By Sue Walder
What a difference a year makes – or does it?
In a blog post this week, LinkedIn revealed the top ten overused buzzwords for 2011.
Last year the 85 million people on LinkedIn overused the phrase ‘extensive experience’ when describing themselves on their profiles; this year, the 135 million LinkedIn members mostly consider themselves ‘creative’.
2011’s top three - ‘creative’, ‘organisational’, and ‘effective’ – are all new entries yet the list still includes six words from 2010’s list.
Only three words from last year’s list have disappeared: the truly horrible ‘results-orientated’, ‘dynamic’, and ‘team player’. So, there has been a slight change in 12 months but we’re still clinging to these tired CV clichés. The song remains the same.
Let’s compare the two lists:
Top 10 overused buzzwords in 2010
1. Extensive experience
2. Innovative
3. Motivated
4. Results-orientated
5. Dynamic
6. Proven track record
7. Team Player
8. Fast-paced
9. Problem solver
10. Entrepreneurial
Top 10 overused buzzwords in 2011
1. Creative
2. Organisational
3. Effective
4. Extensive experience
5. Track record
6. Motivated
7. Innovative
8. Problem solving
9. Communication skills
10. Dynamic
In a previous blog post, we recommended that the best way to grab the attention of potential employers and recruitment agencies is to avoid such stale, over-familiar phrases and focus instead on describing specific roles and achievements.
As Nicole Williams, LinkedIn's Connection Director said in a news release announcing the 2011 top ten buzzwords:
“Banish buzzwords from your profile. Use language that illustrates your unique professional accomplishments and experiences. Give concrete examples of results you've achieved whenever possible and reference attributes that are specific to you.
"As business winds down for the holidays, snag a few minutes to add some sparkle to your LinkedIn Profile and resume. Make sure you're putting your best foot forward to tackle your professional resolutions."
Looks like we’re all going to be busy over the Christmas holidays – good luck!
You can read Sue’s blog at www.havingaword.com
