Working as an SEO specialist is one of the best career paths that you could take in today’s technology-driven world. As more and more businesses are embracing the modern approach of offering their products and services online, the demand for skilled individuals who can help strengthen their digital presence is also growing. When you look up “SEO job opportunities” on the web, you will see that there are already a huge number of companies hiring and offering attractive salary packages for SEO specialists.
Another good thing about this line of work is that you will not be limited by your local job market. Yes, you will be opening yourself up to career opportunities that would not have access to otherwise. Try searching for an updated list of remote SEO job opportunities on Google, and you will find out that there are companies offering remote positions regardless of what city or country you are based in.
Careers in SEO: An Outlook
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track SEO career outlook, in particular, they do so for marketing managers. Technically, this offers an idea of the overall growth of SEO careers as well.
According to a recent report by the BLS, the job outlook for marketing managers indicates a 6% growth by 2029, with companies offering a median pay of about $141,490 per year. This means that the outlook for SEO positions is also growing, as roles in digital marketing are becoming more in-demand.
These numbers just show how fulfilling a career in SEO will be. So, do you have what it takes to land a job as an SEO specialist?
What Is an SEO Specialist
Generally speaking, an SEO specialist performs website analysis, conducts competitor research, and implements SEO strategies to help a site rank high on the search engine results pages (SERPs). They articulate the best courses of action to boost the digital marketing efforts for the site.
SEO Specialist Job Description
An SEO specialist improves a site’s rankings on major search engines by using optimization strategies designed to boost traffic, improve user experience, generate leads, and eventually grow sales for a business.
As search engine algorithms and SEO trends are constantly evolving, your role as an SEO specialist is also ever-changing. You need to be adept enough to think on your feet and stay up to speed with the changes.
You would also be working closely with the other members of the marketing team to update initiatives or create new ones to ensure a website achieves or maintains good rankings on the SERPs.
SEO Specialist Technical Skill Requirements
To succeed in a career as an SEO specialist, there are a few technical skills that you need to have and master.
On and off-page SEO
You should know how to optimize a website from within to improve its performance on Google and other search engines. For example, you could put forward some recommendations to improve the site’s navigation and boost user experience. Or, you could determine some relevant keywords that attract the right type of customers to the site.
On the other hand, you should also have a good grasp of using techniques based on factors outside of the website. For example, you could create an outreach plan to attract more backlinks.
Keyword research and analysis
Keyword research and analysis is an important skill in building a solid SEO strategy for a website. With that said, you should have a good understanding of tools, such as Google Keyword Planner, KeywordTool, Moz Keyword Explorer, Google Trends, and SEMRush among others.
The pieces of information that you collect by using these tools will be fundamental in making actionable recommendations in improving a site’s marketing strategy.
Data analysis
SEO is a profession that is mostly driven by data, so you need to have in-depth knowledge of using data analysis tools, such as Google Analytics. This skill allows you to make informed decisions about the SEO and content strategies to be used on a website.
Content strategy
“Content is King”, as Bill Gates once wrote, and it still is until today. Given the importance of content in any digital marketing effort, you should also have the skills to strategize for creating high-quality, SEO-friendly content for a specific target audience based on SEO best practices.
Basic web programming knowledge
While heavy computer programming is not a prerequisite for an SEO specialist, it would be an advantage to have basic knowledge of HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaSript (JS). Not only that knowing these common programming languages make problem-solving a lot easier, but it also places you on top of other candidates vying for the same position as you.
Aside from these technical skills, you also need to have soft skills to thrive as an SEO specialist. For example, you should have the willingness and ability to learn quickly about new things in the industry to keep yourself up to speed. Unexpected issues may arise, so you should also have good problem-solving skills. Of course, you should be a team player to be able to properly share your ideas and strategies with other members of the marketing team.
Other SEO Jobs That You Can Apply For
Aside from being an SEO specialist, there are also other SEO careers that will provide you with a fulfilling work experience. During your search, you might also find the following roles suitable for your qualifications.
- Content writer
- Content marketer
- Link building specialist
- Social media marketer
- SEO analyst
- Outreach executive
- SEO project manager
- Digital marketing manager
- SEO manager
Based on your experience, knowledge, and skills, you can apply for one of these positions. But as SEO is a field with multiple areas of expertise, you can always learn to grow and improve for a higher-level position that you are more interested in.
Where to Find Remote SEO Jobs
Now that you know the available SEO job opportunities today, it is time to know where to look for them. As you will be searching for remote work, it is best to focus your search on platforms that specialize in such, like Upwork and FlexJobs. All offers on these sites would be vetted by the administrators, so you can assure yourself that they are legitimate.
However, you can always widen your search by registering with business and employment-oriented networks, such as LinkedIn, where you can make connections with other professionals in the industry and seek out referrals. Of course, you can also visit the SEO companies’ websites themselves and check their “careers” or “work for/with us” pages. This puts you in direct communication with the company and allows you to negotiate offers a lot easier.
Takeaway
While many SEO job opportunities are conducive to a rewarding career, it is still important to remember that there are also scams, especially when it comes to home-based work offers. However, this should not discourage you from pursuing a career, which does not only offer you a highly flexible work schedule but also pays well.
Observing due diligence when searching and assessing job offers, as well as doing proper research, will go a long way in landing a legitimate remote SEO job that you will love.
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