How to stand out in your SEO job application?
Entering the world of SEO
Whether you are entering the world of SEO or an established digital marketer, one of the most common questions that keeps popping into your head is ‘How do you stand out in your SEO job application?’. Therefore, in this article, we will explore what is SEO in general, tips on getting started in this field, and how you can land your dream SEO job.
SEO is an abbreviation for Search Engine Optimization and is an Internet Marketing strategy.
SEO is a set of processes aimed at improving a website’s visibility to rank higher on a search engine results page (SERP). If your page visibility is good, there is a chance of gaining more organic traffic when a relevant keyword is searched on a search engine platform like Google, Yahoo, or Bing.
The usual responsibility of an SEO analyst is to improve the appearance, positioning, technical configuration, content relevance, and link popularity to rank higher in search engines.
How to make your SEO job application noticeable?
In today’s competitive job market, it is more important than ever to make your job application stand out to hiring managers and potential employers. It is not only about creating a resume, it is about how you showcase your abilities. So, let’s dive in and explore some ways to make your job application stand out!
Review the job description to identify what employers are looking for
A common mistake many job seekers make is creating a single “good enough” resume and submitting it for every position they apply for. The key to finding a job, SEO or otherwise, is to possess the skills the employer is looking for in SEO. However, not every SEO position has the same set of requirements. Rather, it will differ based on the organization. For example, some employers want applicants to have a college degree, while others look for applicants who have demonstrated written and vocal communication abilities in addition to experience with digital marketing.
Go over the job description thoroughly to ensure you know what is expected of you. Every job application needs to be tailored specifically to the job and the company. You must learn everything you can about the company that interests you. What are their primary products or services? Who are their competitors? This is a great way to get an insight into the culture and what working at the company is really like.
In your resume, you should highlight any projects or values that interest you. If you have hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job, include them in your resume. This can help showcase your personality and increase your chances of securing the job.
Highlight your SEO skills
Gaining an understanding of SEO is crucial if you want to land a decent SEO job.
You should have a basic understanding of SEO terms such as On-page SEO, Off-page SEO, Technical SEO, White and Black hat SEO, etc. Some of the frequently required skills include identification of target audience, experience with website audits, keyword research, competitor analysis, and link building.
Highlight your skills and experience by showcasing your past projects, case studies, and successful campaigns.
SEO tools
To emphasize your skills and range of day-to-day abilities, highlight the tools you have used. Create a Skills section in your resume and list the SEO tools you have used.
- Ahrefs and SEMrush
- SEOQuake
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
- Screaming Frog
- Page analysis plug-ins: Conductor, MozBar, SEO Minion
Use keywords
Make sure your job application meets the selection criteria by adding the relevant keywords.
Skills: If the job requires proficiency in Microsoft Excel, make sure to include this skill in your resume.
Industry-specific terms: If you are applying for a job in digital marketing, use terms such as “SEO”, “content marketing” and “branding” in your resume.
Job-specific keywords: If you are applying for a job in SEO, use keywords such as “competitor research”, “content creation” and “backlinks”.
Include Real-Life Results
Employers want to see results, so including real-life achievements in your portfolio is important. Make sure to include your accomplishments along with your experience. Provide figures to demonstrate the effect of your work. For example:
- Grew organic traffic by +33% after updating content based on keyword research.
- Improved site speed by 15% after reducing technical errors such as broken links, redirects, and oversized images.
- Created the team’s SEO strategy that outlined all SEO plans and objectives for the quarter.
You can include your existing work and clientele as well. It will leave a good impression on the companies since they will be aware of your potential based on the projects you are managing.
Enroll in a Course to stay current with emerging trends
Search Engine Optimization is characterized by its dynamic environment. Whether it’s changes to Google’s algorithm or emerging new technologies, what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow.
Stay up to date with the latest trends by reading blogs and web resources. Participate in SEO forums where you can ask and answer questions.
Consider enrolling in a certification program at platforms such as Skillshare, Coursera, and Udemy.
Build Your Online Brand
In an evolving job market, which also happens to coincide with a look-at-me social media environment, it is more important than ever to stand out. And that means more than simply doing good work and having an amazing portfolio – it means building your brand.
A good place to start branding yourself is with a personal website through which you will be able to market your skills and services.
Pick up a niche that you are interested in and build your website. Applicants can show how they conduct keyword research and apply findings to writing content. The same goes for Title Tags, Meta Description, and Alt Tags which make content more likely to rank well on Google.
Keep it short
Employers are often flooded with job applications, hence, a long, rambling one can be a turnoff. Your cover letter should be one page maximum. Focus on relevant skills and experience.
Your portfolio should be visually appealing and easy to navigate. Use clean design, high-quality images, and concise copy to showcase your work.
Getting straight to the point shows your respect for the employer’s time and your ability to organize your information well. Moreover, a brief application can be easier to read and remember, increasing the likelihood that the interviewer will recall you.
Proofread before submitting
Spelling and grammar errors give a candidate a bad impression. Before submitting any job applications, make sure to proofread your entire resume. Examine your job application for any adjustments. It may be as simple as rearranging your bulleted list of skills. Or, it may call for a complete redo of your entire resume to focus on more relevant experience.
Get a referral
If you are up against other candidates with similar qualifications, a referral can be the factor that sets you apart. You can ask a friend or acquaintance who works for the company if they are willing to recommend you for the position. Or, you can reach out to people in your professional network who may have connections there. LinkedIn can be a helpful tool for this. Make sure to send them a copy of your resume and a brief overview of why you are interested in the position.
Conclusion
Every profession comes with challenges and being an SEO professional requires a lot of time and dedication. You need to make sure that you are passionate about what you want. Ensure that you layer SEO within as many line items as possible. Dig deeper into the fascinating world of SEO by visiting our Blog pages to delve into a wealth of information about search engine optimization. And while you are there, why not head over to our Careers page? One click might change your life!