10 overused buzzwords you need to stop putting on your resume: LinkedIn

If anyone is fit to comment on resumes, it’s LinkedIn. The networking site is an online hub of digital resumes – and because it’s online, LinkedIn can track metrics. Or, in this case, overused buzzwords.

Indeed, most cool words and effective stand-out terms eventually seem to be swallowed up by overuse and become cop-out “buzzwords” – words and key phrases that become completely useless because everybody and their dog tout the exact same thing.

“We have the unique ability to uncover interesting workplace trends in our data given the high volume of people with profiles on LinkedIn,” said DJ Patil, LinkedIn’s chief data scientist. “In this case, we wanted to reveal insights that help professionals make better choices about how to position themselves online whether they are reaching out to new clients or networking with peers.”

According to LinkedIn, these are the 10 most overused buzzwords on people’s resumes:

  1. Extensive experience
  2. Innovative
  3. Dynamic
  4. Motivated
  5. Team player
  6. Results oriented
  7. Fast paced
  8. Proven track record
  9. Multitasker
  10. Entrepreneurial

“Everyone is completely unique, but often when LinkedIn users create their profile they rely on clichés to describe their work experience. For example ‘extensive experience, innovative or dynamic’ are over-used phrases that do little to set you apart,” says Phyllis Reardon, a professional life coach located in St. John’s, NL. “To really make a profile stand out and highlight strengths concentrate on what makes you unique. Use words and phrases that describe what you can do; make a list and be sure it shows how you can make a positive impact. Ultimately, you want to make certain your LinkedIn profile provides the answer to, ‘Why should I hire you?’”

LinkedIn offers some tips professionals can act on over the holidays to increase the number of people viewing their LinkedIn Profile:

Accentuate your profile

Make sure your LinkedIn Profile is complete and includes all the roles you have had. You are 12 times more likely to be viewed for potential opportunities if you have more than one position listed on your profile. Also, add a profile photo – people never forget a face.

Plump up your network

Connect to at least 50 trusted contacts. Simply import your contacts to start finding first, second or even third degree connections working at companies you want as clients or would like to get in touch with.

Lift your profile in Google search results

Have you done a Google search for your name? If you haven’t, you should. People are Googling you before meetings and interviews. Get your LinkedIn Profile to come up higher in search results by customizing your profile URL.