Facebook has a unique culture defined by five core values: Build Social Value, Move Fast, Be Bold, Be Open, and Focus on Impact. These values drive the work and everyday interactions at Facebook and radiate through its unique culture.
As the company grows, it’s able to maintain a unique and mission-driven culture through its employees. Facebook knows that building their culture starts with its people, which means communicating that culture during every step of the interview and hiring process. So, what exactly does Facebook do to attract and retain top talent?
5 Ways to Recruit Like Facebook
1) Ground all employees in the company’s mission
Facebook connects everything they do back to their mission: to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. So when looking to grow their employee base, the company, naturally, looks for people who are excited to connect the world.
Facebook has extensive new-hire onboarding programs to ground everyone who joins the company in its mission and values. Understanding that people look to their managers for cultural cues, Facebook has invested in manager development so they have the tools to lead and grow the culture. The company strives to make their employees feel like the company’s culture is something they own. And that employees have the power to protect and shape it
2) Celebrate authenticity
Facebook’s products are focused on openness and real identity. Similarly, the company strives to cultivate an environment in which everyone who works at Facebook feels free to embrace and express themselves however they want. At Facebook, there isn't a “work you” and “personal you.” There's just one identity.
3) Focus on employee strengths
Facebook designs roles and teams that help people do work they’re naturally great at and love doing. Employees are more fulfilled and they tend to stay longer if they’re doing work that fits their strengths and makes meaningful impact.
4) Build for the future
According to the posters on the walls at the company’s Menlo Park headquarters, Facebook’s journey is 1% done. Facebook is always looking ahead to see how it can improve and grow. The company looks for builders — people who have created things that have led to meaningful impact in past roles and experiences, and want to do the same in the future, whether it's improving Facebook products or growing its business.
5) Never stop learning
Facebook’s learning culture starts at the very top. Mark Zuckerberg selects new growth challenges every year and openly shares his progress with everyone at Facebook. Facebook focuses on growth – personal and professional, embracing failure, and learning from both successes and mistakes. Hard conversations are encouraged, and feedback is viewed as a gift. When feedback is given and received with good intent, employees learn and grow. Being open goes both ways.
Company culture is not stagnant – it evolves and changes over time. And it can be the determining factor for candidates choosing your organization over another, which is why it’s important to continuously invest in shaping your culture to attract top talent. Facebook’s winning culture is a product of the company’s clear communication and commitment to transparency.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Facebook attracts top talent, check out the webinar from our client story on Facebook as well as 5 Ways Facebook Builds Its Employer Brand Through Glassdoor.
