For any jobseeker, revising a résumé and finding the right words can be tricky. Trying to paint the best picture of qualifications and experience often leads applicants down a slippery slope of clichéd phrases and buzzwords. To HR, the overuse of such words has rendered them meaningless. So what is a weary jobseeker to do?
LinkedIn recently analysed user profiles and for the fourth consecutive year has released a list of the most overused words and phrases which applicants should avoid. The word seen most often on LinkedIn profiles across the globe? Responsible.
The following are the top 10 most-used words for professionals in Hong Kong:
- Responsible
- Strategic
- Creative
- Effective
- Expert
- Innovative
- Competitive
- Multinational
- Analytical
- Driven
For applicants, it all comes down to finding new ways to express the concepts that these now-meaningless buzzwords have been overused to show. LinkedIn encourages jobseekers to edit their profiles in keeping with the ‘show, not tell’ approach. Instead of labelling experience as ‘effective’ or ‘strategic’, demonstrate these qualities by focussing on the results. Similarly, when using cliché labels such as ‘innovative’ or ‘creative’, support the buzzword with examples of work through photos, videos or presentations.
Vivian Wong, Founder and Managing Director, Evie Consulting put it into simpler terms, “Building your professional brand is an important step to achieving success in the workplace. Sounding like everyone else won’t help you stand out from other professionals. Differentiate yourself by describing what you have accomplished in your career. Concrete examples speak louder than words.”
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
