Comments on: The Next Frontier for Search Marketing Standards http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:43:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Vineet http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/comment-page-1/#comment-1076558 Vineet Tue, 13 May 2008 07:23:24 +0000 http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/#comment-1076558 Ken, Very relevant post considering the lack of standardization in the SEM environment itself. This scenario is so different from a GE Healthcare Job application \ Google Server \ Microsfoft Vista OS position - where you can at lease have some sort of guidelines for recruitment. One of the safest bet in my opinion would be a 2 step process- a] Basic \ foundational knowledge of SEO \ SEM for shortlisting b] Then provide a budget for PPC \ SEM campaign OR Devise a SEO strategy in a particular industry segment - This is an open net test - Candidate can access the internet for any tools \ reporting \ processes. This will give me some idea about the on-job potential of candidates. Thanks, Vineet Ken,
Very relevant post considering the lack of standardization in the SEM environment itself. This scenario is so different from a GE Healthcare Job application \ Google Server \ Microsfoft Vista OS position – where you can at lease have some sort of guidelines for recruitment.
One of the safest bet in my opinion would be a 2 step process- a] Basic \ foundational knowledge of SEO \ SEM for shortlisting

b] Then provide a budget for PPC \ SEM campaign OR Devise a SEO strategy in a particular industry segment – This is an open net test – Candidate can access the internet for any tools \ reporting \ processes.

This will give me some idea about the on-job potential of candidates.

Thanks,
Vineet

]]> By: SEO Canada http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/comment-page-1/#comment-1076538 SEO Canada Mon, 12 May 2008 22:26:57 +0000 http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/#comment-1076538 Great Post Ken. But I think its a bit of a pipe dream. If anything when we hire where I work at Beanstalk Search Engine Positioning (google SEO Services) we actually prefer people that are less proficient at SEO/SEM because they tend to have less SEO bad habits. I find that personality is key in this industry, I spend a lot of time on the phone to leads and they've told me that my personality and passion for the job shines through. I've even signed people after they've hung up on other rude knowledgeable SEOs. Get someone with great people skills then train them with enough knowledge to excel at their job ethically and impress the clients, and thats more a recipe for success then hiring someone who knows his stuff and will be less trainable. And I do recognize that when hiring an inhouse marketing position its quite the opposite, but personality is still the key. Cheers. Great Post Ken. But I think its a bit of a pipe dream. If anything when we hire where I work at Beanstalk Search Engine Positioning (google SEO Services) we actually prefer people that are less proficient at SEO/SEM because they tend to have less SEO bad habits.

I find that personality is key in this industry, I spend a lot of time on the phone to leads and they’ve told me that my personality and passion for the job shines through. I’ve even signed people after they’ve hung up on other rude knowledgeable SEOs.

Get someone with great people skills then train them with enough knowledge to excel at their job ethically and impress the clients, and thats more a recipe for success then hiring someone who knows his stuff and will be less trainable. And I do recognize that when hiring an inhouse marketing position its quite the opposite, but personality is still the key. Cheers.

]]> By: Ken Clark http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/comment-page-1/#comment-1076532 Ken Clark Mon, 12 May 2008 21:08:42 +0000 http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/#comment-1076532 Hi Jeff, thanks for taking the time to comment. At my company we receive regular feedback from both employers and candidates that skills assessments would be of benefit. Employers are looking for a tool that complements their hiring process by helping them accurately identify the skill level of an applicant, and they are also trying to identify the areas they should invest in career development and training for their existing employees. For the “job seekers”, many see it of benefit to themselves personally as it would generate a neutral and accurate assessment of their skills and knowledge without any bias. The end result is not to homogenize the workforce, but provide both parties with a value-add in the recruiting, hiring, and retention of employees. Managing the frequency and updating of the content is critical, however I believe it can be done effectively. Hi Jeff, thanks for taking the time to comment. At my company we receive regular feedback from both employers and candidates that skills assessments would be of benefit. Employers are looking for a tool that complements their hiring process by helping them accurately identify the skill level of an applicant, and they are also trying to identify the areas they should invest in career development and training for their existing employees. For the “job seekers”, many see it of benefit to themselves personally as it would generate a neutral and accurate assessment of their skills and knowledge without any bias. The end result is not to homogenize the workforce, but provide both parties with a value-add in the recruiting, hiring, and retention of employees. Managing the frequency and updating of the content is critical, however I believe it can be done effectively.

]]> By: Jeff James http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/comment-page-1/#comment-1076526 Jeff James Mon, 12 May 2008 18:27:24 +0000 http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-next-frontier-for-search-marketing-standards/6883/#comment-1076526 When you begin standardizing skill level in one of today's most dynamic professions, by the time there is any agreement the standards will be outmoded. You're interested in placing the highest # of people looking for a SEM job into available positions (you're a recruiter), of course you want to homogenize the landscape and be able to qualify vast numbers of people with the least possible thought/analysis. Much less front end analysis. SEMPO is trying to do this. When you begin standardizing skill level in one of today’s most dynamic professions, by the time there is any agreement the standards will be outmoded.

You’re interested in placing the highest # of people looking for a SEM job into available positions (you’re a recruiter), of course you want to homogenize the landscape and be able to qualify vast numbers of people with the least possible thought/analysis. Much less front end analysis.

SEMPO is trying to do this.

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