Want to get a job in SEO? Here’s how…

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the backbone of a successful website, bumping it up the search engine pages with keywords and ensuring it is seen by as many people as possible.  Major search engines such as Google and Bing will promote so-called ‘authority pages’ at the top of their searches, so creating content which is considered useful and is shared by large numbers of people really can make a huge difference to a website and company’s success.

It’s little wonder, therefore, that jobs in SEO are becoming increasingly important and coveted.  SEO specialists analyse and make changes to website content in order to maximise traffic to the site and push it up the search results, changing the layout, building in active links and developing an in-depth knowledge of the keywords which people search on.

If you’re after an SEO job but don’t know where to begin, here are our top tips for getting a foot in the door…

Show, Don’t Tell

Employers looking to recruit SEO analysts want to see that you’ve put your skills into action.  There’s no point simply bandying the words ‘blog’, ‘analytics’, ‘SEO’ and ‘CSS’ around on your CV if you can’t show you can use them.

Set up your own WordPress blog or create a website where you can write about something you love and demonstrate your awareness of SEO or offer some free advice to a company with a little website and direct recruiters towards it.  Demonstrating your skills is always a good way to prove your worth at an early stage of the recruitment process.

Get a Google Analytics Account

Google Analytics is a free tool which enables you to monitor your website’s performance, allowing you to analyse traffic, keywords and bounce rates and giving you a better picture of what works and what doesn’t.  Tweak things accordingly and you’ll find your website climbing the search engine results.

Consider an Internship

There’s tough competition for jobs in SEO, so any demonstrable experience you can gain is well worth the effort.  Internships can be a brilliant way of gaining some hands-on knowledge and experience which can really boost your CV when it comes to applying for jobs, so try and find a placement which will add to your skill set.

You could also offer your services to friends or small- and medium-sized businesses – many little companies are willing to let you learn on the job through trial and error, especially if they’re getting your services for free.

Be Prepared to Learn and Adapt

We don’t need to tell you how rapidly the digital landscape changes.  Good SEO analysts are always ready to learn something new and adapt to ensure they’re at the forefront of the game.  You don’t need to be an instant expert at everything, but being prepared to push your skills to the limit and showing you can think on your feet will really appeal to potential employers.

Look for Specialist Agencies 

There are some recruitment agencies out there which specialise in placing people in SEO jobs.  Look for agencies which have a good understanding of SEO and the requirements of the job, and you’ll stand a better chance of finding a position. Get your name on as many books as possible to take advantage of any and every vacancy which comes up.

SEO is an extremely competitive field, but this is an exciting and ever-evolving career path which is becoming more and more important in the digital age.  Every company wanting to build a successful website needs an SEO specialist on board, so polish your skills and put them to good use if you want to impress potential employers.