Choose Your Words

On the one hand, ​this is really obvious, right? I mean, writing your resume, or updating your LinkedIn profile is all about choosing your words ... which is exactly why some of us put it off for so long!

What I'm referring to, specifically, though is certain words - ones that are inclusive ... or exclusive. Choosing the right words makes a big difference to those you interact with. It can make them feel better, and caring about how other people feel reflects well on you.
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I know for some people this is a stressful topic. If you're not sure where to begin, or if you're afraid of making a misstep, below are a few tips to help out:

1. Anticipate a diverse audience of different cultural, ethnic, religious, or racial backgrounds as well as different ages, gender and sexual orientations, and disabilities, visible or not.
2. By doing this, you'll be less likely to make assumptions or generalizations which exclude people.
3. Be respectful of a person or group’s preference regarding vocabulary - if you're not sure of the preference, just ask!

Resources / References

CBC recently wrote a story about words that can be problematic. While some people bristled at certain words in this story, in my opinion, it never hurts to at least learn why something might be problematic. Even if you don't see a problem with "blacklist," is it really a problem to use "blocklist" instead? It's probably a more accurate descriptor anyway.

Egale Canada also offers a great, simple page on affirming and inclusive language.
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Hubspot also has a comprehensive story on inclusive language in the workplace.

If you'd still like some help choosing your words, don't worry - that's what I'm here for! I hope the above information is useful, but if you need more assistance with LinkedIn, or your resume, you can contact me.
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