8 SEO Hiring Managers Share Their #1 Interview Question

Introduction

Preparing for an SEO job interview can be daunting, especially when you're unsure what questions to expect. To help you get ready, we've reached out to eight top SEO hiring managers from various backgrounds - including agency, in-house, and enterprise businesses - to share their most crucial interview question. Let's dive into what these industry leaders are looking for in potential candidates.

1. Analyzing Competitor Strategies

"How would you analyze a competitor's new SEO strategy, and when would you consider implementing something similar?"

This question tests a candidate's ability to conduct competitive analysis and make strategic decisions. A strong answer would include mentions of tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and PageSpeed Insights, as well as considerations for the appropriateness of the strategy for the company's customer base.

2. Managing Expectations for Quick Results

"How would you handle a situation where someone in leadership wants immediate SEO results?"

This question assesses a candidate's ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and manage expectations. A good response would emphasize the long-term nature of SEO while suggesting short-term actions and alternative strategies to meet immediate needs.

3. Creative Thinking in Content Creation

"If you could create any page on your current website, what would you create?"

This open-ended question allows candidates to showcase their creativity and strategic thinking. It's an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of content gaps, user intent, and potential high-impact pages.

4. Staying Current with Industry Updates

"What do you think the most significant Google update has been in the past two years, and why?"

This question tests a candidate's industry knowledge and ability to critically evaluate algorithm changes. A strong answer would discuss recent updates like the Helpful Content Update and explain their impact on SEO strategies.

5. Understanding SEO Testing

"How would you perform SEO testing, and why is it so important?"

This question assesses a candidate's practical skills and understanding of SEO experimentation. A good answer would explain the importance of testing in refining strategies and finding the best approach for each unique situation.

6. Prioritizing SEO Tasks

"How do you prioritize which SEO work should be completed first?"

This question reveals a candidate's project management skills and SEO knowledge. A comprehensive answer would discuss balancing high-impact, low-resource tasks with foundational work that prevents future issues.

7. Strategic Thinking in SEO

"What should be the main priority for brands investing in SEO today, and why?"

This broad question allows candidates to demonstrate their strategic thinking and ability to adapt strategies to different industries. A strong answer would provide a well-reasoned priority and explain how it might vary for different types of brands.

8. Understanding Emerging Trends

"What do you think the impact of AI Overviews will be on SEO as a channel?"

This forward-looking question tests a candidate's ability to analyze emerging trends and their potential impact on SEO. A good response would discuss the current state of AI Overviews and speculate on their future influence on search behavior and SEO strategies.

Conclusion

These questions from top SEO hiring managers offer valuable insights into what employers are looking for in SEO professionals. By preparing thoughtful answers to these types of questions, you'll be better equipped to showcase your knowledge, skills, and strategic thinking in your next SEO job interview. Remember, the key is not just to demonstrate your technical expertise, but also your ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of search engine optimization.