In an effort to stand out in the crowds of job seekers and job keepers, people are adopting clichés like mottos, taglines and sound bytes. ...Until we can't stand those phrases anymore.
Career Builder asked 5000 employees what buzzwords they are tired of, and here are the top (or bottom?) ten:
10. Elevator Pitch. When you bump into people who love this phrase, they rattle out this well-rehearsed short speech, but can't talk about much more.
9. Value-add. When used as a verb, you know no real value is added - just lip service.
8. Bring to the table. If something is for consideration, just say so.
7. Mission-critical. Studies show customers don't really care about mission statements. So, a key activity doesn't have to be called mission-critical.
6. Incentivize. What's wrong with motivate?
5. Best of breed. Are we livestock?
4. Loop me in. Why not just speak plainly: keep me in the loop, or keep me informed.
3. Synergy. It's even overused in hip-hop dance groups and glee clubs.
2. Low-hanging fruit. Not only is this cliché, whoever uses it could be considered opportunistic.
And the number one phrase that should not be used today is...
1. (Thinking) outside the box. It's so overused, you'll wonder what's wrong inside the box.
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| Inside the box is not that bad. |
I'd like to add my own list of most misused phrases.
Initiative. When people say they take the initiative, it is really because they are reacting to something. Have you noticed how many earthquake initiative programs happen after an earthquake?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt. This means, there was a doubt, and I'm trying to convince you there wasn't.
As a matter of fact. This means, it is not factual. This is only used to make people believe when you have doubts. Have you noticed that scam and chain letters start with: "this really happened"? If it is factual, don't say it is.
Too happy, or too much fun. No one can be too happy, unless of course if they are on drugs.
At this point in time. What's wrong with the word now?
Pass with flying colours. Because colours do not walk or run; they fly. Seriously just say passed.
Shoot from the hip. Can't somebody just be candid, or straightforward?
And, last but not the least....
Last but not the least. Someone or something has to be last. There is no need to make excuses for putting it there.
So, at this point in time, as a matter of fact and beyond a shadow of a doubt, thinking outside the box, I am too happy to bring to the table today's wish: I wish people would just communicate instead of trying hard to impress.*
*To shorten, everything between "So,"and the colon can be eliminated.
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