Social Networking For Dummies

Recently Bossy's son brought an interesting topic to the dinner table. The background: he is a sophomore at Columbia University in New York City, and currently working in Columbia's job placement program.

Every day he sees the rules change as social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter gain traction with the "regular" population outside of us internet types.

This becomes an interesting topic when it comes to stuff like job searches through these social sites. Is there a rule book to outline what is acceptable practice and what is crossing the boundaries?

Is it OK to send a prospective employer a very private message via twitter, using the @ moniker, for instance?

When is it most appropriate to email a resume? When is it appropriate to send a prospective employer  a message through Facebook, and when is it OK to send a prospective company or place of employment a message on twitter for all to read?

Has anyone else been in the position of thinking this stuff through when it comes to employment and networking? And what conclusion did you reach?

You can find Bossy over at her place, i am bossy. Don't even knock, she's always there.