Facebook: I signed up, and they’re hiring

Categories: Social Media, Web IndustryPosted on May 15th, 2007

I stopped by at Facebook today, and old friend of mine Kunal Malik (I used to work for him at Exodus Communications) has recently been hired to be one of the top dogs in the IT department. He told me that they’re hiring Web Developers, folks that have experience with Lamp, or DBAs, see the many jobs open here. If you email me your resume, I’ll forward it on to them.

Also, a few people have emailed me requests to join Facebook (Mario Sundar and Christopher Salazar) so I signed up today if you want to add me as a contact, use my email on the right column of my blog. I’ll give it a shot for one week, but I already don’t like the emails that I get for everytime someone leaves something on my wall. I know I can turn it off, but I’m just going to keep the default settings for a week and see if I can benefit from this tool.

I don’t really see the need for a social network for my use, as I already have one, an “Open” social network –my blog. No one needs to register, sign up, leave a picture to access it or to leave a comment. Also, my blog brings me revenue (and my employer) and is great during an interview process, whereas I’m not sure how Facebook could be taken as seriously. I’ll give it a shot anyways.

Just because the tool may not be for me, doesn’t mean it’s not a great company, as I understand it, their expanding fast, the headcount is going to grow considerably. No surprise, as their traffic (and engagement and interaction) is pretty amazing. I was impressed by all the street art that decorated the stairwells, (I found some flickr photos from various folks) the DJ turntable and multiple gaming meeting rooms, a fun place to work I’m sure.

Also, Mike Basten came to visit me at PodTech today, he was one of the founders of MyKin.com. He’s in town interviewing a very large web company that you probably use every day, if you’ve openings at your work for sales, media, or marketing, he’s a young guy that has a lot of potential, his profile is here.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 at 1:40 pm and is filed under Social Media, Web Industry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Awesome! I think having a facebook account is closest to having a mybloglog widget on your blog, since it allows you to engage with your network.

As for serious professional networking, particularly related to an interview process, you’ve got LinkedIn I bet you knew I was going to say that?!

Here’s the mandatory disclosure that I work at LinkedIn.

Posted by Mario Sundar on May 15th, 2007 at 4:02 pm

I’m probably not just the target demographic. My need to establish a ‘linked network’ on a social network or a profile to show my ‘friends’ isn’t as important as I was when I was 20.

Posted by jeremiah_owyang on May 15th, 2007 at 4:05 pm

Hi Jeremy,

I’m just wondering how your Facebook “experiment” has been going so far. I realize it’s only been a couple of days, but I’m sure you’ve probably noted some pros and cons already.

Personally, I find that Facebook works okay as a personal networking tool (all your friends in one place, able to schedule events), but doesn’t really do anything that can’t be done with a blog and/or email.

As a business/marketing tool, I personally don’t see much potential for it. Facebook seems to be mostly about connecting to people you already know and interact with. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of room to grow your network beyond that existing sphere.

What are your thoughts at this point? I look forward to reading a post at the end of your one-week “trial period.”

Posted by Adam Snider on May 17th, 2007 at 8:14 am

PS: Yes, I realize your name is Jeremiah, not Jeremy. Obviously, I hadn’t had enough coffee when I posted that this morning.

Cheers!

Posted by Adam Snider on May 17th, 2007 at 12:03 pm

Adam

Thanks for checking in, I’ve not been using it, I only check it when someone writes something on my wall or something.

I noticed a few people have added me since I posted this post.

I really see this as a great tool for someone who’s not blogging (and in a specific niche, like college) and it really doesn’t resonate for me.

I really like my blog –an open network.

Will report back over time.

Posted by jeremiah_owyang on May 17th, 2007 at 2:27 pm

I just joined a week ago too. And at 40 I must say myspace is a bit ummm challenging to understand. I’ve figured out the value of Flikr as a marketing tool for my application.

Here’s an idea for Facebook (based on another post of yours that I read today as I’m trying to get caught up on my blog reading): What if it were encouraged by an organization for employees to interact with social media? As organizations adopt social media they need to help their staff adjust. I’ve found it to be a nice way to connect with staff at a company that I’m working with in a less ‘official manner’ than email. (I’ve also noticed that their staff hit Facebook as they begin their workday). That’s healthy I think too in this age of layoffs (which they’re going thru too). It provides an outlet.

It’s growing on me. Fun is good.

Posted by Connie Bensen on May 19th, 2007 at 3:43 pm

I forgot to add, that another app that’s very effective even though it’s simply IM is google’s http://www.hello.com

What makes it unique is that you can instantaneously send images, files, etc. (It’s under the picasa umbrella). We’ve found it invaluable for technical troubleshooting of software to ’show’ the customer. I think companies should use it for their tech support. It’s free! And I can teach a non user to send an image in 2 minutes.

Posted by Connie Bensen on May 19th, 2007 at 3:57 pm

[...] Facebook: Face it, we are all on it or at least talking about it. Even the Community Evangelist at LinkedIn, Mario Sundar, has a facebook account. AND even Jeremiah, who asked the question if he really needs it since he already has LinkedIn and his blog, signed up and is adding friends. [...]

Posted by Can Facebook win the battle over MySpace? « e-Bizz by Christopher Salazar on May 23rd, 2007 at 1:13 am