As someone who runs an SEO agency and hires SEO specialists regularly, let me be blunt, it’s tough out there.
Every week, I see resumes that check every SEO box on paper: keyword research, technical SEO, content optimisation, you name it. They’ve got the SEO certification, know the latest SEO tools, and can recite search engine algorithms like scripture.
But when it’s time to execute? Crickets. Rankings don’t budge. Traffic’s flat. And suddenly the “SEO expert” can’t explain why.
I’ve seen firsthand how misleading the typical SEO specialist job description can be. It’s easy to sound like an SEO professional, it’s a whole other thing to be one. The SEO industry is filled with noise, and if you’re not careful, you’ll hire someone who knows how to impress on LinkedIn but has never actually moved a needle in Google search results.
And if you’re a business owner or marketing lead trying to hire an SEO, I get it, decoding the difference between a real SEO consultant and a keyword-stuffing amateur is exhausting.
#1 Know What You’re Really Hiring For
Before you even think about searching for the “best SEO expert,” pause and ask: What do we actually want SEO to do for our business?
Sounds obvious, but this is where 90% of people mess it up.
You’re not just hiring someone to “rank on Google.” You’re hiring someone to drive qualified traffic that converts. Big difference.
And depending on your business, the type of SEO specialist you need could look totally different:
- Running an e-commerce store? You’ll need someone who eats technical ecommerce SEO and structured data for breakfast.
- Local business? Look for someone who knows local SEO inside out, Google Business Profiles, citations, the works.
- Content-heavy site? Find a content-driven SEO consultant who lives and breathes keyword intent, internal linking, and on-page SEO.
This is where a clear SEO specialist job description matters. Don’t just copy and paste one from the internet. Craft it around your actual goals, industry, and what success looks like for your brand.
Because if your job description is generic, guess what kind of SEO candidates you’ll attract? Yep, generic ones.
Bottom line: The clearer you are on the outcome, the easier it’ll be to spot someone who actually knows how to deliver it.
#2 Spot the Red Flags Before They Burn Your Budget
Once you know what kind of SEO specialist you need, the next step is sniffing out the BS because let’s be honest, the SEO world is full of it.
Here’s what to avoid when reviewing SEO resumes, consultants, or agencies:
- They promise #1 rankings. No one controls the search engine algorithms. If they’re guaranteeing search engine ranking results, run.
- They focus on vanity metrics. If their pitch is all about “traffic growth” without tying it to conversions, bounce rates, or user experience, that’s a red flag. Effective SEO isn’t about more visits, it’s about better visits.
- They can’t explain what they do. A real SEO expert can break down complex technical SEO into simple language. If they hide behind jargon like “link juice” or overhype tools instead of strategy, they don’t know their craft.
- They rely on outdated tactics. Ask about their approach to modern SEO best practices. If they’re still keyword-stuffing or buying links, you’re hiring a digital marketing liability.
The wrong SEO specialist can do more damage than good, burning through budget, tanking your search engine rankings, and leaving you buried in the SERPs.
So if someone sounds like they’re auditioning for an “SEO guru” TikTok account instead of explaining how they’ll optimise your SEO strategy, keep looking.
#3 Look for Action, Not Acronyms
Now let’s flip the script, what does a great SEO hire actually look like?
Whether you’re hiring a freelance SEO consultant, a full-time SEO manager, or just need someone to run an SEO audit, here’s what to look for:
- Strategic thinking over tool obsession. Anyone can list 12 SEO software tools in their resume. But can they tell you when and why to use them? That’s what separates an SEO analyst from an actual strategist.
- Custom solutions, not cookie-cutter tactics. A successful SEO doesn’t recycle the same approach across every client. They study your business, industry, and competitors, and build SEO campaigns that actually fit.
- Clear communication skills. SEO lives at the intersection of content, development, and digital marketing. If your SEO specialist can’t talk to writers, devs, and execs in plain English, good luck getting anything implemented.
- Proof of execution. Look for specific examples of past SEO projects: Did they grow organic search traffic? Improve search engine rankings? Reduce bounce rate? Ask for results tied to real business outcomes, not just screenshots of Google Analytics graphs.
Also, certifications like an SEO certification or SEO training course can be helpful, but they’re not everything. Anyone can become an SEO on paper. You want someone who’s done the hard work, made mistakes, and learned from them.
Because SEO success comes from depth, not just knowledge of SEO fundamentals, but the ability to adapt those fundamentals to real-world, ever-changing digital marketing challenges.
Need Help Finding the Right SEO Specialist?
We’ll help you hire smarter, whether it’s for a full-time SEO job, a freelance SEO consultant, or a custom search engine optimisation plan.
#4 Ask Smarter Questions Before You Hire an SEO
Most companies interview SEO specialists like they’re hiring a magician. “Can you make us rank #1?” is not the question. It’s the problem.
Here’s how to actually vet a real SEO expert, whether you’re hiring in-house, working with an SEO consultant, or bringing in SEO services from an agency.
Ask questions like:
- “Walk me through a campaign you led, what was the goal, and what happened?”
You’re testing not just results, but their ability to think strategically and adapt to challenges in real-time. Look for clarity, not fluff. - “How do you approach technical SEO vs. content SEO?”
A successful SEO knows how to balance both. Technical skills get you indexed. Content and keyword strategy get you clicked. - “What’s your SEO philosophy?”
Sounds cheesy, but this reveals whether they follow sustainable, ethical SEO practices or are chasing shortcuts that could get your site penalised. - “How do you measure success?”
If they say “rankings,” probe deeper. What about conversions? Bounce rate? Search engine results page (SERP) visibility? An effective SEO pro speaks in business outcomes, not just keyword positions. - “How do you stay current?”
The SEO industry moves fast. Ask about their sources: Google Search Central, SEO blogs, algorithm changelogs. If they mention TikTok SEO “gurus,” hard pass.
Smart questions help you go beyond the job description and see if this person actually understands the modern SEO landscape, or if they’re just reciting lines from an SEO training course.
#5 Choose the Right Setup: In-House, Consultant, or Agency
Here’s another place businesses get tripped up: they think they have to hire a full-time SEO specialist.
Wrong.
There’s no one-size-fits-all SEO job. The right setup depends on your budget, business stage, and how critical search engine optimization is to your marketing strategy.
In-House SEO Specialist Job
- Great if you need ongoing SEO work across multiple departments.
- Best for content-heavy or large e-commerce sites.
- You’ll need to write a clear, focused SEO specialist job description, or risk hiring someone who sounds good but can’t execute.
Freelance SEO Consultant
- Perfect for short-term projects, audits, or strategy overhauls.
- Usually more experienced than junior hires, with broad SEO knowledge and skills across different industries.
- Often the most flexible option if you’re not ready to commit to a full-time role.
SEO Agency or SEO Services Provider
- Good if you want a plug-and-play team with experience across the entire digital marketing stack.
- Can handle everything from keyword research to off-page SEO to content marketing.
- But watch for bloated retainers and templated strategies, make sure they tailor their SEO techniques to your brand.
Each option has pros and cons. The goal is to hire an SEO that fits your actual needs, not what the latest blog says you should do.
#6 Test Before You Commit Long-Term
Here’s the final tip that’ll save you thousands: Don’t marry your SEO hire after one date.
Before you sign a long-term contract or commit to a full-time SEO job offer, test their skills.
- Start with a paid SEO audit. See how they approach your current setup, from technical SEO to content gaps to search console issues.
- Give them a trial project: maybe a landing page to optimise, or a mini keyword research assignment.
- Evaluate how they communicate insights, do they speak in acronyms, or translate SEO into plain English tied to your business?
This isn’t about being skeptical. It’s about protecting your time, budget, and brand.
The SEO specialist role is too important to gamble on. One wrong hire can tank your search engine rankings, stall your SEO marketing, and leave you cleaning up the mess months later.
Test first. Hire second. That’s how you find someone who doesn’t just talk SEO, but lives it.
#7 Start Small and Let Results Speak
Hiring the right SEO specialist isn’t just about interviews and resumes. It’s about how they think, how they work, and what kind of results they can actually deliver.
That’s why your best move is to start small.
Give them a limited-scope SEO job that aligns with your goals, like a technical SEO audit, keyword research project, or optimising one high-value page for search ranking. See how they:
- Interpret your search console data
- Use Google Search Console and analytics to find opportunities
- Handle on-page SEO and technical SEO issues
- Balance content marketing with real-world business needs
This hands-on trial will give you more insight than any portfolio or SEO certification ever could.
Because let’s be honest, anyone can become an SEO specialist on paper. The ones worth hiring are those who can improve SEO in the wild, not just in theory.
#8 Use This SEO Hiring Checklist Before You Sign Anything
Ready to move forward with someone? Run them through this final sanity check:
- Do they understand your industry, not just SEO trends?
- Can they explain their process clearly, without jargon?
- Do they prioritise business outcomes, not just rankings?
- Have they shown proof they can execute on their SEO strategies?
- Do they align with your team and communication style?
If they pass that test, you’re not just hiring an SEO expert, you’re gaining a strategic partner who can help you grow through search engine optimization that’s actually effective.
Contact a Real SEO Specialist.
Finding the right SEO specialist doesn’t have to feel like gambling with your marketing budget.
You just need someone who gets it, someone who knows how to turn technical SEO, keyword strategy, and digital marketing into measurable business results.
That’s where we come in.
At SEOBoost, we don’t just check boxes on a job description. We bring years of experience across SEO consulting, SEO marketing, and full-scale SEO campaigns. Whether you’re looking for a short-term SEO strategist or long-term SEO services, we’re ready to help you climb the search engine results page, with clarity and confidence.
Ready to stop guessing and start ranking? Contact us today and let’s talk about how we can improve your search engine performance, without the fluff.
