probation, as it is not mandatory under the Law.

Employer fire without notice

An employer may terminate your services during this period without offering a notice period. To safeguard the interest of the employee, this right is also given to them. So, both parties may terminate the employment contract with immediate effect without providing a valid reason or notice.

However, many companies ask employees to serve a notice period even during this time, and they mention so in the offer contract. Make sure you read carefully what you sign up for.

Will employee get gratuity for the probation period

Gratuity is not to be paid out if the employee leaves during the probation period or after that. This money will not be handed out if the employer does not confirm the employee as a permanent member of the team or terminates his service during or after the period (but before one year of service).

If the employee is confirmed after the probation, s/he will be entitled to this end of service remuneration. The probationary period of the employee will then be computed in the period of his service. According to the UAE Labour Law, an employee should serve a minimum of one year of service to be entitled to gratuity.

Can employee be on probation for a second time

The law does not permit this. One employee cannot be on probation for a second time for the same employer.

Do employee get paid sick leave

Article 83 of the Law states that, during the probationary period, the employee is not entitled to any paid sick leave.

If the employee spends over three months after completion of the probationary period, in the continuous service of employer, and falls sick during this period, he becomes entitled to a sick leave not more than 90 days either continuous or intermittent per each year or service. The payment for such leave is computed as:

1. First 15 days with full pay.

2. Next 30 days, with half pay.

3. Subsequent period without pay