As hard as it is to assess ANY job candidate’s knowledge, it’s even harder with SEO candidates because there’s so much gray area in the industry. This blog series presents questions you can pose to help you determine a candidate’s level of knowledge.
How do you stay current with the almost-daily changes that occur in digital marketing?
This question will help you assess the candidate’s educational commitment and process. Find out how much time they invest in their ongoing education, the resources they utilize, and what industry leaders they follow to stay up to date.
Here’s how I would answer:
I spend at least five hours per week on education. This includes a daily regimen of reviewing blog feeds of trusted industry experts such as Rand Fishkin, Loren Baker, Christine Churchill, Bruce Clay, Ammon Johns, Kim Krause Berg, Heather Lloyd-Martin, Lee Odden, Danny Sullivan, Joe Puluzzi, Julie Joyce, and a whole lot more I can’t rattle off the top of my head.
I also regularly visit industry publications such as Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, and Content Marketing Institute. Additionally, I’m an avid consumer of books and make sure I’m always reading at least one business book.
When I get a chance I will attend industry relevant search conferences, as well.