10 buzzwords Canadian job seekers are guilty of over-using

By using buzzwords, you may be overlooked before you've even had a chance to prove yourself. (Thinkstock)

For many professionals, January is the time of year when job hunting hits its peak: whether it's layoffs after end-of-year numbers, or just time for a fresh start, it's the month when job seekers begin the search for that big career move.

Unfortunately, a lot of those job seekers may be putting themselves at a disadvantage by not making their resume or online profile shine the way it should. There are plenty of common mistakes, from not proofreading a resume to applying to jobs the wrong way. However one mistake you might be making without even realizing it is overusing some key words.

Popular networking site LinkedIn has just released its annual list of buzzwords, terms that are overused without really telling the reader (and prospective recruiter or boss) anything about what you're actually bringing to the table.

Take a look at your resume, profile and cover letter, and see if you can spot any of these:

1. Leadership

2. Passionate

3. Motivated

4. Creative

5. Strategic

6. Dedicated

7. Extensive experience

8. Driven

9. Successful

10. Organizational

These terms, while still valuable descriptors, loose their meaning and significance when everyone has those terms on his or her resume. Tom Fishburne, Founder and CEO of Marketoonist, highlights one other big problem with them.

"The first time I ever wrote a resume in college, a friend teased me about describing my responsibilities at a golf course snack bar as 'cash flow management.'" Fishburne wrote in a LinkedIn post. "My friend caught me trying to grasp at language that would sound impressive.

"It struck me as funny how no one actually talks like that in real life."

What will actually make employers take notice of you is showing concrete examples of what you're trying to show as your strengths. If you've got a presentation that demonstrates you're creative, include a snippet of that. Include numbers that show you made a difference in your previous company, or short anecdotes about how you improved strategy or showed dedication.

Networking is also key. Whether it be through online groups, or in-person meetings, you'll be more memorable when job opportunities arise than someone who is applying to a position cold for the first time. Know your industry and when appropriate, make connections with people in the companies you'd like to work with.

Likewise, if you can help boost a friend or colleague by recommending them for a relevant position, it'll mean more than if they apply to the job as an unknown, with a resume full of buzzwords.

Have any tips for how to get your resume noticed and eliminate buzzwords? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @YahooFinanceCA!