- LinkedIn members overuse 10 buzzwords that can detract from their profiles' quality.
- Instead of using buzzwords, opt for straightforward language that accurately demonstrates your professional qualities.
- You can help your LinkedIn profile stand out from other candidates by adding personality to your summary.
- This article is for job seekers and professionals who want to improve their LinkedIn profiles to attract and keep employers' attention.
If you're using LinkedIn for your job search, you understand how important it is to have a fully fleshed-out profile. You want to make sure potential employers know that you are passionate about your work, have extensive experience in your field, and are driven to achieve your goals.
In 2018, LinkedIn published its list of overused buzzwords (the site used to update this list yearly, but it hasn't published a new list since then). While these terms may accurately describe your career experience or personality, they don't mean much when everyone else is using them too.
These are the 10 words that LinkedIn members overuse the most:
- Specialized
- Experienced
- Leadership
- Skilled
- Passionate
- Expert
- Motivated
- Creative
- Strategic
- Successful
What the experts say about these buzzwords
"Like most things in life, if you're willing to put a little time and effort into making simple changes to your profile, you're going to get a whole lot in return," said Blair Heitmann, a career expert for LinkedIn. "All you have to do is get started."
Christopher Sandford, a bestselling biographer who partnered with LinkedIn for the project, noted that the language we use says a lot about us.
"It's important to choose your words carefully, especially in a professional context," he told LinkedIn. "Too often we hide behind buzzwords which don't mean anything, whether out of a desire to keep things simple or because we don't feel confident talking about our work accomplishments. [Use] language which truly conveys what makes you great."
Sandford provided advice for those unsure of where to begin improving their profiles:
Make an impression with your summary. "Your profile summary is one of the first things people look at, so it's important to get it right," he said. "Start with something punchy. You can do this through specific phrases, storytelling, or even clever use of punctuation. Don't be afraid to lead with a short sentence, such as, 'Music is my first love.'"
How to avoid using LinkedIn buzzwords
Follow these tips to avoid LinkedIn buzzwords in favor of more direct, meaningful phrases:
- Be direct. Sandford cautioned against describing your work life in the third person. "It's impersonal and won't draw the reader in. Take a professional tone, and be assertive and direct when you're talking about your achievements; don't hide behind buzzwords or jargon."
- Use plain (but engaging) language. "List out all your relevant previous roles and describe what you did in everyday language," Sandford said. "This will help people understand the breadth of your 'work story.'"
- Don't just tell – show. While your use of language is important, so is showing real examples of your work. Sandford advised uploading presentations or projects that bring your words to life. "These are individual to you and help paint the picture of your special skills and unique background, whether that's an image from a launch of a big campaign or the blog you write in your spare time."
How to make your LinkedIn profile stand out
According to LinkedIn statistics, the platform has 756 million users worldwide. That's a lot of competition! To set your profile apart from others, avoiding buzzwords is only the start.
LinkedIn advises a few more ways to make your profile more attractive to employers hiring in the digital age. Consider the following ideas.
1. Include more than your job title in your headline.
Your LinkedIn headline is displayed below your name when your profile appears in search results. This note is one of the first things employers will see of your profile. To get their attention, your headline should be more than just your job title.
While you should describe your current position, you should also note a significant achievement, distinguishing title, or specialization. This way, a recruiter gets an overview of your professional experience without having to view your entire profile.
For example, an accountant might write this headline: "Environmental accountant of 10 years specializing in insurance fraud investigations and prevention practices." This gives a clear picture of their specialty and an idea of what their complete profile might contain.
2. Personalize your summary.
Your LinkedIn profile summary is where you provide a more in-depth description of your current position and career. You have 2,600 characters to explain what you do, how you got started, what you envision next, and more about your overall story.
Don't just pull lines from your resume. Use this section to insert your personality into your profile. Identify your career highlights to date, tie them together, and create a unique story that gives other professionals a portrayal of your best self. To captivate your readers, try starting your summary with an emotionally appealing sentence.
3. Complete a skill assessment.
LinkedIn allows users to demonstrate their proficiency in certain skill sets. The platform offers skill assessments in technical, business, and design categories for skills such as JavaScript, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Excel.
To take a LinkedIn skill assessment, go to the Skills section of your profile and click "Take skill quiz." Then, choose one of the available assessments. If you pass an assessment, you'll receive a badge for that skill to post on your profile.
To give you an idea of what to expect, LinkedIn has sample questions for many of its skill assessments. You can view these samples by selecting a skill within one of the categories and clicking "Practice" on the bottom right.
Data from LinkedIn suggests candidates who list verified skills on their profiles have a 30% higher chance of getting hired.
Shayna Waltower contributed to the writing and reporting in this article.