Juliet Wehr Jones, Contributor

WITH ALL the buzz around them, you may wonder whether Twitter and other social networking websites could be helpful sources of information in choosing a career. Other bloggers post excellent tips for using sites like Twitter for job search, business development (take note would-be entrepreneurs) and on-the-job training.

But, what if you're choosing a career or making a career change? Recently, I did some research, trying to see if I could learn anything practical or valuable about careers and came up with very little certainly not worth the time and effort.

CarEer options

While social-networking websites can be helpful, if not necessary after you decide on a career, your time now is better spent on learning about your career options. Because how can you market your personal brand when you don't know what it is yet?

The answer is you shouldn't, especially when information on the Web has the shelf-life of a rubber tyre dumped in the ocean.

You don't want to present yourself in a certain way or say things you may regret later. Professionalism is highly valued, but easily lost.

career-specific networking

If your goal is to get more information about career options, career-specific networking is a better use of your time. In this type of networking, you use the Internet to meet in person new people to gather information about a career (informational interviews).

Once you are in a career that satisfies you, social networking with peers through sites like LinkedIn for future job leads and mentoring is practically a must.

One of best-selling author Steven Coveys 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is Begin with the End in Mind, which fits perfectly with using online social networking.

Decide what career you are aiming for and then present yourself accordingly.

If you disagree and have ideas about how social networking sites help with career choice research, I would love to hear about it.

The writer is vice-president, The Career Key. The Career Key (Caribbean Edition) is available from CHOICES Career Advice, email info@choicesonlinejm.com.