For those of you who don’t know or are just starting to figure it out, social media is all the rage.

Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are sliding into the professional networking arena with the likes of LinkedIn and BrightFuse. In addition, blogs and online forums are becoming increasingly popular to share layoff woes, job seeking tips and thoughts in general.

In a new study by LexisNexis, 100 percent of workers surveyed said they used computers and e-mail during the typical workday. A generational divide was apparent, however, when it came to social media.

Sixty-six percent of respondents believed that new technology and software make building professional relationships easier, however, 86 percent of boomers said they never visited social networking sites in the workplace and 81 percent said they never read blogs.

This compares to 38 percent of Generation Y workers who said they never visited social networks at work and 58 percent who didn’t read blogs.

Whether you have or haven’t used social media before, it’s time to start. Creating an online persona is just another way to network, and can easily lead to new contacts or hopefully, a new job.

Here are some social networking dos and don’ts:

Do update your profile regularly.
“Keep your profile updated, even when you’re not looking for a job,” recommends Patrice-Anne Rutledge, author of “The Truth About Profiting from Social Networking.” “Recruiters love to find top-notch passive job candidates and having a current profile can help you land your dream job when you least expect it.”

Don’t badmouth your current or previous employer.
You know that griping about your current boss is a grave error during an interview, and it’s just as detrimental on your profile. Give hiring managers the idea that eventually you’ll be tarnishing their image if you part ways with the company and you’ll be crossed of their lists of candidates.

Also, if you’re currently employed, don’t forget any confidentiality and conduct agreements you’ve signed. You don’t want to violate your contract and end up jobless while you hunt for a new position.

Do go on the offensive.
If you want to use your networking profile as a tool, review the pictures you’ve uploaded, the personal information you’ve disclosed and any personal blogs or sites you’ve linked to. Don’t wait until you’re interviewing to go back and clean up your profile because the hiring manager probably already had a look.

Don’t mention your job search if you’re still employed.
If your boss knows you’re on the lookout for a new job, then by all means let it be known. However, if you’re attempting to keep your search below the radar, Vergara recommends restraint. Even if your boss isn’t your online friend, somebody can get the information back to him or her.