The past six months have seen an unprecedented rise in social media adoption.  Companies are scrambling to create Facebook pages and no mainstream news medium is without a Twitter account.  Despite the state of the economy, companies are promising upwards of a 50% increase in social media spending.

It seems that no matter what the profession, a basic understanding of social media has become necessary.  While mentioning Twitter, Flickr, Youtube and Hulu to my grandmother may convince her of my fluency in another language, the same can’t be said of recruiters and potential employers who appreciate candidates abreast of the trends.

I’ve been freakishly obsessed an avid proponent of social media, especially in my job search efforts, and I’ve always encouraged my peers to turn to the unorthodox methods social media can sometimes provide.  Recently, however, I’ve begun to wonder whether social media has begun to erode my generation’s social skills, and which technique is ultimately better suited to landing that coveted job.

An article on Mashable cites a San Diego State University study which suggests that Generation Y believes that they use “social networking sites for self-promotion, narcissism and attention seeking.”  Considering the average college student in 2006 has become 30% more narcissistic than in 1982, that seems about right.

Not so fast, though!

According to the same SDSU study, 40% of those Gen Y-ers polled also believe that the “self-promotion, narcissism and attention seeking” behaviors social media provokes are necessary (what can I say, we’re a strange people).  No doubt, social media is used for self-promotion, but to use it capitalistically is to use it correctly, especially when the brand you’re promoting is yourself.

Still, as I begin another month as an unemployed college graduate, I can’t help but to wonder what my personal brand is worth and whether traditional social networking or social media is better suited to capitalize on it.  Twitter is said to eventually be valued at $1 billion, but does my generation run the risk of cementing our reputation?  How can job seekers achieve a balance between social media and remaining social?

by Kristin Davie, exclusive for WWDS. Kristin is a 2009 college graduate who is still looking for her first job. She writes about her search for all of us.

In the popular 1989 movie Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner is commanded by an unknown force to build a baseball field in his Iowa corn field because, “if you build it, he will come.”

Lately, friends and I have wondered whether the same is true regarding jobs. After facing weeks of rejection in our respective demographics, recent graduates are broadening their search. Many are turning to different states, different coasts, and even different countries, all in desperate pursuit of that first paycheck.

I’m no different. Although New York City remains at the top of my list, I’ve forced myself to apply for jobs outside of my comfort zone- and my time zone. While I once may have disregarded job advertisements in Boston or Chicago, I now purposely research positions in those and other areas.

After all, if you build it, they will come.

But should we? And do employers really want us there?

In this economy, it’s easy to understand why companies might prefer local applicants, especially when enticing relocation packages can no longer be afforded. Still, candidates are looking to expand their search, and many are willing to swallow the cost in return for a full-time position and new social opportunities (or if you happen to be Ray Liotta, a baseball field).

So should graduates bother to apply to positions that would require relocation, and if so, how do we convey our willingness to in a cover letter?

Perhaps the fault lies with the job seekers. Are we overlooking local prospects in pursuit of a more glamorous option? Are we ignorant to the potential of nearby businesses? Maybe the blame is meant to be shared. Are local organizations doing enough to attract and retain young adults?

With such a struggling economy and competitive market, should graduates focus on relocating or re-evaluating themselves?

Ed Note: The key for Kristin would be to use LINKUP, the only job search engine that presents ONLY jobs from company websites. By searching LinkUp, she can beat hundreds of job seekers to apply.

By Kristin Davie, special for WWDS

I was never a fan of monkey-in-the-middle as a child. I didn’t have a growth spurt until I was in high school and my brother seemed to come out of the womb at 6”3.

My distaste has only seemed to have grown in adulthood, even at a respectable height of 5”8.

After perusing what must be hundreds of job advertisements and applying to a sizable fraction, I’ve become unnaturally adept at recognizing certain trends within the market. One of the most frustrating I’ve come across lately is the sizable gap between college internships and associate positions requiring 2-3 years experience- juuust outside the reach of a recent graduate.

As I approach my fourth month of unemployment (yikes), I’ve decided to focus my search on paying internships, hoping that additional experience may help my chances of landing a full-time, entry-level position.

The problem?

Well, besides the fact that paid internships are harder to come by than Lindsay Lohan’s underwear, many online listings insist that “only those currently enrolled in college apply,” and that they “will not consider recent college graduates.”

Ouch.

So what’s a post-grad to do? Applications for coveted (and extremely scarce) entry-level positions are cut-throat, and without additional experience, we’ll never be considered for an associate or junior-level position (which, at this rate, I may not land until I’m 45).

It’s quite the conundrum- even for a 5”8 college-educated monkey.

by Kristin Davie, for WWDS

I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the birth of some great inventions- McDonald’s Snackwraps, the iPhone, TiVo, and the handy tool that allows me to track my Dominoes pizza order online. Despite all of mankind’s best efforts, however, the world has yet to produce a tree that bears dollar bills and so I remain an unemployed, broke, college graduate (much to the growing dismay of my parents).

No job = No $$$

The equation is simple enough. Over the past several weeks I’ve done my best to shed my unfortunate status as a recession statistic. Recently, though, I decided to take a second look at my approach. At a graduation party this past weekend, I spoke with several friends of mine about the job search- namely- how much we’ve all actually spent on the process itself. Granted, many of the job boards we use are free (thank GOD), but the cost of traveling to an interview(s) can add up, especially if you happen to be an idealistic co-ed with a soft spot for New York City.

Then of course there are the supplies- pant suit (I’ve been told blue is the best color to wear on an interview), spiffy leather-bound portfolio, etc.

Alright, so I’m exaggerating a bit, but there’s no money coming in so I tend to notice every penny I spend.

How then do I tip the equation in my favor?

A college professor of mine told me that when I do finally land a full-time position, I won’t remember how much a roundtrip ticket in to NYC cost or how much I spent re-filling my Metrocard. I’ve simply got to swallow the cost and do whatever I can to stand out, and eventually I’ll be repaid for my hard work (wise words, Tim Massie).

These words ring especially true as competition grows and graduates must now consider pouring more money into their job search. Even with my moderate grasp of social media, maintaining my own blog is not enough anymore. Now every Tom, Dick, and Harry has one of their own. It’s hard to consider this when applying for jobs, but I’ve come to realize that every posting I apply to online is seen by hundreds of other pairs of eyes (and some of them are probably better qualified).

I can see how some could be hesitant to spend more money creating their brand image, but I’ve found it’s really helpful, if not necessary, in today’s market. Yes, the equation doesn’t quite pay off right away, but as my professor said, the odds will eventually tip in my favor- and those odds have a greater chance of tipping sooner if I invest a bit more in my personal resume.

I’m still crossing my fingers that money will one day grow on trees, though.

by Kristin Davie, for WWDS

I often joke that if looking for a job was indeed a paid position, I’d be the luckiest (not to mention richest) girl on the block. My morning coffee would be free, the office attire would be casual AT BEST, and the commute? Practically nonexistent (there are a few steps between my bed and the computer, after all). Needless to say, I spend hours each day searching the web for interesting advertisements, buffing up the ole’ resume, and social networking.

I’m sure my father can’t help but think that if I’d devoted as much time to childhood sports, I’d be a world class soccer star by now (and he’d be coming to me for money instead of the other way around).

This all led me to speculate about a common, but often underestimated and under-reported, situation experienced by so many recent graduates: moving in with mom and dad.

After four years of grandma sending cards with cash blissful independence, thousands of college graduates jumped back into the nest in light of a bleak economy. Granted I’ve been home for breaks before, but this is a major transition, and there are no proverbial training wheels that can prepare either party for the road ahead. When talking among my friends, I’ve found that the most contested details surrounding our present housing situation are often curfew (we haven’t had one since we were 18), cooking (I can make Ramen), laundry (let’s face it, we waited until we came home), and money (we don’t have any).

Coupled with the fact that so few of us were lucky enough to land jobs before walking the plank graduating, it’s no wonder that nest may resemble a prison cell more and more.

Lately, though, I’ve realized the same might be true for our parents as well. Last week, it was announced that 9.5% of the American public is now unemployed, with over 400,000 jobs lost in the last month alone. Considering recent graduates cannot file for unemployment, that 9.5% is actually-you guessed it-our parents.

What does this mean when the competition for a potential position lives down the hall?

I’ve found that strategic teamwork work best. My parents are both part of that 9.5% and over the last few months, it’s become increasingly obvious that we could learn a lot from each other. I may have a leg up on social media, but my Dad has over 30 years of experience under his belt. So to my fellow graduates, listen to your parent’s advice (except about blowing bubbles in your milk because that will always be fun) and parents, take a cue or two from your kids. In the end- may the best man win.

Home is where the heart is…and thank y our parents one more time for knowing how to protect THEIR most valuable asset–You. Ed note.

by Kirsten Davie

On Tuesday I celebrated my one month anniversary by watching “He’s Just Not That Into You.” No, the celebration didn’t commemorate a relationship, per se, but rather marked one month since my college graduation. So I guess you could say it was the one month anniversary of one of the most painful breakups a young co-ed can experience.

Why?

Well, as I strode across stage and left what some would call the best years of my life (not to mention Friday happy-hour with $1.75 draft beer and free buffalo wings), I was forced to look forward to unemployment and my parents’ couch. Coupled with one of the most competitive job markets in years, you can understand why the Kleenex was on hand even before the opening credits.

At the end of the movie, two things became clear:

1) I liked the book better, personally.
2) Rather than reminding me of my own relationship blunders in the past, the movie served as a sort of metaphor for the job search.

The film argues that women turn to rationalization after a potential beau fails to call back after what they believed to be a perfect date. He fell off a cliff, his mother is sick, he dropped his phone in the toilet, etc., etc….

Recently, several other unemployed friends and I have been talking about a similar phenomenon we’ve experienced in the last few months. After interviewing at a particular company, many of us simply never hear back from our potential employer. I’ve become familiar with rejection over the last few months, but without a clear explanation, I’m left with rationalization. Maybe the human resource department is being held hostage by a disgruntled employee, or the interviewer lost my contact information, and so on and so on….

Eventually it becomes painfully clear that I didn’t get the position, and I’m forced to move on. Sometimes, however, the failure to update a potential employee on the status of his or her application can cause a few headaches. Given the state of the economy, an interview alone can be hard to come by, so when a friend of mine was offered a paid internship, the decision seemed like a no-brainer.

Save for one thing- another firm she had interviewed with earlier (and who paid more) had yet to get back to her. She was in a love triangle more awkward than any portrayed in Jen Aniston’s recent endeavor.

There are hundreds of articles available to those in the throes of the job search detailing the proper dress attire for interviews, responses to the most difficult questions, but what’s the proper etiquette for employers? How long should a candidate wait before realizing “they’re just not that into me.”