So you say you're motivated? Well, so is everyone else.
According to a recent LinkedIn study assessing profiles last year, the most overused buzzwords by members are the words "motivated" and a host of other terms experts say job seekers should stop using in their searches. The findings revealed other top finishers, including the words "creative," "passionate" and "driven."
The adjectives were in slight contrast to the previous year in which the top three included creative, responsible and strategic.
2014 U.S. List – Top 10 Most Overused LinkedIn Buzzwords
- Motivated
- Creative
- Passionate
- Driven
- Extensive experience
- Organizational
- Strategic
- Track record
- Responsible
- Problem-solving
CareerBuilder's Jennifer Sullivan Grasz warns that using popular buzzwords can make resumes get lost and sound too similar to everyone else's. "Instead of saying you're results-driven, talk about the actual results," she said.
Build that profile
Grasz suggests thinking of your resume as a series of headlines that could get a potential employer excited about hiring you. For instance, writing, " 'Seasoned Sales Pro Who Generates $1 million in Revenue Annually' sounds better than 'I sold products for this company,' " she said.
While adding an element of creativity to your profile picture is encouraged, Catherine Fisher, a LinkedIn career expert, suggests first assessing if the image actually fits into your industry before getting too colorful. "You don't want a photo of you and your dog unless you're a veterinarian."
And using a profile photo in today's marketplace can pay off. According to the LinkedIn study, your online profile is 14 times more likely be viewed if you include a photo.
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Instead of using buzzwords, Fisher suggests showing over telling. She says including your volunteer experience to show you're actually motivated and interested in more than just a paycheck. The study found that 41 percent of professionals surveyed stated they consider volunteer work equally as valuable as paid work experience.
The biggest mistake on their professional footprint according to Fisher? Staying out of date.
"People build their profile and they never come back. You need to engage with your connections, like, share, publish and be active with your connections."