Avoiding buzzwords on LinkedIn

You certainly may be motivated, dynamic, results-oriented and entrepreneurial, but please don't use those terms on your LinkedIn profile.

They're among the top 10 overused professional buzzwords in members' profiles, according to DJ Patil, the site's chief data scientist.

"Phrases like ‘extensive experience’ and ‘proven track record’ can appear empty to a potential employer and may do more harm than good when you include them in your profile or resume,” said Lindsey Pollak, above left, in a statement. She's a career and workplace expert, as well as LinkedIn spokesperson. Better to say you have "eight to ten years of experience" or you "increased sales by 300 percent."

Also, get your thesaurus out for these worn-out words and terms on the top 10 list:
--innovative
--team player
--fast-paced
--problem solver

Cheryl Pagliuca, recruitment and marketing specialist at Lloyd Staffing in Melville, said she and some colleagues had just been bemoaning the use of unimaginative language, especially for jobs in creative areas. Just how creative does it sound to say you are an "out-of-the-box" thinker, she says. You sound more like a 1990s thinker. She also suggests steering clear of -- or enhancing --  the following: multitasker, ROI, anything with synergy.

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