You probably have seen them ~
- Innovator
- Strategist
- Creative Thinker
Descriptions in a professional bio?
Perhaps. But, that’s not the only place these overused descriptors are popping up.
We see these and similar descriptions used in the Professional Headline section of users’ LinkedIn accounts.
- Are you like me?
- Do you think these descriptors belong somewhere else?
- Like your recommendations written by SOMEONE ELSE?
Not What I Was Searching For
Imagine you need a freelance writer – or a widget maker.
- You open your LinkedIn Account
- You click on Advanced Options for People
- You type in the word – Creative Thinker in Title – or maybe Keywords
Yeah, right.
Let’s look at another scenario.
- You see a response to an Answer or a comment in a Group
- Then you look at the person’s Professional Headline – I do it right the first time
Which of the following would be your most likely reaction?
- I want to hire this person immediately
- I believe in them because they do it right the first time
- Just what is it they do – exactly?
Your descriptor becomes a throw-away word.
Taken in Context
There are words that become overused to the point of losing all meaning.
But that doesn’t mean they no longer have value – as long as they are used in the right context.
Let me offer you an example.
Creativity is a wonderful trait.
- Originality is the significant other of creativity
- New paths are discovered in the hallways of creativity
- Passion defines creativity
If you had never met me, which of the following would you take greater stock in?
- My LinkedIn Professional Headline that lists Creative Thinker?
- Or a portfolio sample that illustrates that creativity?
And if your choice was my self-proclamation or a customer’s recommendation praising my creativity, which would you feel was more credible?
Readers dismiss self-professed traits – you need to earn them.
Judgment Day
My litmus test for marketing success is at the heart of this discussion.
Readers want to know ~
- Who are you?
- Why should I care?
- What problems are you going to solve for me?
- What makes your product or service different from any other?
- Prove it
Slapping a label in your Professional Headline is not the proof they are looking for.
Quite the opposite. You could lose points on the credibility scale.
What do you think when you see these kind of descriptors in LinkedIn Professional Headlines?
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Happy New Year, Cathy. You make a good point. I’ve seen plenty of people get creative with their professional headlines, but never thought of it from a practical search function POV. I’ve always treated mine like a job title.
Makes you wonder how many opportunities people miss when their LinkedIn headlines are single skills (in some cases, vague skills), not job titles.
Thanks, Paula. I understand the need to stand out from the crowd – especially with a name like Cathy Miller! 😀 But, when it comes to what you do, Creative Thinker doesn’t tell me what I should hire you for.
Thanks for stopping by, Paula, and Happy New Year to you, too!
AMEN. Cathy, I wrote resumes for four years, and everything you say is true. No one cares if you are a “detail-oriented” person or a “multitasker.” SHOW them through your accomplishments evidence of this instead of stating it. I got so sick of seeing the same words on resume after resume that I created a hit list of my least favorite resume phrases:
– Detail-oriented
– Out-of-the-box thinker
– Creative
– Innovative
– People person (makes you sound like a lap dog anyway)
– Team player
I could go on, but I’m starting to get worked up again. LOL
Don’t you love people who say things like “innovative creative thinkers” without realizing it only makes them sound redundant? And there are always the people who start every line on a résumé with “Responsible for…”
I especially love seeing a poorly written résumé in which the person claims to have superior writing or communication skills, or obvious typos on résumés from people claiming to be detail-oriented. Occasionally both in one résumé!
A lot about people can be revealed in their un-edited résumés.
Isn’t that the truth, Paula. I guess that is why there’s a niche for resume writing. 😉
LOL, Lori. I think we all have our favorite hit list – Out-of-the-box is definitely on mine!
Didn’t mean to stir you up this early in the year, Lori.
Very good points Cathy.
Reminds me that I should work on getting more recs on LinkedIn, and that I should have a look at my profile and see just exactly what I say there!
Thanks, John. I know that I would place more value in a recommendation than endorsements or self-professed skills. Thanks for stopping by, John.
Good points, Cathy. Also a good reminder to visit LinkedIn and see what my profile looks like.
Thanks, Sharon. I know you will find a stellar profile when you look at yours. 😉