10 overused buzzword by professionals in India: LinkedIn

Words like responsible, motivated, innovative are common; avoid them if you want to change your profession, says the website

If you are looking for a change in your job and words such as Passionate, dynamic and creative appear in your CV, then it's time you reworked your CV.

Professional networking website LinkedIn has come out with a list of 10 buzzwords most used by Indian professionals in 2014 in their CV.

Other than passionate, dynamic and creative Indian professionals make use of words like responsible, motivated and innovative. The networking website recommends not to use such words if they are looking for a change in their professions.

"If you're motivated about your career, passionate about doing your best work, and are highly creative, then I've got news for you: so is everyone else. We've just announced our annual list of the words that make you go 'meh' - the most overused, underwhelming buzzwords and phrases in LinkedIn profiles of 2014 across the world. The number one offender? 'Motivated'," said Catherine Fisher, of LinkedIn in her blog.

Instead of using words to impress your future employer, the professional networking site recommends to pronounce a few other aspects in the CV, such as, use of an appropriate picture. Profiles with photo are 14 times more likely to be viewed, but make sure the picture is appropriate.

Top 10 most used words

Passionate

Dynamic

Creative

Responsible

Motivated

Innovative

Extensive experience

Expert

Analytical

Good knowledge

"Take a good look at your profile photo. Does it reflect the professional image you want to portray? Make sure your profile photo shows your best professional self. Think a work-appropriate outfit, focus on head and shoulders, and a confident smile,' said the blog

Professionals should also focus on writing about their voluntary experience in the CV. This is the best way to show that you are motivated. "Forty-one per cent of professionals surveyed by LinkedIn in the US alone stated that when they evaluate candidates, they consider volunteer work equally as valuable as paid work experience," said LinkedIn.

When writing about skills, instead of being verbose, LinkedIn recommends professionals to give a visual overview of their professional brand. "An easy, digestible way to show what you can do. You'll want to include a mix of high level and niche skills to ensure you show up in search results and showcase your range of talent."

The buzzwords that show-up for India are slightly different from the global buzzwords. The top word in India is 'passionate', whereas 'motivated' tops the global charts.