The 5 Buzz Words Executives Always Use on Their LinkedIn Profiles

October 11, 2017

Young man holds a smart device while using Linkedin app

What separates your LinkedIn profile from that of a Fortune 500 exec?

Probably many things.

Aside from years of experience, skills, and qualifications, some of that difference can be measured in a few words, according to a recent study from Grammarly.

The writing-enhancement platform looked at 750 profiles of directors, managers, and entry-level workers at Fortune 500 companies.

While it’s never a good idea to pad your LinkedIn profile — or résumé, for that matter — with random jargon, hiring managers gravitate towards these keywords, especially for upper-level candidates.

If you can use them in a truthful way to describe your own experience, you might just catch a recruiter’s eye.

“These kinds of terms help recruiters easily search and find qualified candidates on LinkedIn,” Grammarly recruiter Angela Ritter said in a post on Grammarly’s website. “Having common business language on your profile is important, but you have to be prepared to talk about your expertise with those terms.”

Here’s a breakdown of some of the business terms Fortune 500 directors like to include in their LinkedIn profiles:

5. ‘ROI’

4% of Fortune 500 directors include this word on LinkedIn.

For example: “Increased company ROI by 100%.”

4. ‘Innovative’

9% of Fortune 500 directors use this word on LinkedIn.

For example: “A leadership style that inspires transformational business solutions, develops innovative marketing strategies and energizes teams by creating an inspired culture.”

3. ‘Solution’

20% of Fortune 500 directors use this word on LinkedIn.

For example: “Able to strategically translate business needs to technology solutions, repeatedly yielding superior results.”

2. ‘Strategic’

32% of Fortune 500 directors use this word on LinkedIn

For example: “Senior corporate and technology executive with 20+ years experience advising businesses, executives and boards of directors with respect to strategic acquisitions, divestitures, and related matters.”