photo credit: DCvision2006
While I’m not actively looking for a new job right now, I subscribe to several “help wanted” feeds in the search marketing industry because I want to stay informed on the current job market. The more I read, the more I realize that many employers have no idea what to expect out of an SEO.
Granted, SEOs and internet marketers are a diverse bunch. Some of us start with a technical background in programming or web design. Some of us have a business degree or a marketing degree. Some, like myself, were once journalists or copywriters. And some of us aren’t even old enough to drink, much less have a degree or an employment history.
But while each of us brings a unique perspective to the art and science of search engine marketing, how many of us can claim to have ALL of the following skills? I’ll break this down personally so you can see how I measure up.
Skills I (Arguably) Possess
- A good understanding of SEO/SEM
- A good understanding of pay-per-click management
- Implementation and use of website traffic/log analysis tools
- 2+ years of experience with HTML and HTML authoring tools
- Experience with CSS and template management
- 2+ years of experience with image creation and editing tools
Skills I Probably Don’t Have
- Excellent organizational skills (I’m OK.)
- Excellent verbal (why not?), written (yes) and interpersonal (*cough cough*) skills
- Minimum of 3 years experience in IT (got root?)
Skills I Definitely Don’t Have
- 1-2 years experience with JavaScript (no, unless “copy, paste, cheer when it works” is “experience”)
- Basic knowledge of relational database programming in an SQL server environment (makes my head hurt)
- Knowledge of full software product life cycle development (do what now?)
Believe it or not, all of these required skills came from a single “help wanted” ad.
Now, I’m sure there are a handful of ubermensch out there who meet every one of these requirements. But what are the odds that these superhuman SEOs want to work in BFE, Texas, for $45,000 a year?
Another “help wanted” ad demanded “7+ years of experience.” Dude. Rand Fishkin didn’t start until 2002. Seriously, how many people have been optimizing websites for a full 7 years?
And if you have been optimizing sites for 7 years, do you really need to be “proficient with Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer?” I can’t remember the last time I even opened Microsoft Word.
Am I wrong?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Agreed, I have seen some ridiculous search job descriptions. Some folks have no clue how in demand the field is and the actual salary needed to land a veteran SEO expert.
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Oh my, you are so right. The problem is the same in other niches too and even when it comes to other jobs altogether. So many people would like you to have 1000 years of experience, maybe know what 200 people would know if combined, be able to work for 48 hours a day and preferably for a measly wage, that would be perfect for them
I’d be really interested to find out what sort of employee these companies finally end up with. I wonder how many of them give up and take a less qualified employee or outsource to an agency or consultant.
You know, I’m not even sure I would want this job even if I was qualified. The expectations of this company are so high that the best of the best wouldn’t be able to live up to them. Besides, if you were the best of the best, why the heck would you even be considering employment?
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Good points, B. A lot of people say, “If you’re such a good search marketer, why wouldn’t you just work on your own sites?” For now, I like the security of having a day job, but I’m definitely looking into starting my own online business(es).
I would recommend thinking about this. It;s 1 year since I started my small web design firm and it’s great. I still have my daily radio DJ job, but my main focus now is my firm
I think the kind of company is with small scale. They require employees to have the skills in internet marketing, in web programming and also in management. In many job postings, it writes 5 years experience. But sometimes recruiters may hire an employee only with 2 years work experience in the related field. It really depends.
To be honest, I would formulate the same sort of announcement, with a fine print : “not all skills required, but make sure you would hire yourself for this job”.
The problem is that there’s too many technologies out there, and a sucessful business may need to employ them all at a certain point in time; then, at the peak moment, they feel the acute need of an expert. But why do they want to hire an expert to work most of the time with 2 or 3 technologies only, I can’t understand yet.
You are so right, definitely true. And as Sam Kinison said in Back to School, “I like the way you think. I’m gonna be watching you!”
My friend, I’ve worked at a fortune 500 IT shop which used to post job ads like this (not in SEO, but other IT work). Let me tell you, some of the contractors who ended up being hired for these positions positions made me scratch my head and ponder how in the world they got the job.
Some people out there really dress up their resume and know how to BS their way in the door. I have a lot of very good skills and years of experience in my profession, and I still get intimidated by the crazy qualifications employers are asking for!