Although imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, repetition may be excruciating. Consider the family member (everyone has one) who tells you the same tale repeatedly every time you see them. You probably put up with it because you have to or care about the individual, but repetitive narrative may be mind-numbing.

Imagine it on a far grander scale: hundreds of individuals giving you the same tale EVERY DAY.

It would be impossible to get any meaning or enthusiasm from anything they said. When HR departments go through resumes, it’s frequently like this. Imagine that after hearing the same narrative over and over, you come across someone who has something fresh to say. It may be some of the same material, but the manner it’s presented is unlike anything you’ve heard before. Your ears perk up, you give that person your full attention, and the broken record loop ends. You’d like to keep chatting to and learning more about that person. That’s why a solid CV matters and why the words you choose to describe your job and brand matter.

Buzzwords on LinkedIn

Every year, LinkedIn compiles a list of the most overused terms among its users. It’s an attempt to make individuals aware of how cliched their professional narratives are and, in turn, to help you break free from them.

LinkedIn has compiled a list of individuals who are paying attention and want to have a résumé that stands out. Many of these words will be known to you; nonetheless, the majority of them should be deleted from your professional vocabulary:

1. Specialized
2. Leadership*
3. Passionate*
4. Strategic*
5. Experienced
6. Focused
7. Expert
8. Certified
9. Creative*
10. Excellent

Avoid Using These Words on Your Resume

Based on what we see on resumes daily, we’d want to support LinkedIn’s efforts. We don’t want you to squander any space with your words.

These are the 10 phrases and words we’d like to never see again on a resume:

1. Responsible for
2. Dedicated
3. Detail-oriented
4. Organized
5. Self-Starter
6. Enthusiastic
7. Dynamic
8. Team Player
9. Seasoned
10. Hard worker

Do you need assistance in producing a more professional resume? We’re here to help. Contact us!