SEO professionals, how do you highlight your SEO skills on your resume?

Question

In a competitive digital landscape, mastering the art of showcasing SEO skills on a resume can be a game-changer. To uncover the secrets, insights from a founder and a Chief Technology Officer have been gathered. The discussion kicks off with strategies to quantify your SEO achievements and wraps up with the value of narrating SEO project stories, among nineteen powerful insights. Read on to transform your resume and stand out in the crowded job market.

Brandon Schroth · Answer

It is not enough to mention that you have SEO skills on your resume; it's crucial to substantiate your claim by quantifying the value your SEO skills can provide. First, give examples of measurable SEO results. Writing how you “boosted organic traffic by 120% within eight months” is more impressive than merely describing how you “worked as an SEO specialist at XYZ Company.”
Citing relevant certifications along with the SEO tools you are proficient in will also help establish credibility and knowledge depth. Adding phrases like, “Experienced in using SEMrush and Ahrefs to conduct comprehensive keyword research and competitive analysis” can also make your resume stand out to ATS that scan for these specific tool proficiencies.
Link-building skills are also highly valued within the industry, so demonstrate your link-building prowess by detailing successful campaigns and quantifying your success by citing the high domain rating and traffic of these referring domains and their impact on the domain authority or organic traffic of your or your client's site.
Lastly, demonstrate your on-page SEO skills by sharing how you optimized on-page elements of the websites you've worked on and quantifying your success in terms of reduced bounce rates, increased engagement, and other measurable KPIs.

Ryan BeMiller · Answer

I call out SEO two times in my professional summary, along with my other core skills and experiences. I highlight that I have experience managing large-scale SEO projects, and that I have SEO experience across a wide range of industries.
Next, I mention SEO in my skills/qualifications section, noting that I have SEO strategy and execution experience.
Then, throughout my employment experience timeline, I mention specific SEO projects I have managed and/or results I have achieved with SEO.

Ben Poulton · Answer

I think the best way to demonstrate your SEO skills is by linking to your own websites or case studies within your resume.
You can say you're proficient in technical or content work, but having a real, live example to back it up is a great way to stand out.
If you've been in the industry a while, you're likely to have much of this at your disposal too, so it's a quick value-add.
When I am interviewing candidates, I love seeing examples I can review.

Danny Watkinson · Answer

For me, the best way to highlight SEO skills on a resume is to dive into specific experience.
Qualifications and certificates may be useful for getting into entry-level positions, but the further you go into your career, experience is what most employers are looking for. Mention specific skills, programs, and problems that you overcame. These key phrases will stand out to any recruiter and show that you have clear working knowledge in the field. References to more modern developments, such as AI, will also show that you stay up-to-date on best practices and that your resume has been updated accordingly.

Iryna Hladka · Answer

As any other SEO professional who strives to enhance website visibility and drive organic traffic, I aim to prove and highlight my expertise to effectively showcase my skills on my résumés. Of course, I might simply use keywords like “black-hat techniques,” “meta-tag magic,” or “Google's secret handshake,” but seriously speaking, it's more important to showcase my skills in keyword research, on-page optimization, link-building, and technical SEO. And also it's crucial always to stay current with industry trends and best practices to deliver measurable results.

David Pagotto · Answer

If you're an SEO professional looking to highlight your skills on a resume, focus on a mix of technical abilities, tool expertise, and real results. Here's how you can do it:
Key SEO Skills: Include things like on-page optimization, keyword research, content strategy, link building, and technical SEO (site speed, mobile optimization, structured data, etc.).
Tools You Use: Mention the SEO tools you're familiar with, such as Google Analytics, Search Console, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, Screaming Frog, or even featured.com.
Results That Matter: Back up your experience with actual numbers. For example, "Increased organic traffic by 83% in six months" or "Cut site load time by 20%, leading to higher search rankings."
Industry-Specific Experience: If you've worked in a particular industry like e-commerce, healthcare, or local business SEO, explain how you tailored your strategies to meet those specific needs.
Technical SEO Expertise: Highlight your knowledge of things like schema markup, hreflang tags, fixing crawl errors—anything that shows you can handle the more technical side of SEO.
Project Leadership and Teamwork: If you've led SEO projects or worked closely with content teams, developers, or marketers, mention that to show you can collaborate and manage projects effectively.
Certifications and Training: List any certifications you've completed, like Google Analytics or HubSpot SEO courses, to show you're staying up-to-date with industry trends.
Content Strategy: If you've helped create or optimize content, talk about how that impacted visibility and rankings.
By focusing on these areas, you'll show both your technical expertise and your ability to drive results in SEO.

Thomas Niemczewski · Answer

I quantify my achievements wherever possible. Instead of simply stating that I improved website traffic, I specify the percentage increase or the number of organic leads generated under my guidance. This demonstrates my expertise and provides tangible evidence of my impact.
Additionally, I consider including case studies or specific projects that highlight successful SEO strategies I've implemented. I mention any certifications or ongoing education in SEO to show my commitment to staying current with industry trends.

Tayyab Akram · Answer

As an SEO professional, my SEO skills are highlighted in the Skills section of my resume, other than my experience area, where I explain my job description where I have worked as an SEO professional. But in every company, my SEO role and tasks are different according to their requirements and projects/clients.
So, as an SEO professional, I have created a section where I mention my SEO skills with the heading “Skills” that include:
1. Keyword Research2. Link Building3. Technical SEO4. Local SEO5. WordPress6. Google Search Console7. Technology Blog Writing
By adding this section, you can easily show your skills in detail to any company or interviewer, so they can easily understand your skill set in the SEO field and ask questions according to your SEO skills.

Agata Szczepanek · Answer

I'm a fan of using QR codes on application documents, especially in tech industries. A QR code is a small addition, but—if used thoughtfully and in a way that complements the rest of your resume—it is a creative way to position you as tech-savvy, showcase your expertise in a tangible, measurable way, and demonstrate your ability to integrate modern tech into marketing strategies. As QR codes have made a resurgence in recent years, especially with the rise of mobile-first experiences, including one on your resume reflects that you're thinking about how to connect offline efforts (like your resume) with online results—an essential aspect of modern SEO strategies. It also adds an interactive element, making your resume more memorable to hiring managers.
The key to success is to ensure the content linked through the QR code is tailored and relevant. Moreover, it works best when it links to something not easy to include in the document, like in-depth case studies of successful SEO campaigns, a visually appealing portfolio, a page on your website with before-and-after analytics screenshots highlighting website traffic growth, or testimonials from satisfied clients. Whatever you choose, remember that to get your message across, you need to be sure that your core skills and achievements are still clearly highlighted in text form, so you don't rely solely on the QR code.

Jack Genesin · Answer

It's important to re-order your listed skills in order of most relevant to the role you are applying for to least relevant. You should highlight your skills in a variety of ways. The essential component is to list (dot point) your specialties/skills—I find doing this underneath each of the previous roles you've had under your experience is the best place. Then, you can go into a little more detail about the issues faced at each role, and solutions you designed to overcome them. Keep these short and succinct. 
To go the extra mile, I would always recommend including a few case studies where you had a big impact on a client's SEO performance. These may not be a conventional part of a resume; however, SEO is a performance-based marketing channel and there is nothing more convincing than proving you can practically apply the skill set you're saying you have to generate real results for real clients.

Andreea Zorz · Answer

When highlighting your SEO skills on your résumé, focus on showing both what you know and what you've achieved. Start by listing the SEO tools you use, like Google Analytics, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. Mention key skills such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and content strategy.
One important way to stand out is by including a portfolio that showcases your past successes. Add a link to your portfolio and briefly describe a few projects where you improved search rankings, increased website traffic, or boosted sales. For example, you could say, "Increased organic traffic by 50% for an e-commerce site in six months" or, "Helped a blog reach the first page of Google for targeted keywords."
Using numbers to show your results makes your achievements clear and impressive. Employers want to see that you can deliver real results, so combining your skills with a strong portfolio will make your résumé much more attractive.

Dillon Loomis · Answer

Employers want to see more than just technical skills—they're looking for results. Focus on how your SEO strategies increased organic traffic, improved conversion rates, or led to higher sales. Whether it's growing a local business's leads or boosting an e-commerce site's revenue, showcase the measurable impact your efforts had.
Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for. If it's for a director-level role, emphasize team leadership, high-level strategy, and cost-saving measures. For specialist roles, highlight your hands-on work with keyword research, on-page optimizations, and technical audits that delivered tangible outcomes. Results matter more than just knowing the steps.

Luke Hickman · Answer

When showcasing your SEO skills on a CV, it's crucial to demonstrate your expertise through the real-world impact you've achieved. Here's how to do so effectively:
Informative, Attention-Grabbing Success Story: Begin with a key accomplishment. For instance, "Increased organic traffic by 50% within 6 months through optimized content and keyword-strategy adjustments." This immediately highlights not only your SEO knowledge but, more importantly, your ability to deliver tangible results.
List Tools Used in Each Role: Under each position, specify the tools you utilized: Google Analytics, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog, etc. Rather than simply stating "worked in SEO," show your familiarity with essential industry tools and how you've applied them in practice. This demonstrates your technical proficiency to hiring managers.
For example: "Conducted comprehensive keyword research and competitor analysis using SEMrush and Ahrefs."
Highlight Your Certifications: If you hold any certifications, such as Google Ads, Google Analytics, or HubSpot, be sure to include them. These credentials show that you are committed to staying current and expanding your skill set. Certifications serve as solid evidence of your dedication to the field of SEO.
Personal Projects: If you've worked on personal SEO projects, such as running your own blog or improving the ranking of a friend's small business, mention these too. These projects showcase your ability to apply SEO skills outside of formal roles, demonstrating both your expertise and your passion for the discipline.

Connor Bringas · Answer

When I'm looking to hire an SEO, here are the skills I expect to see on a resume: technical SEO skills, being able to communicate effectively with multiple clients throughout the week and being able to manage client expectations and any/every campaign issue the client wants addressed.

Jessyca Frederick · Answer

I take a user-centric approach to my work, so I do the same on my resume. Potential clients and employers want to see something unique from a candidate, so I emphasize my analytical skills, technical prowess, and how I connect those with business goals. An SEO who can speak "developer" and "stakeholder" is valuable—one who relies on search data and user behavior for decision-making is even more so.

Rajesh Sutariya · Answer

I have done over 56 interviews, and I've noticed several key things that make a candidate stand out.
The important points I observe are the candidate's portfolio (live projects), relevant experience, strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, eagerness to learn, and team-collaboration skills.

Jesse Taylor · Answer

When highlighting my SEO skills on a resume, I focus on showcasing results-driven expertise and my ability to deliver measurable outcomes. I emphasize how I've implemented on-page SEO strategies, such as optimizing website content and metadata, which have led to improved keyword rankings and increased organic traffic. I also highlight my experience with technical SEO, like conducting site audits, improving page speed, fixing indexing issues, and ensuring mobile optimization—often tying these efforts to tangible improvements in site performance.
For off-page SEO, I mention successful link-building campaigns and strategies that helped enhance domain authority and search visibility. Additionally, I demonstrate my ability to optimize local SEO by improving Google My Business profiles, driving increased local traffic and visibility for businesses. To back it all up, I discuss my proficiency with SEO tools such as Google Analytics, Search Console, and SEMrush, which I use to track KPIs, analyze performance, and continually refine strategies. Quantifying these results, like stating that I increased organic traffic or conversion rates by a specific percentage, adds credibility and weight to my claims.

Jase Rodley · Answer

To show off your SEO skills on your resume, add a Certifications and Continuous Learning section.
Start by listing your SEO certifications under a section that's easy to find. Include the name, issuing organization, and completion date. For example: Google SEO Fundamentals - UC Davis, March 2023 or SEO Certification Course - HubSpot, January 2024.
Show continuous learning by mentioning any ongoing courses or certifications from reputable platforms like Semrush Academy or Yoast Academy. Industry-recognized certifications from Ahrefs or Moz will give you more credibility. You should also showcase your skills by highlighting real projects you completed as part of certifications, like a keyword-research project that resulted in simulated organic-traffic increase.
And finally, add some visual flair by including certification badges or logos and mention SEO blogs, podcasts, or newsletters you follow, like Neil Patel or Moz.

Paul DeMott · Answer

I always try to tell a story about the projects I've worked on. I think it's important to move beyond just listing skills and tools and instead show how I've used those skills in real-world situations. For instance, I'll talk about how I've developed and executed comprehensive SEO strategies that helped a client jump from page two to the top three search results in a competitive industry. This not only shows my expertise but also gives potential employers a tangible example of my impact.
I also make sure to emphasize collaboration because SEO is rarely a one-person job. Whether I'm working with web developers on technical SEO fixes or with content teams on keyword strategy, I highlight how my ability to communicate and collaborate has been key to delivering strong SEO results. Plus, it's worth mentioning specific tools—employers like to see those, so I'll list things like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and Moz to show I have hands-on experience with the latest SEO technologies.

How Do You Highlight SEO Skills On a Resume?

Table of Contents

How Do You Highlight SEO Skills On a Resume?

Quantify Your SEO Achievements

Highlight SEO in Professional Summary

Link to Your Own Websites

Dive Into Specific SEO Experience

Showcase Key SEO Skills

Focus on Technical Abilities and Results

Specify Achievements and Case Studies

Create a Detailed Skills Section

Use QR Codes for Interactive Content

Re-Order Skills by Relevance

Show Both Skills and Achievements

Emphasize Results Over Technical Skills

Demonstrate Real-World SEO Impact

List Expected SEO Skills

Emphasize Analytical and Technical Prowess

Highlight Portfolio and Strategic Thinking

Showcase Results-Driven SEO Expertise

Add Certifications and Continuous Learning

Tell a Story About SEO Projects

Submit Your Answer

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