OK so you might be. But if you use these words on your LinkedIn summary, you’ll sound exactly like the 90 million other people on LinkedIn!

According to LinkedIn researchers, these are the most common words people use to describe themselves on their LinkedIn profiles.

So how do you avoid these words?

You avoid clichés by giving detail, and by trying to pinpoint exactly why you would describe something that way. Say, for example, you think you are “dynamic.” Why could you say that? Have you succeeded in a constantly changing environment? If so, what did you do and what was the result?

How do you know you are results-oriented? You could show this by listing achievements on your profile.

Like this Marketer:

• For a not-for-profit with minimal budget, I designed and developed new website to re-engage their community to increase their retention of subscription members from 50% to 80%.

In two lines this statement says something to her target audience – she’s worked on a minimal budget and delivered results. She’s demonstrated that she’s result-oriented without having to say it.

The challenge here is that not all jobs have numbers attached. If that’s the case you need to think about your impact. If you’re an Executive Assistant your impact is measured in the support you provide to the team.

Here’s an example of how an Executive Assistant could list his/her achievements:

• Re-configured paper based filing system to an easily accessible online system which reduced file retrieval time to minutes rather than hours;
• Researched and wrote a welcome manual covering office procedures, IT and telephone set-up and OH&S which reduced questions and improved team induction process.

You can show that you are a problem solver by the difference you make for your clients.

Problem solving is different from your skills and responsibilities – which you can list in detail in your “specialties” section. The problem you solve is how you help clients, whether they be internal or external.

This is a problem a PR person may solve:

“We develop public relations strategies with impact… “We genuinely want to make your business more successful. Ask us about our success with unknown brands.”

Here’s an Account Executive:

“With over 15 years in business development creating enduring client relationships, I thrive in roles where I can win business through my creativity and tenacity….I am seeking an Account Executive or Business Development role in an ethical company, with a respected brand, where I can grow a challenging territory.”

Your Linkedin summary section is your chance to tell people why they should hire you, connect with you or recruit you.

Please don’t sound like everyone else!

Wide spectrum of jobs is available at our CAREER section!
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