Youre probably using one of these buzzwords on your LinkedIn profile, but is that a good thing

Youre probably using one of these buzzwords on your LinkedIn profile, but is that a good thingYoure probably using one of these buzzwords on your LinkedIn profile, but is that a good thingWhile there are already a bunch of super annoying phrases that people use at work, LinkedIn recently released the 2018 list of buzzwords that people use the most in their profiles.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up forMorning MotivationIts our friendly Facebook robot that will send you a quick note every weekday morning to help you start strong. Sign up here by clicking Get StartedTaking this into account, we know that buzzwords can be a no-go for a variety of reasons, butis there ever an upside to using them? Itmight just work both ways.America used these buzzwords the most on LinkedIn in 2018LinkedIns latest data on this topic might look familiar to you - heres their list.1.) Specialized2.) Experienced3.) Leadership4.) Skilled5.) Passionate6.) Expert7.) Motivated8.) Creative9 .) Strategic10.) SuccessfulBuzzwords can be super genericAs you can see, the words on LinkedIns newest list are generic at best. Cleverism provides an explanation for why you want to leave terms like this off your resume.You do not want to opt for generic terms in a resume. Your resume shouldnt be a collection of achievements and attributes that make you a great average worker. Your resume is your perspektive to show why you are different and why you would add more value to the team. You need to use words that make you stand out from the crowd not make you just another part of it.As mentioned earlier, a term like creative doesnt reveal anything specific about you or what you do. Its good to be a creative person but the word itself wont give any insight into your accomplishment or your personality. Its just a generic term to describe your style.The post goes on to list and explain words onLinkedIns 2017 buzzwords list.Other words and phrases to back away fromDont even think about the seRockstar/NinjaAnneke Jong, COO at Rockets of Awesome,writes in The Muse about why you shouldnt use these wordsWhether youre sitting in on an annual performance review at a consulting firm or talking to a hiring manager at a tech company, youll hear these absurd non-titles everywhere. But unless your co-worker has actually toured with Mtley Cre or wields nunchucks at the office, there is no reason to call her a rock star or a ninja. Also to be avoided guru, wizard, and god. If someone has excelled professionally, praise her for what shes actually done- dont rely on cutesy hyperbole.PivotSeriously? This one has gotten old by now.Darrah Brustein, founder of Network Under 40, told Mashable about why you should stop using this wordPivot has become the glamorous way of saying that you changed something that wasnt working. Call it what it is. Admit that you made a mistake or a subpar product/service and that you found a way to adjust it. I have much more respect for calling it like it is than trying to put a pretty bow on something to try and save face, she said.Heresone positive reason to use buzzwords in an interviewCareer coach Hallie Crawfordtold Glassdoor about why its good to use certain ones at this time.In a job interview, hiring managers are alert to certain words and phrases that convey knowledge of the position, confidence, and that a person would be a good fit for the company, she said.

How to End a Cover Letter - 2019 Guide & Examples

How to End a Cover Letter - 2019 Guide & ExamplesHow to End a Cover Letter How to End a Cover LetterYouve finished the daunting task of writing your titelblatt letter, and you nailed it. You took our advice on how to start your cover letter and how long should your cover letter be to craft the perfect cover letter. You showcased your unique experience and even injected some of your personality. Now, its time to wrap up the letter and send it off to the hiring manager. Seems easy, right? Yet your hands lie idle on the keyboard, frozen in time. Its not so easy after all. If you follow these tips and tricks for signing off your cover letter, you will soon be submitting your application, waiting for that call to schedule an interview.The Pitfalls of Ending your Cover LetterYou may be tempted to rush through the ending of your cover letter. After all, youve already done the heavy lifting with the experience and honesty you included in the actual letter. The ending couldnt possibly matter that much.But it does. If you come across desperate or needy, the hiring manager will immediately be turned off and you can kiss your chance of getting an interview goodbye. If you ask for too much, the hiring manager might think you feel entitled to the position, leaving a bad taste in their mouth. You want your cover letter to end with a feeling of gratitude and a clear understanding of who you are and why you deserve an interview.End Your Cover Letter on a High NoteThe last phrase of your cover letter should reiterate your enthusiasm and seal the deal with the hiring manager. Your ending is what will be remembered, and it should be direct and strong.If you use a passive voice (i.e. I look forward to hearing from you), the reader will not feel compelled to call you in for an interview. Here are some great examples demonstrating how you can end your cover letterExamples of How to End a Cover Letter1) I am excited to learn more about this position and demonstrate why I am a great fi t for your company.This votum showcases your enthusiasm for the position and leaves the hiring manager wanting to learn more about you and why you believe youre such an excellent fit for this position and organization.2) I would love the opportunity to meet with you and share how I plan to hit the ground running.By showing your eagerness to jump in and begin performing the required duties of the position, the hiring manager will be enticed to bring you in and learn about what you plan to bring to the position.3) I believe I am the best person for this position and would love to meet you and share what I can bring to your company. Hiring managers are always looking for what you, the applicant, can do for their company and not what they can do for you. Showing that you have qualities that will drive their business forward will please the hiring manager and they will want to bring you in to discuss further.4) I will call you next Monday to discuss further and set up an interview.This i s a bold tactic that doesnt always work. You can certainly use this statement but always proceed with caution. Your confident demeanor may turn some hiring managers off, while it may impress others. So always be aware of the organization and person you are sending this to ensure you wont offend the hiring manager.Choose the Correct Close of Your Cover LetterEqually as important as your greeting, your sign-off can make a world of difference. You want to avoid sounding too friendly or casual. Here are some examples of closes you can useSincerelyBestThank youEnd the cover letter with your name and add any relevant contact information below your name so the hiring manager can contact you immediately if they feel you are a fit. A phone number and email address below your name can make it that much easier for the hiring manager to get in touch with you.Follow these simple steps, and you will have your next interview scheduled in no time.

How to Be Friends With Your Boss at Work - The Muse

How to Be Friends With Your Boss at Work - The Muse How to Be Friends With Your Boss at Work That line between being manager and employee and buddy-buddy is a tricky one to navigate. You don’t want to be too buttoned up, but you don’t want to color too far outside the lines either. You want to have a great relationship with your supervisor, but you don't want to forget about the ever-present asymmetry of power. So how do you walk the tightrope of being friendly with your boss while stopping short of being close pals? 1. Leave the Crazier, Most NSFW Parts Out You know that moment when everyone is gathered around the coffeemaker, hoping that third cup will do the trick. One colleague mentions the party he went to on Friday night; another one talks about the new guy she’s seeing. Sharing the escapades of your weekend is fine with co-workers who are also good friends, but your boss doesn’t need to be regaled with tales of your crazy Saturday night, no matter how friendly the two of you are. A key component of any great employee is strong judgment. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes or does things he might not choose not to repeat if given a do-over, and if those things don’t relate to work and don’t reflect well on you, there’s no need for your boss to know about them. 2. Follow Your Boss’ Lead When it comes to casual conversations with your boss, follow her lead. Not every conversation has to be about work; in fact, you probably don’t want it to be that way. It’s great to be able to talk to your supervisor casually about things other than spreadsheets and client deliverables, but developing a strong rapport means venturing off professional topic too. When those side conversations pop up, let your manager pick the topic- at least initially. Once you’ve established that going off on non-work related tangents is OK from time to time, you can then decide to strike up conversation on the TV show you’re binging or the new restaurant you tried over the weekend. 3. Know Your Triggers and Your Limits Everyone has things that push him over the edge- pet peeves, personal insecurities, workplace drama. But before you blow off steam in front of your calm and collected manager, take a deep breath and, if necessary, excuse yourself for a couple of minutes to recollect yourself. Losing your cool or misfiring your emotions rarely goes over well, and if you act in haste you’ll likely be holding your head in your hands later on when you realize how easily your bitch session could’ve been avoided. Being aware of your limits is right up there with knowing what triggers you. Ask yourself honestly how many glasses of wine you can consume before you become a person you’re not so interested in your boss seeing, or before you find it difficult to stick to the topics you’ve decided are kosher for sharing with your boss. 4. Don’t Share Anything You Wouldn’t Want Him to Remember It’s tempting to share your views when the conversation is in full swing and your boss is sharing his frustrations about what’s going wrong with the company. Keep in mind that your boss will continue to be in a position of power long after he’s stopped being irritated. If you’ll be sorry you said it when he gets back to loving the company with all his heart, save your venting for your mom instead. Remember that active listening can be just as engaging as sharing your own views- not to mention it leaves you with far fewer causes for nightmares. While nobody expects you to be perfect, the old less-is-more adage works quite well when it comes to being friends with your boss. She evaluates your work, and makes decisions about your compensation, workload, and promotion status. There’s no need to be aloof and pretend like you don’t have a life outside the office, but it’s important to keep the relationship dynamic in mind. Photo of woman talking to her boss courtesy of Westend61/Getty Images.