Launching an international career? Watch out for CV cliches

Launching an international career? Watch out for CV cliches

Dynamic, motivated individuals with extensive experience in their field of work would do well to delete these overused CV clichs if they want to stand a chance of winning covetedjobs abroad.

Networking site Linkedin has compiled an intriguing list of the most commonly used buzzwords and key phases by those engaged in the international job hunting process. In the USA alone, employers were faced with a plethora of job hunting candidates with "extensive experience". Candidates with an "innovative" mind and a "motivated" nature were also common, as were "results-orientated" and "dynamic" job hunting individuals.

In order of appearance, the top ten most-used buzzwords and key phrases found in the profiles and CVs of USA-based users in 2010 were:

1. Extensive experience

2. Innovative

3. Motivated

4. Results-oriented

5. Dynamic

6. Proven track record

7. Team player

8. Fast-paced

9. Problem solver

10. Entrepreneurial

The list was revealed to aid professionals in making better choices when it comes to positioning themselves online and making themselves stand out when job hunting. Individuals looking to either acquire their dream careers or make connections in their current industry are advised to find a better of making themselves known rather than simply trawling through a thesaurus to find key phrases and buzzwords.

Phases such as "extensive experience" and "results-orientated" mean very little to employers, and often including phrases of this kind on your CV can be harmful rather than beneficial to your career. If your CV currently contains any of these phases, you are advised to replace them with more refined information. Instead of including the phrase "extensive experience," you may wish to add "ten years of experience". The phrase "results-orientated" could be replaced with "increased sales by 200 percent," and instead of claiming to be a "team player," highlight the times when you best worked as a team and describe your team's achievements. Alterations of this kind will add more meaning to your CV and will tell potential employers more about your previous career by highlighting your individual achievements. Potential employers will be more interested in your career highlights than in generalized, unoriginal buzzwords and key phrases that say nothing about your previous career.

Linkedin also analyzed the way in which these phrases were used across the globe. Job hunters in the USA, Canada and Australia emphasized the "extensive experience" they had to their name while job hunters in Brazil, India and Spain typically identify themselves as being "dynamic" in nature. Linkedin members in the UK were quick to describe themselves as "motivated" while French, German, Italian and Dutch job hunters saw themselves as being highly "innovative".

In their quest to stand out, job hunters momentarily forget that while buzzwords and key phrases may sound good and appear to make you a candidate that cannot be ignored, these words and phrases remain ambiguous and tell employers very little about your career achievements. If your job hunting has so far proved unsuccessful, consider giving your online profile and CV a complete makeover. This does need not take long and may improve your chances of acquiring your dream career. In a highly competitive international job market, it pays to take the time to ensure your application stands out as an original.

POST COMMENT

Who Am I? What has been my career? Taking Care Of People Could Turn Into A Great Career 3 Important Steps To Making A Wise Career Choice Careers with a Nursing Degree 5 Steps To Your CRASH Hot Career Clinical research careers in Bangalore Career Opportunities Facing MBA Students Do MBA and build your career Building Your Career In The Right Path Necessary Skills for Careers in Phlebotomy Career In Anesthesiologist Assistant Understand Your Values Before Making A Career Change 101 Great Ways To Enhance Your Career