Until recently, your CV was a succinct list of your work history and career highlights. But nowadays, many employers are asking for a personal statement that goes at the top. Similarly, application forms often have a space for a précis of who are you and, of course, your LinkedIn professional sum--mary is a place to tell browsers a bit more about yourself.

The trouble is that most of these personal summaries are not very personal at all. They are an interchangeable mix of words from the Lego box of management jargon. Everyone says they are passionate, committed, motivated and experienced and, in doing so, say nothing at all. LinkedIn has helpfully compiled a list of its most overused words.

So how do you stand out – without sounding like an idiot?