Monster (MWW) is set to launch a Facebook app for job seekers. The Facebook app called “BeKnown” is Monster’s social effort and its response to LinkedIn (LNKD).

The app will enable Facebook’s users to make professional connections that are distinct from their friends, while also discovering job opportunities and controlling their professional identity.

Darko Dejanovic, global chief information officer and head of product at Monster Worldwide said: “BeKnown answers the need and challenge in the marketplace for people to build their professional networks on Facebook while keeping personal and work-related contacts and content completely separate.”

With BeKnown, users on Facebook will be able to invite contacts from other social networks to expand their BeKnown network beyond their existing Facebook friends. They will be able to see which of their professional contacts is connected to a company or job opportunity they are interested in. They will also be able to import their Monster profile to BeKnown and search for jobs from within the app.

A company’s profile page on BeKnown, Monster’s Facebook appBeKnown users will also be able to recommend people, but besides the general recommendations that users can create in LinkedIn, they will be able to endorse other users’ abilities around specific skills such as leadership or creativity.

Next month, Monster will also launch its social referral program, where BeKnown users will receive cash rewards for referring their professional contacts to particular jobs. Employers will also be able to claim and manage their profile in BeKnown, which users will also be able to follow, and be alerted to new job opportunities as they become available.

The offering comes as the recession has hit Monster’s bottom line. Monster’s net sales have dropped 11% (annualized since 2008) and its stock price has declined 8.9%. However, the company posted a 23% jump in revenues in its first quarter, which ended March 31.

The BeKnown app will be available for download in 19 different languages, and is accessible by any Facebook user.