Here's how you can market yourself and your skills in the Search Engine Optimization industry after a layoff.

Marketing yourself and your skills in the SEO industry after a layoff requires a proactive and strategic approach: Update Your Online Presence: LinkedIn: Refresh your profile with recent achievements, projects, and skills. Highlight any successful campaigns or measurable results. Personal Website/Blog: If you don't have one, create a personal website or blog showcasing your expertise. Publish articles on SEO trends, case studies, and insights. Network Actively: Reconnect: Reach out to former colleagues, clients, and industry contacts to let them know you're available. Join SEO Communities: Participate in forums, groups, and social media communities related to SEO. Share your knowledge and engage with others.

Tailor your resume to highlight your expertise in SEO. Include specific achievements such as successful campaigns, improvements in search rankings, and increases in organic traffic. Use relevant keywords and phrases to ensure your resume stands out to both recruiters and automated screening systems. A well-optimized resume not only showcases your skills but also demonstrates your proficiency in SEO principles.

Tailor your resume to each position, emphasizing relevant SEO accomplishments & results you achieved at your previous job. Quantify your achievements with metrics like traffic growth, keyword ranking improvements or conversion rate increases. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date & showcases your SEO expertise. Use relevant keywords in your headline & summary & include links to your portfolio or case studies if possible. Reach out to former co-workers, managers or clients who might know of potential job openings. When discussing the layoff in interviews, focus on the opportunity it presents for you to explore new challenges & growth. A positive & enthusiastic demeanor is key during your job search.

One thing I’ve found helpful is treating your resume like an SEO project. Just like optimizing a webpage, you should include relevant keywords that hiring managers are searching for. Highlight specific achievements, such as “boosted organic traffic by 750%,” to demonstrate your impact. Only if you actually achieved them. Using tools like Grammarly and LinkedIn’s resume assistant can help refine your resume to make it compelling and professional.

Optimizing my resume helps me pass through Applicant Tracking Systems, highlights my relevant SEO skills, makes a professional impression, allows me to tailor my experience to specific job roles, and directly demonstrates my expertise in SEO to potential employers.

After a layoff, you can create a series of SEO videos to showcase your expertise. If at your previous job, you are working on a certain niche, then work deep on that to get yourself known.

Update Your Profile: Refresh your resume and LinkedIn with SEO achievements. Build a Website: Showcase your work and publish SEO insights. Network: Engage in SEO forums, LinkedIn groups, and attend industry events. Share Knowledge: Write articles, guest posts, and speak at webinars. Keep Learning: Stay current with SEO certifications and courses.

Connect with other professionals in the industry It is super important. Attend SEO/marketing meetups, conferences, and webinars. Networking can open up freelance opportunities and even job offers for you

Reach out to industry contacts and join SEO-related groups on platforms like LinkedIn. Attend webinars, conferences, and local meetups to connect with professionals in your field. Networking can lead to job opportunities and provide valuable insights into current industry trends. Engaging with the community helps keep you visible and can open doors to new career opportunities.

Networking is crucial in the SEO industry. Reconnect with former colleagues on LinkedIn, attend SEO conferences, and join relevant industry groups. Engaging with online communities can open doors to new job opportunities and collaborations. I’ve found LinkedIn groups and Meetup.com invaluable for making connections and staying updated on industry trends.

Stay current with the latest SEO trends and tools by taking online courses and earning certifications. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on advanced SEO techniques, analytics, and digital marketing strategies. Continuously updating your skills not only makes you more marketable but also shows potential employers your commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry.

Keeping your skills current is essential in the ever-evolving world of SEO. Online courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning are great for this. Staying updated with the latest tools and technologies not only enhances your skill set but also shows potential employers that you’re committed to professional growth. Continuous learning is a key part of staying competitive.

Starting a blog can significantly boost your visibility and showcase your expertise. Platforms like WordPress and Medium are perfect for sharing your insights, case studies, and opinions on industry developments. Blogging helps you stay engaged with current trends and improves your own SEO skills as you apply best practices to your content.

Freelancing is a fantastic way to keep busy and gain new experiences. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer can connect you with clients seeking SEO expertise. Freelancing fills gaps in your resume, provides fresh professional references, and expands your network. It’s also a great way to work on a variety of projects, which can lead to more permanent opportunities.

Work on your personal brand. Being visible within the SEO community is helpful if you can offer a unique voice. If you’re not feeling confident about contributing to the general or technical elements, there are plenty of other ways to offer a voice. Speaking about your lack of confidence alone might be enough to gather a following and begin to build a name for yourself and in turn, a network. Be authentic (relatable) and join the conversation.