The top LinkedIn buzzwords to avoid

DUBAI // Some of the words users of social networking site LinkedIn are using in their online profiles might be working against them when it comes to standing out from the crowd.

LinkedIn scoured more than 2 million member profiles from the UAE in 2015 to identify some of the top buzzwords used among professionals.

The words ‘organisation’, ‘motivated’, and ‘dynamic’ were the top three most-commonly used words in the UAE, respectively, and LinkedIn says using them may actually be harming members’ prospects in furthering their careers.

The next seven top buzzwords were reported as 4. Leadership, 5. Track Record, 6. Creative, 7. Strategic, 8. Successful, 9. Extensive Experience, and at number 10, the word, ‘Dedicated’.

LinkedIn also examined millions of company pages, revealing the words ‘Expert’, ‘Solution’, and ’Leading’ as the top three most overused ‘buzzwords’ used by businesses to brand themselves.

As with professionals, those behind the website believe these businesses are failing to differentiate themselves from their competitors and hurting their efforts to get a leg up.

“Curating a LinkedIn profile should receive as much attention to detail and quality as creating one’s professional résumé,” said Nada Enan, a senior manager with LinkedIn MENA.

“Buzzwords actually make our member profiles stand out for their lack of creativity and their uniformity.

With more than 400 million users worldwide, LinkedIn launched the Arabic version of its site in early 2015 and now features an updated app, also with an Arabic version.