Community Management and Gen Y's answer to professional networking

Image by zen via Flickr

The other day I mentioned that I got a job working as a Community Manager for BeKnown, the new Facebook application from Monster.com. Many of us who have spent a good amount of time in chat rooms, forums and message boards already know what a community manager is, but I'll break it down for those of you who don't.

Essentially, the role of a community manager at any organization is to build, manage, and engage with the people who are a part of the organization's online community. As a CM for BeKnown, it is my job to get people interested in the app and act as liaison between users and the developers and reporting any compliments or criticisms directly to the creators of the application.

So far we have received a lot of great feedback from people who have tried out the app (if you haven't checked it out yet, click here to get started!) and changes have been made to make the very best experience for everyone.

BeKnown is Generation Y's answer to professional networking. It allows everyone (at every level of employment and stage of job-seeking) to create a professional presence on Facebook, separate from their social life, and taps into the user's already established network of friends to connect people with jobs and make new professional contacts. Companies that are looking to hire know that all of us hard-working twenty-somethings are on Facebook-- so what better network to look for job candidates?

As the CMs say, it's better to be known than not. Get your name out there and build your network! Getting started on BeKnown and setting up a profile is super easy. Just install the app and connect it with your Facebook profile. You can choose your BeKnown profile photo from photos in your Facebook album, or you can upload a photo directly into BeKnown.

You can also import your resume if you already have a profile set up on LinkedIn or Monster (which I did, and it was quick). When you're all set-up you can begin to make connections, acquire badges, and view and apply for jobs. What's really amazing is that you'll be matched with posted jobs based on your profile information, so make sure your experience and qualifications are updated!

The badges on BeKnown are merit-based and you acquire for achievements such as being loyal to a company by staying with one for over five years, working a number of jobs in a period of time, and growing your network of contacts.

Being Facebook friends with someone is not a requirement in making a professional connection on BeKnown, which is great. Of course, you should connect with your Facebook friends on BeKnown--because it's never too early to start building a strong network of professional contacts, even if you're comfortable at your current job-- but the app really does create a professional atmosphere, and keeps your social life out of the work realm.

For the small business owner, BeKnown is actually a great opportunity to get their job listings out to their first and second degree connections for free. Wouldn't you rather hear about an employment opportunity from a friend or associate over clicking a questionable ad on Craigslist? I know I would prefer to apply for a job based on the information of someone whom I can trust. Just a thought.

For my funemployment friends and people who looking to move on to the next level of their career, BeKnown is a wonderful resource for giving job referrals and browsing job postings. The other day my friend @oneredwall told me she downloaded BeKnown and within the hour applied for a job using the app.

I hope that you check out BeKnown and tell me your thoughts on your experience with the app. What did you like? What didn't you like? What do you think can be improved? What made you happily surprised? Tell me, and I will report it straight to the developers. We all really want to know what you think, so don't be shy. And add me as a contact!



If you still have questions about how BeKnown works, watch the video above.