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Words Kiwis should probably avoid using on their LinkedIn profiles
Thu, 2nd Feb 2017
FYI, this story is more than a year old

New Zealand's most overused words on LinkedIn profiles have just been revealed, one of which didn't make the top 10 last year, but is now number one.

The buzz word "specialised" has been used the most out of all on Kiwi profiles, but ironically people are avoiding what it is they're actually specialised in.

Passionate and strategic also top the list, which according to LinkedIn, people are using in an attempt to highlight their expertise – not realising that they are actually diluting their professional brand.

The "buzzwords" were drawn from analysis of millions of profiles to compile the ten worst offenders from the past twelve months.

New Zealand's most overused word, and completely new to the top 10 this year, is “Specialised” replacing “Leadership” which topped the 2016 list.

“Passionate” has moved up one place to become the third most overused buzzword worldwide.

The top ten New Zealand buzzwords for 2017 are:

  1. Specialised
  2. Leadership
  3. Passionate
  4. Experienced
  5. Strategic
  6. Focused
  7. Creative
  8. Excellent
  9. Expert
  10. ​Successful

Shiva Kumar, head of Communications Australia - New Zealand at LinkedIn, says LinkedIn data shows you only have five to ten seconds to impress a potential employer online, so it's important to stand out from the rest of crowd.

“Using the right words and substantiating them with real examples of your work makes your profile more authentic.