Since it's early in the year and many of you have made resolutions to really use your LinkedIn profiles this year, we thought it would be a good idea to go over what NOT to do.
This past December, LinkedIn posted a blog that listed the top 10 overused buzzwords in LinkedIn profiles in the United States. At first glance, it's easy to see how users get confused with the term "buzzword." After all, it does sound like a good thing to use them to set you apart from the crowd. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
According to LinkedIn the top 10 most overused buzzwords in 2011 were:
- Creative
- Organizational
- Effective
- Extensive Experience
- Track Record
- Motivated
- Innovative
- Problem Solving
- Communication Skills
- Dynamic
Although buzzwords can read great and bring attention, they can leave a lot open to interpretation. For example, who's to say you and a hiring manager have the same idea of what "creative" is?
Instead of stuffing your profile with buzzwords, use the new year as an excuse to clean out your profile and improve the way in which you showcase yourself. Highlight your skills, previous roles you've had and recommendations from those who've worked closely with you as key starting points to a better LinkedIn profile.