SEO Resume Example

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of search engine optimization (SEO), a well-written resume is essential to getting the job you want. But what should an SEO resume look like, and how can you ensure yours stands out from the rest?

Here are three tips on writing a standout SEO resume that’ll get you hired:

1. Showcase your relevant SEO skills

Employers need to see both your hard and soft skills on your SEO resume. Hard skills are the technical abilities you need to excel at an SEO job, like keyword research and link building. Meanwhile, soft skills are the interpersonal qualities that make you a good team member, such as problem-solving and communication skills.

Your hard skills are the most important skills on your resume for most employers. They want to see that you can perform the essential duties of an SEO professional. However, don’t underestimate the value of soft skills. Employers prefer candidates who can work well with others and handle difficult situations.

Put hard and soft skills like these on your SEO resume to show hiring managers what kind of team member you’ll be:

• Analytics
• Attention to detail
• Advanced spreadsheet skills
• Organizational skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Creativity
• Graphic design skills
• Leadership skills
• Research skills
• HTML and CSS
• SEO tools: Ahrefs, Google Search Console (GSC), Rank Math

Don’t just list your skills in your resume’s skills section, though. Instead, use specific examples to illustrate your SEO abilities. For instance, you could explain how you increased website traffic by improving its search engine ranking in your resume’s work experience section.

2. Target a specific SEO job description

When you apply for an SEO job, tailor your resume to the specific position you’re interested in. Carefully read the job description and identify the key skills and experience the employer is looking for. Then, customize your resume to highlight your most relevant skills and accomplishments.

For example, if the job description emphasizes the importance of analytics, include information about your experience with data-driven decision making and describe your Google Analytics expertise.

All of your SEO resume’s sections should target the job ad, but tailoring your resume introduction is critical. The introduction is the first part of your resume that employers read, so make sure it showcases exactly the SEO skills and experience they’re looking for.

Here’s an example of a resume introduction written to target a specific SEO job description:

3. Use professional formatting for your SEO resume

SEO resumes should be clear, concise, and formatted in an easily scannable way. Ensure your SEO resume formatting is clean and easy to read.

Resumes that are crammed with information and difficult to navigate risk being rejected. Stick to a simple layout and use an easy-to-read resume font (like Helvetica or Georgia).

Here are some more quick tips on how to format your SEO resume:

• Set your font between 10 and 12 points
• Use your word processor’s default margins (but if the page appears too empty or too packed, adjust your resume’s margins between 1/2″ and 1″)
• Use bullet points to highlight your key skills and achievements in your SEO resume’s work experience section
• Use a modern, professional resume design with each resume section clearly labeled by a header
• Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting