LinkedIn top 10 UK professional profile clichés

LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network with more than 85 million members worldwide, has revealed the top 10 most commonly used words and phrases in professional profiles for members based in the UK. These are:

1. Motivated
2. Extensive Experience
3. Innovative
4. Proven Track Record
5. Dynamic
6. Team Player
7. Proactive
8. Entrepreneurial
9. Skill Set
10. Problem Solver

"We have the opportunity to uncover interesting workplace trends given the high volume of people with profiles on LinkedIn," said DJ Patil, LinkedIn's Chief Data Scientist. "In this case, we wanted to reveal insights that help professionals make better choices about how to position themselves online whether they are looking for a job or not."

"Phrases like 'extensive experience' and 'proven track record' can appear empty to a potential employer and may do more harm than good when you include them in your profile or resume," said Katie Ledger, BrandYou Board member and author of ´And what do you do? 10 steps to creating a portfolio career´. "If you're using any of these ten terms, wipe them out. Instead, note that you have eight to ten years of experience or that you increased sales by 300 percent. Include meaningful phrases that apply specifically to highlights you've achieved in your career. Remember, potential employers and collaborators care more about what you have actually done than what may appear on your business card."

"The Christmas period is the perfect time to give your profile and your resume a makeover, since you don't have to worry about the everyday hassles you face when you are typically at your desk," Ledger added.

BrandYou is a pan-European LinkedIn campaign launched in November 2010 to highlight the increasing importance of personal brand management at all stages of an individual's career. Katie Ledger is part of the BrandYou Board, a central component of the campaign that brings together a selection of Europe's leading marketing experts covering all aspects of brand management, from research and analysis to brand development and measurement.

Here are some tips professionals can act on over the holidays to increase the number of people viewing their LinkedIn Profile:

Optimise your profile
Make sure your LinkedIn Profile is complete and includes all the roles you have had. You are 12 times more likely to be viewed for potential opportunities if you have more than one position listed on your profile. Also, add a profile photo - people never forget a face.

Build your network of connections
Connect to at least 35 trusted contacts. Simply import your contacts to start finding first, second or even third degree connections working at companies you want as clients or would like to get in touch with.

Lift your profile in Google search results
Have you done a Google search for your name? If you haven't, you should. People are Googling you before meetings and interviews. Get your LinkedIn Profile to come up higher in search results by customising your profile URL.