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SEO Specialist job description template

If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.

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Free job description below
Median pay
$67,388per year, about $32 an hour
Range$34,500 to $90,000 a year
Hourly$17 to $43 an hour
Also calledSocial Media Coordinator, Digital Marketing Manager, Content Marketing Officer
DepartmentAdvertising, Arts, and Media
The role

What is a SEO Specialist?

A Search Engine Optimization, better known as an SEO Specialist, is someone who maximizes website traffic by implementing strategies within search engines to improve page ranking.

They are also in charge of analyzing and reviewing metrics for websites they are working on optimizing.

What to screen for

The top SEO Specialist skills.

Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.

SkillWhy it matters
Critical ThinkingIt is important for an SEO to look at data and understand what happened, why it happened, and what can be done about it. These are basic measurements that require problem-solving skills as well as analytical skills. Being capable of identifying causation and correlations is the key to being a great SEO Specialist.
Speaking and WritingDoing your own keyword research is part of the job. When writing articles for websites, you should know what keywords to use in order to optimize trafficking. This is why SEO Specialists should have good speaking and writing skills, you need to present your ideas, understand how to write them, and how to implement them into your strategy.
Analytical SkillsKnowing how to use Adobe and Google Analytics can save you a lot of time. You should have a good understanding of KPIs to have a good SEO strategy. It is good to be Google or Adobe certified, this gives you greatly in-depth knowledge and assures your clients you know what you are doing.
BudgetingSearch optimization engines require a well-planned budget to reach your client’s goals. Knowing how much money to put on certain web pages and understanding how SEO budgeting works is crucial.
Time ManagementSome SEO Specialists work as freelancers, so you will have multiple clients. It is your job to make sure each client gets the same amount of attention. That’s why having a clear and well-planned working schedule is good to have in this line of work.
Free template

The job description, ready to post.

Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.

SEO SpecialistAdvertising, Arts, and Media · Free to use and edit

We are searching for someone to join our team as an SEO Specialist. The duties and responsibilities for this position are: optimizing content, collecting and analyzing data, managing campaign expenses, and identifying new trends. We are looking for a creative, critical thinker who understands the importance of generating more page traffic.

To be successful in this position, you should always be on top of new trends and innovations. As an SEO specialist, you should know all the technicalities for optimization and value quality content. If you have an outstanding ability to think creatively and strategically and have previous work experience in a similar field, then this job might be the right fit for you!

Duties and responsibilities

  • Research keywords and implement SEO recommendations
  • Perform keyword optimization and discovery
  • Read KPIs and create progress reports
  • Create and optimize budgets
  • Identify new trends and analyze data while achieving maximum ROI
  • Track and monitor reports with website analytics
  • Research and identify competitors
  • Create clear strategies and implement link building
  • Recommend changes and improvements in websites and content as well as linking techniques

Requirements

  • Bachelor degree in business, marketing, or similar area of study
  • Prior experience in marketing or SEO
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Knowledge of Google Ads and Google Analytics
  • Ability to think creatively and strategically
  • Proficiency in reading metrics
  • Strong analytical and time management skills
Add your pay range, benefits, and location before you post. Postings with a stated range get significantly more finished applications than the ones that leave it out.

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Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.

Education

Degree first, then the certification.

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, or Related Field

Foundational knowledge in marketing principles and digital communications provides a strong basis for understanding SEO concepts and strategies.

SEO Certification or Training Courses

Specialized training or certification demonstrates proficiency in SEO techniques, tools, and best practices, ensuring the specialist is equipped to optimize websites effectively.

Strong Understanding of Search Engine Algorithms

A deep understanding of search engine algorithms enables the specialist to optimize content strategically, stay updated on changes, and adapt strategies to improve website visibility and rankings.

SEO

SEO Certification

Demonstrates proficiency in SEO techniques and best practices.

HubSpot
Treat these as a signal, not a requirement. Plenty of strong candidates come up through experience without one.
After the applications land

Sample interview questions for a SEO Specialist.

Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.

Personal
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What is your five-year plan?
  • Why did you leave your last job?
Human Resources
  • Are you a team player?
  • How would you approach an issue with a colleague?
Management
  • How do you manage your workday?
  • How would you describe your approach to keyword research?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  • How would you optimize a website?
  • How do you measure success?
  • What SEO tools do you use?
Score answers with AvaHR scorecards
Pay

How much to pay when hiring.

Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.

10th percentile$34,500
25th percentile$53,000
Median$67,388
75th percentile$75,000
90th percentile$90,000

Hourly equivalents run from $17 at the 10th percentile to $43 at the 90th.

Related job titles

Candidates may apply under a different name.

Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.

Same work, different title

Three titles, one description.

Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.

Browse every title

Social Media Coordinator

A Social Media Coordinator is a key team member responsible for managing an organization's online presence across various social media platforms.

$48,902 median

Digital Marketing Manager

$87,719 median

Content Marketing Officer

Questions

Frequently asked questions.

What is the role of an SEO Specialist?

An SEO Specialist is responsible for optimizing website content, improving search engine rankings, and increasing organic traffic through strategic keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building.

What qualifications should an ideal SEO Specialist possess?

An ideal SEO Specialist should have a bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field, along with SEO certification or training courses.

Additionally, they should possess a strong understanding of search engine algorithms and analytical skills.

What tools and technologies should an SEO Specialist be familiar with?

An SEO Specialist should be proficient in using various SEO tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, Moz, and Ahrefs.

They should also have experience with content management systems like WordPress and knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

How can an SEO Specialist contribute to business growth?

An SEO Specialist can contribute to business growth by increasing website visibility, driving qualified traffic, and improving conversion rates.

By optimizing content and implementing SEO strategies, they help businesses reach their target audience, enhance brand awareness, and generate leads.

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