LinkedIn reveals most overused buzzwords in Ireland

LinkedIn today released the most overused words on Irish LinkedIn profiles. For the sixth year running, the ‘buzzwords’ were drawn from analysis of millions of profiles worldwide to compile the 10 worst offenders from the past 12 months. The list is revealed during what is historically the busiest week in January for LinkedIn profile updates in Ireland, as people think about their career path for the year ahead.

This year’s most overused buzzword in Ireland, and new to the top 10 list, is ‘specialised’ with over 30,000 LinkedIn members in Ireland using the term on their profile. Perhaps, reflecting a change in the Irish workforce’s economic outlook, last year’s top buzzword ‘motivated’ has fallen out of the top 10 to 15th place. New entries to this year’s top 10 include ‘experienced’, ‘excellent’, ‘hard-working’ and ‘focused’ which indicates a renewed confidence by Irish professionals in their abilities.

The top 10 Irish buzzwords for 2017 are:

– specialised
– leadership
– experienced
– excellent
– passionate
– focused
– hard working
– strategic
– enthusiastic
– creative

Other buzzwords that came close to reaching the top 10 list include: ‘expert’ (12th), ‘successful’ (18th) and ‘driven’ (19th). New buzzwords that emerged in 2016 to impact LinkedIn member profiles include; ‘interdisciplinary’, ‘savvy’, ‘distinguished’, ‘thinker’, ‘entrepreneurial’ and ‘aggressive.’

“It’s a great time to start something new whether it’s a new career, building your professional brand, making new connections or even becoming a mentor. If you’ve thought about pursuing a new career or tackling a challenge, you’re not alone,” says Wendy Murphy, Senior HR Director, LinkedIn EMEA.

“To highlight how ineffective it is to rely on these buzzwords are, we imagined what they would look like as self-descriptors for some of Ireland’s best known historical figures. The one thing that all of these Irish icons have in common is that they let their work talk for them. This is a lesson we would encourage everyone to learn from. Bring your professional accomplishments to life by sharing samples of your work on LinkedIn like presentations or photos from events to demonstrate how you live these buzzwords, not merely say them.”