Sometimes, sitting here managing 100+ websites I dream of a nice little job being the highly paid (over-paid?) Head SEO of a single large retailer. Every so often I go on a job website and look for that dream job ...
It doesn't exist, though, and I'm not sure why. Today, for example, I saw seven SEO jobs advertised with various companies around my local area (Edinburgh, Scotland) and the highest pay was £30,000. Qualifications for that position required included:
A university degree in marketing, business administration, communications.
Strong retail background
Technically oriented with expert understanding of website technologies, concepts and best practices
Experience developing, managing, and contributing to web sites through a content management systems
Experience managing the design, creation, and operation of corporate web sites, including online sales and information portals
Experience using social networking and media for lead generation, brand enhancement, and SEO
Demonstrated drive to be on the leading edge of web technologies
Ability to understand the company’s products and services and how they fit the marketplace
Ability to critique, verify and test web pages
Strong working knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Dreamweaver Illustrator, Photoshop, and a CMS
Together with knowlege rich media generation such as Video, 360’s and audio.
Experience with CSS, HTML5, JavaScript, etc., a plus
For £30,000 a year?! Seriously?! And just so you know, £30,000 a year in Edinburgh will barely pay for rent and utilities let alone getting to own a car.
Why would a good SEO guy give up the six figures he/she can make on their own to go and work for a company at a quarter of the pay. Or more specifically - what kind of SEO guy do they expect to get for £30,000 a year? ;)
