SEO Interview Questions for Job Seekers
Currently, I am seeking a digital analyst position/SEO analyst position. One of the agencies ask me the following questions that I really think every job seeker should pay attention.
1. What latest Changes at Google have changed SEO and how?
2. What does a search engine friendly site look like?
3. What types of reporting do you use for your metrics?
First, what latest Changes at Google have changed SEO and how?
Humming Bird Algorithm launched last year. It requested the higher relevance for presenting the search results. The Hummingbird takes a search engine query using long-tailed keywords and deciphers the context of the question rather than chase the specific keywords within the question. So I also made some changes for the keyword research. For example, one of my clients is doing summer school camp, I would suggest him use “pre college programs Chicago” in the old days, but now, I suggest him to use “pre college programs for high school students Chicago”.And we also highly recommend that each business to present a web telling the customers story via social media, blog and images, not just be searchable after the Humming Bird Algorithm launched.
Google is also pushing us to use Google+, even though we all know it is not that valuable as a social media community. So of course, Google+, Google+ Page and Google Places are the ones we won’t miss for the SEO now.
Mobile SEO is also a huge change for the industry. So we always test the webs and see if they are mobile compatible.Conversational search query will be the future. That’s one of my projections for SEO. In the future, the search engine will act like your Siri. If you search “Best restaurant in Chicago”, after giving you the relevant search results, the search engine will also reply you like this ”Do you need to know the best salad in XZY restaurant ” based on the fact that you’ve search for “salad” couple days ago. That’s the scenario I predict for SEO. So as a SEO Specialist, I have to create the full story for the clients, not just keywords. To create the consistent and unique content for users and lead those conversations will be a well-prepared strategy for the next Algorithm.
Also, for SEM, Google stated that it was moving to secure search for clicks on paid search ads yesterday. They try to keep search secure by removing the query from the referrer on ad clicks originating from SSL searches on Google.com. Then we have to get detailed information in the AdWords search terms report and the Google Webmaster Tools Search Queries report.
Second, what does a search engine friendly site look like?
Clean Website Functionalities: Users’ comfort levels are very different for Internet. A great website should have clear structure to lead them to get what they need. For example, well-organized categories, site map, website navigation sub-categories and search facility which will easily be ignored are important.
Call-to-Action Elements/Landing Pages: A good landing page with unique CTA elements can turn traffic to money. A good landing page can make customers leave their information and get started engage with our website.
High Quality Content: this is extremely important to SEO now. High quality content should be 100% original, well written, relevant to your audience and unique. We should provide unique and relevant information based on the report Google Analytics and users’ survey (Things like which page has most page views, how long do they stay on that page, which links do they click on etc.)
Consistent Contact Information: this is extremely important for local SEO, because your potential may want to call you immediately if they are interested in you information. If you can’t be reached, your credibility will lose.
Third, what types of reporting do you use for your metrics?
I use Google Analytics and HubSpot to conduct the following reports for my clients:
Rank Report: Google and Bing Page Rank and Position.
Traffic Report: Average Rankings Growth, Total Traffic Growth and Organic Search Traffic/Total Traffic GrowthContent Report: Page Views, Ave time on the specific page, Day Parts, Landing Page, Exit Page
Conversion Report: conversion rate, event tracking report
