How to Get SEO Job With No Experience: Part One

I finished Seth Hymes’ Digital Marketing Blueprint course in March 2024.  It was the first step towards transitioning into the world of digital marketing.  

Luckily, I was able to get a part-time gig soon after I finished the course.  Even better, it was in SEO.  That’s the field I wanted to get into.  Nothing against PPC, but SEO just speaks to me a bit more.

With the initial success of landing a gig so quickly, I thought that it would be easy to find other clients or get a job in SEO. 

Not quite.  

Looks like it was beginner’s luck.  I’ve applied to countless SEO jobs and gigs since, and have gotten nothing back except for a few emails that read something like “Unfortunately we are not able to move forward with you at this time.”  

I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t have some doubt about trying to transition into a new career at age 36.  Should I go the PPC route instead? Am I entering a dying industry?  Will AI make my skillset obsolete within a few years?

Even though I have my doubts.  I’m not discouraged.  I feel fortunate that I was able to land a gig where I’m able to get real-world SEO experience.  It’s a step in the right direction.  

Oh yes, and I am genuinely passionate about SEO.  That’s what really keeps me going

At the moment, I’m experiencing a situation that so many SEOs have been in before.  Or really anyone transitioning into a new career.  The experience paradox.  You can’t get a job without experience but can’t get experience without a job.  

So how do I plan on overcoming the experience paradox…

Keep learning.  Seth’s course taught me the fundamentals of SEO and much more.  The SEO audit project we had to complete in the course is what landed me my current part-time gig.  My current gig has taught me even more than the course.  My side projects are sending me deeper down SEO rabbit holes.

Side projects.  I’ve created this site as a way to document my journey in SEO while also building something I can show potential employers.  I plan to build out a niche affiliate site as well.  

Resume.  My resume could use tweaking.  I don’t want it to look like a boring old resume simply listing skills and using generic buzzwords and cliches.  Most of the jobs I see on LinkedIn get over 100 applicants.  I have to find a way to stand out. 

Apply to More Gigs & Jobs:  A lot of success is just a numbers game.  I’ll just keep applying to more gigs and jobs.  

Network:  A wise man once told me “Your network is your net worth.”  Another wise man once told me “It’s not what you know but who you know.”  Here’s what I know, I need to build a bigger network.

That’s my plan for now.  If you’re in the same boat Good Luck and Godspeed.  And make sure to reach out.