Employees turn over 'responsible' on LinkedIn

Go for opposite, the site advices

Employees like to describe themselves as responsible as it became the most overused word on professional  network LinkedIn.

The website which releases overused buzzwords every year said that, responsible was used the most in in both member profiles as well as phrases. Strategic and creative became the second and third most used words.

Members have been using a variety of buzzwords in the last few years, and it is the fourth year that LinkedIn is releasing the list. “Looking back at the past few years, a variety of buzzwords have risen and fallen in terms of their popularity. In 2010, 'extensive experience' was the top buzzword worldwide, and thereafter for two years running in both 2011 and 2012, the top buzzword were 'creative',” the website said.

Indian professionals also followed the trend as responsible is the most used word as well amongst users. The second most over-used word was effective, which had remained the top used word for the last two years.

LinkedIn however recommends that members stay away from cliched use of words. Its advises the use of antonyms. “In the case of 'effective'” its opposite is 'ineffective', making 'effective' one of those descriptors that is a given. Your entire profile can show that you are responsible and effective without having to include the overused words,” the site says.

It also endorses the use of active language. “You could replace 'responsible for social media' with 'accomplished goal of growing social media audience for the brand tenfold under my supervision' and provide visuals to further demonstrate it,” LinkedIn says.

The network also says that job seekers should research the companies that they would like to work for and tailor make their profiles to the tone of the company and the sector that they seek jobs in. “If you're not sure what words to select to describe your professional experience or need to switch out one of your buzzwords, go to the source and use one of theirs,” LinkedIn advises.