LinkedIn has revealed the most over-used “buzzwords” by recruiters on the day that the UK’s January Job Hunt begins in earnest.
According to a study of LinkedIn’s 21 million UK members, 21st January is typically the busiest day for New Year career development, when there is a peak in professionals updating their LinkedIn profiles post-Christmas.
As recruiters think about their own futures, LinkedIn today released a list of the ten most overused “buzzwords” on the LinkedIn profiles of talent acquisition professionals in 2014.
At the top of the list is “motivated”, closely followed by “track record”, “strategic” and “driven”. Extolling the benefits of their company’s employer brand seems also to be important, with “passionate”, “enthusiastic” and “creative” also making the list.
In 2014, the most overused words and phrases by recruitment professionals on LinkedIn were:
- Motivated
- Track record
- Strategic
- Driven
- Passionate
- Enthusiastic
- Responsible
- Extensive experience
- Exceptional
- Creative
The year before, we had “innovative” at the top of the list in the UK.
“Recruiters spend a lot of time advising others on how to best present themselves as attractive candidates. This list turns the spotlight back on recruiters, and hopefully provides some useful insights into how they can stand out from the crowd as they think about their own next move.” – Richard George, LinkedIn
LinkedIn shared these three top tips for recruitment professionals looking to boost their own professional brand on the platform in 2015:
- Keep up to date: Update your profile to include a work portfolio and make sure you regularly invest in your network throughout the year. Careers aren’t static so your profile should reflect this.
- Stay away from stereotypes: As people take more interest in their careers in January, it’s never been a better time to show individuality through charity work and interests, as well as showing off examples of your work to bring your skills to life.
- Be authentic: Recruiters can ensure potential employers and contacts understand the breadth of their experience by crafting a personal brand that’s unique to them. Staying away from these predictable “buzzwords” will help you stand out from the crowd.
