The Realities of SEO Hiring: A Story from the Trenches

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, the role of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) experts is more critical than ever. Companies constantly seek ways to enhance their online presence and drive organic traffic. Here’s a short story that sheds light on the sometimes harsh realities of SEO hiring and management.

Management's Bold Move: Seeking External Expertise

In a bid to stay ahead of the competition, the management of a company decided to audit their website. The goal was to identify areas for improvement and devise strategies for future growth. They believed that an external perspective would provide invaluable insights.

Management said, "Let’s get our website audited by other SEO experts to know how we are doing and what strategies can help us grow better in the future."

The SEO team responded, "SEO audits from experts will cost us around five to ten thousand dollars."

Management approved the expenditure.

The Indian SEO Challenge: An Unconventional Hiring Process

Management decided to open vacancies for senior SEO positions in India to enhance their SEO efforts further. However, they devised a rigorous assignment-based selection process instead of conducting traditional interviews.

Management instructed SEOs in India to open a vacancy for SEOs in senior positions and give them the following assignments:

Task one: Conduct a detailed technical website audit. List down all issues and suggest ways to fix them.

Task two: Provide a detailed content audit. Explain why the website dropped in HCU and provide recommendations for growth.

Task three: Develop a two-year SEO plan based on your analysis and outline the KPIs you will track to grow revenue for our brand.

The SEO team expressed concern, "But isn’t it a little too much?"

The Unveiling: HR's Role in the Selection Process

Despite the daunting tasks, several candidates rose to the challenge. The HR team collected the assignments and evaluated them meticulously.

The HR team reported, "Three candidates have submitted the assignment after spending about a week."

Management’s Final Decision: A Twist in the Tale

The management, impressed by the detailed and insightful assignments, decided to implement the suggestions provided by the candidates. However, there was an unexpected twist.

Management said, "Let’s implement all the suggestions."

The HR team delivered the news, "Unfortunately, your assignment wasn’t shortlisted. Thank you!"

Reflection: Lessons from the Experience

This story, based on true events shared by community members, highlights several critical points.

First, the value of external audits. Engaging external experts can provide fresh perspectives and innovative strategies.

Second, the importance of rigorous hiring processes. Detailed assignments can help identify truly capable candidates, but they must be balanced to avoid overburdening applicants.

Third, ethical considerations. Companies must ensure fairness and transparency in their hiring processes, especially when leveraging candidates' hard work and insights.

Conclusion

The world of SEO is challenging and competitive. While it's crucial to seek the best talent and insights, it’s equally important to uphold ethical standards and treat potential hires with respect. This story serves as a reminder to both management and HR teams to balance their strategies with fairness and integrity.