Tips that can make your LinkedIn profile stand out in 2017

MUMBAI, INDIA: Professional networking platform, LinkedIn analyzed the profile summaries of 39 million members in India and compiled a list of the top 10 most overused buzzwords and phrases used by Indian professionals in their LinkedIn profiles.

Professionals looking to sharpen their LinkedIn profiles can refer to this Buzzwords 2017 list to make the story of their professional journey look simple yet compelling on the networking platform.

“With over 1 million people entering the workforce every month, the Indian job market continues to get more competitive. So, it’s essential for professionals to show up differently and create a compelling professional brand. Our data shows that historically, this is the busiest month of the year for LinkedIn profile updates. So, if you are starting something new or making your next move, now is the perfect time to evaluate your profile. With our list of overused Buzzwords, we help professionals build a stronger online presence that can get them closer to their dream jobs,” said Deepa Sapatnekar, Head of Communications, LinkedIn India & Hong Kong.

The top ten India Buzzwords for this year include:

1. Specialized
2. Leadership
3. Expert
4. Strategic
5. Passionate
6. Certified
7. Responsible
8. Excellent
9. Experienced
10. Focused

A new addition to the top 10 list, ‘specialized’ is this year’s most overused buzzword both globally and in India. ‘Leadership’ has moved up two notches from last year, while ‘passionate’ which was in the top three in 2016 closes the top five list for 2017.  Some new additions to the list include words such as ‘certified’ and ‘excellent’; and ‘organization’ which was the most overused Buzzword in 2016 is off the charts this year.

Globally, LinkedIn has partnered with author Christopher Sandford, a bestselling biographer who is well accustomed to articulating others’ achievements. Christopher Sandford has provided his advice for those looking to improve their LinkedIn profile this year:

Mind your language

Your profile summary is one of the first things people look at, so it’s important to get it right. You want the reader to want to know more about you, so start with something punchy. You can do this through specific phrases, storytelling or even clever use of punctuation. Don’t be afraid to lead with a short sentence, such as ‘Music is my first love.’ Above all, you should always keep your reader, or customer, firmly in mind.

Be direct

It’s often tempting to speak in the third person when it comes to our working lives - don’t! It’s impersonal and won’t draw the reader in. Take a professional tone and be assertive and direct when you’re talking about your achievements, don’t hide behind buzzwords or jargon. At the same time, don’t shy away from adding some personality to your language – this is a great way to show your character.

Make the most of your experience

List out all your relevant previous roles and describe what you did in everyday language. This will help people understand the breadth of your ‘work story’ - a complete profile reflects a well-rounded person.

Show, don’t just tell

While language is important, so is showing real examples of your work. Instead of using buzzwords like ‘strategic’, prove it by uploading presentations or projects that bring this to life. These are individual to you and help paint the picture of your special skills and unique background – whether that’s an image from a launch of a big campaign or the blog you write in your spare time.