Recruiting Buzzwords to Ban From Your Job Ad

LinkedIn know a good buzzword when they see one. They found the top 10 most overused words to avoid in your profile, so we at Pedestrian Jobs thought we’d do the same for your job ad.

Plus, we’re offering 50% off your first job ad for all our new friends! Simply email us at jobs@pedestriangroup.com.au to claim. Already one of us? We still luv ya – email us for a free promo on your next job ad.  


Ahh buzzwords. The jargon of the everyday. We’re all guilty of using them, but what do they actually ~mean~? Not a whole lot, it turns out. 
Ol’ mate LinkedIn Australia analysed millions of profiles to nut out the top 10 buzzwords for 2017 – the most-used words we’re all sprinkling in our bios to sound extra sparkly. But of course, when everyone’s a passionate and experienced creative expert, the sparkle kind of fades.

So what does that mean for your next job ad? 

While LinkedIn was talking profiles, flip the coin and these are also buzzwords you need to ban from your jobs ads. You know what they say – overuse breeds contempt.
 
THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP, LINKEDIN
The top 10 buzzwords used in LinkedIn profiles in Oz are: 
  1. Specialised 
  2. Leadership 
  3. Passionate 
  4. Experienced 
  5. Strategic 
  6. Focused 
  7. Expert 
  8. Creative 
  9. Successful 
  10. Excellent 
Cringe. 
While these are profile-specific, we reckon they’re a good place to start when looking at your job ad as well. Passionate? You’d hope so. Strategic? As opposed to that non-strategic thinker you’re looking to hire. Focused? Again, when do we ever want to hire someone with the attention span of a gnat? 
When buzzwords lose their shine.
SOME MORE TO AVOID?
Along with the above nuggets, here are some more buzzy buzzwords we’re trying to cut down on. 

Self-starter: Along with ‘hit the ground running’, we feel like this is kind of self explanatory. 
Try instead: able to work independently, hungry for a challenge 

Team player: These days, who doesn’t work as part of a team? 
Try instead: happy collaborator, willing to work with feedback 
Fast-paced workplace: Commonly understood as “you’ll be working like crazy, maybe overtime, probably often”. 
Try instead: willing to be flexible with hours, high energy office 

Attention to detail: Ain’t nobody got time for careless mistakes. 
Try instead: organised and careful, stickler for accuracy 
WHAT CAN WE DO INSTEAD?
LinkedIn got biographer Christopher Sandford on board to give job seekers some hot tips on how to sidestep those pesky buzzwords and stand out from the crowd – we think they’re a pretty good place to start for your job ad too. 

1. Mind your language: Start with something punchy to make a 10/10 first impression, whether it’s a story about your business or some clever word play (pun time). 
2. Be direct: Balance professionalism and personality and try to be specific about your ideal fit. 
3. Make the most of your experiences: What is it like doing this job? Try listing the tasks involved. 
4. Show, don’t tell: Describe scenarios readers might find themselves in in the role, rather than listing a series of desired attributes. 
Buzzwords = banished. Now to put up that job ad.
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