By Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter
The rules of job search have changed; in fact, some might say they have taken a 180-degree turn in recent years, particularly with the advent of social networking. The waters have become murkier than ever as career journalists vie for the attention of readers with click-generating headlines that are not necessarily in careerists’ best interests.
A recent article, Quit Using These 10 Words to Describe Yourself on LinkedIn, further clouds the waters with assertions that confuse and spurs frustration among many who coach and strategize daily with job seekers.
In her usual pragmatic way, Dawn Bugni, master resume writer and career coach, who has been collaborating with careerists for more than 12 years, says, “Job search, sales, marketing, communications in general is never black or white. To say, ‘don’t use these 10 words,’ does job seekers, living in job search’s gray land of it depends, a disservice. I find individuals every day struggling with preconceived, nonexistent rules in job search as it is.”
While overusing keywords can be problematic, the problem with completely abandoning use of such buzzwords is that employers still use those words in job postings. Because recruiters and hiring decision makers as well as automated tracking system (ATS) systems are tapping job posting keywords to unearth potential new hires, eliminating those words altogether can potentially eliminate you from the running.
To read the rest of the post, please click here: Why You Shouldn’t Stop Using Buzzwords in Your Job Search.
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Image via: Phil Hawksworth (Flickr)
I agree completely, Jacqui!
I wrote about the use of cliche phrases on resumes last year and cited the same reasons for including them. As I said in my post, “Two or three clichés, paired with your success stories, can make for a winning combination!”
I remember the post you wrote, Melissa!
Thank you for your concurring comment!
Jacqui