{"id":183657,"date":"2016-01-21T15:21:16","date_gmt":"2016-01-21T15:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=183657"},"modified":"2016-01-21T15:21:16","modified_gmt":"2016-01-21T15:21:16","slug":"10-overused-words-to-banish-from-your-cv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=183657","title":{"rendered":"10 overused words to banish from your CV"},"content":{"rendered":"<header>\n<div class=\"hero-area-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<article data-insert-mobile-adslot=\"\">\n<div class=\"articleBodyText version-2 section\">\n<div class=\"article-body-text component version-2\">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<p><span class=\"m_first-letter\">T<\/span>here\u2019s nothing like a few weeks back at work to make you reassess your career. At this point in January, many of us are thinking about polishing our CVs and updating our LinkedIn pages \u2013 just in case any new opportunities come along.<\/p>\n<p>Before you do, think carefully about the language you\u2019re putting out there.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to CVs,\u00a0that one side of A4 has to say everything about you \u2013 and your online profile needs to be concise and eye-catching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htmlEmbed section\">\n<div class=\"html-embed component \">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<div class=\"tg-pullquote__content tg-pullquote__global__group\">\n<div class=\"tg-pullquote__quote\">&#8220;Before you grab the thesaurus and start flicking through its pages \u2013 remember, there\u2019s more to \u2018branding yourself\u2019 than adjectives.&#8221;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleBodyText section\">\n<div class=\"article-body-text component \">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<p><span class=\"m_first-letter\">W<\/span>hy fill it with empty jargon that could apply to pretty much anyone? Especially as, according to researchers, you only have 8.8 seconds to impress.<\/p>\n<p>To help, professional networking platform LinkedIn has just published its annual list of overused career buzzwords.<\/p>\n<p>It analysed the profile summaries of its UK members to compile the list of terms that we overuse and should be avoided.<\/p>\n<p>And with the site having hit 20 million users this week \u2013 more than half the UK workforce \u2013 it\u2019s more important than ever to make yourself stand out and ditch these common-as-muck clich\u00e9s.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"m_first-letter\">T<\/span>he top 10 overused buzzwords for this year are:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleBodyText section\">\n<div class=\"article-body-text component \">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<ol>\n<li>Motivated<\/li>\n<li>Creative<\/li>\n<li>Enthusiastic<\/li>\n<li>Track record<\/li>\n<li>Passionate<\/li>\n<li>Successful<\/li>\n<li>Driven<\/li>\n<li>Leadership<\/li>\n<li>Strategic<\/li>\n<li>Extensive experience<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>In a few minutes, you\u2019re probably going to check your CV and online profile to weed these words\u00a0out. But wait \u2013 before you grab the thesaurus and start flicking through its pages for alternatives \u2013 remember, there\u2019s more to \u2018branding yourself\u2019 than mere adjectives.<\/p>\n<p>A good starting point is to avoid those words that have a negative antonym. That way, in your future employers mind, there\u2019s no potential for your performance to slide downwards on a scale. Take this year\u2019s top three buzzwords and flip them: unmotivated, uncreative and unenthusiastic. If you wouldn\u2019t use them to describe yourself, then forgo their positive forms, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"htmlEmbed section\">\n<div class=\"html-embed component \">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<div class=\"tg-pullquote__content tg-pullquote__global__group\">\n<div class=\"tg-pullquote__quote\">&#8220;Instead of writing that you\u2019re \u2018passionate\u2019 or \u2018creative\u2019 \u2013 why not actually demonstrate that?&#8221;<\/div>\n<div class=\"tg-pullquote__attribution\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"tg-pullquote145331289263777\" class=\"tg-pullquote__share tg-pullquote__global__group\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleBodyText section\">\n<div class=\"article-body-text component \">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<p><span class=\"m_first-letter\">T<\/span>hat&#8217;s not to say you should be relentlessly upbeat and appear one-dimensional. It&#8217;s OK tomention things you&#8217;ve overcomeand learnt from along the way. Just don&#8217;t set yourself up to fail from the off.<\/p>\n<p>Another good tip from LinkedIn is to think beyond words when compiling an online professional profile (let&#8217;s face it, these days,\u00a0some companies don&#8217;t even want to know your name).<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s now perfectly possible to include photos and examples of your work. Instead of writing that you\u2019re \u2018passionate\u2019 or \u2018creative\u2019 \u2013 why not actually demonstrate that by attaching a presentation you\u2019re proud of? There\u2019s no need for tired terms when your work speaks for itself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleBodyImage section\">\n<div class=\"article-body-image component \" data-frz-ancestor=\"\" data-frz-ratio=\"1.60\">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<figure><span class=\"article-body-image-image-container\" data-frz-ratio=\"1.60\" data-frz-parent=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"article-body-image-image\" src=\"http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/content\/dam\/women\/2016\/01\/20\/interviewjob-large_trans++pJliwavx4coWFCaEkEsb3kvxIt-lGGWCWqwLa_RXJU8.jpg\" alt=\"Employers value soft skills too\" width=\"319\" height=\"199\" data-frz-ratio=\"1.60\" data-lazy-loaded=\"true\" \/><\/span><figcaption><span class=\"article-body-image-caption\">Employers value soft skills too<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleBodyText section\">\n<div class=\"article-body-text component \">\n<div class=\"component-content\">\n<p><span class=\"m_first-letter\">W<\/span>hen it comes to a traditional CV, why not think about your soft skills\u2013 those tangible attributes that are the modern workplace\u2019s most sought-after qualities. Think\u00a0punctuality, flexibility, good communication and cooperativeness.<\/p>\n<p>And there\u2019s no need to worry if you don\u2019t have a degree.<\/p>\n<p>This week, publisher Penguin announced it was dropping this as a requirement from its job applications. Instead, think about your experience, extra-curricular activities and examples of your work.<\/p>\n<p>When you present a wide-ranging picture of yourself \u2013 and an\u00a0authentic one \u2013 the buzzwords just fall away.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Banish the buzzwords &#8211; How to sell yourself\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u2018Passionate\u2019 and \u2018Enthusiastic\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Instead of saying that you\u2019re \u2018passionate\u2019 and \u2018enthusiastic\u2019 why not demonstrate that you are? List any voluntary experience or causes you care\u00a0about to highlight your interests outside work and show yourself off as a person who cares as a matter of course.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018<strong>Creative&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Try, \u2018I see the world differently\u2019 \u2013 as long as you can qualify it by explaining how. Or, actively showcase your \u2018creativity\u2019 by uploading examples of your work so that people can see this for themselves<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8216;Track record&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Instead, use \u2018performance\u2019 or \u2018reliable\u2019. Alternatively, prove your \u2018track record\u2019 by adding statistics and tangible results to your job descriptions to demonstrate the outcomes. Have results improved as a result of your work? Say so!<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2018Successful&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nothing beats praise from colleagues and employers to demonstrate you&#8217;re \u2019successful&#8217;. Ask others to\u00a0endorse you; or give former colleagues a recommendation to encourage one\u00a0back<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2018Leadership&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Use real life examples of how you\u2019ve led teams, how large they were, and the outcome. Also, encourage your team to endorse you for your \u2018leadership\u2019 or \u2018management\u2019 skills on LinkedIn<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8216;Extensive experience&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Demonstrate your \u2018experience&#8217; by offering your opinion and insight on relevant topics through LinkedIn groups. Being active makes your profile 15 times more likely to be viewed online. And if you avoid using too many buzzwords, you might even persuade people to read to the end.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>Source: Telegraph UK<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s nothing like a few weeks back at work to make you reassess your career. At this point in January, many of us are thinking about polishing our CVs and updating our LinkedIn pages \u2013 just in case any new opportunities come along. Before you do, think carefully about the language you\u2019re putting out there. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1565,354],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-183657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-relationship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=183657"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183657\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=183657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=183657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=183657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}