What are the common mistakes we see candidates making over and over again?

Headshots. Terrible LinkedIn headshots.

You know the ones: shadowy lighting, inappropriate outfits, blurry camera settings, six people crowding the frame, no photo at all....

With nearly 1 billion members and close to 90 per cent of recruiters using LinkedIn to identify or validate talent, Think Talent's Lead Talent Partner, Shanelle Moloney, advises candidates start thinking of LinkedIn as the world's biggest networking event.

"One of the easiest ways to improve your personal brand and ensure you're getting noticed for all the right reasons, is to invest in a professional headshot,"

"Your headshot is your first impression in the virtual world. It matters."

And the stats agree with LinkedIn reporting that bios with headshots attract 21x the views compared to those without!

Once the domain of niche industries such as acting; the rise of online platforms for recruiting and networking, means you are more visible than ever before yet most candidates neglect this aspect of their profile.

"What works on Facebook, isn't necessarily suitable for LinkedIn," says Shanelle of the selfies and 'cropped' images that don't portray a professional, credible image.

She says: "If you were attending an interview in-person, chances are you'd spend time ensuring you looked capable and approachable. Candidates do well to take the same attitude to their online representation."

And by  a 'great' headshot we don't mean a glamorous, model-like photo - definitely not!

We mean an approachable, friendly, clear and professional image that reflects you.

Professional headshots are surprisingly affordable, however, if you aren't ready to invest in a studio session, ask a friend or family member who is handy with a camera to take the photo for you.

Five easy tips for taking better headshots are:

• Look directly at the camera, avoid side views and shadowy lighting. Your image should take up between 60 - 80% of the frame.

• Smile! Just as you would in the real world, if you want to engage, start by looking approachable.

• Choose a simple background that doesn't distract or detract! A plain dark wall will usually work best

• Dress in a way that reflects who you are and is appropriate for your target audience (think future bosses, Hiring Managers, direct reports, buyers etc)

• And finally, when uploading your image to your computer, save the file as “yourname.jpg.” When someone Googles your name, the image will be more likely to show up in the search results!

Earlier this year, the Think Talent team updated our profile pics. We're so pleased with the results - see our new LinkedIn worthy shots and meet the Think Talent team here.