'SEO Addiction': Demonstrating "SEO Skills" in A Resume

Below is an excerpt from a resume we received in response to an ad for the position of a SEO manager in India that we were trying to help recruit for a client:

"Working for self gratification is a quality that makes me a Virtual Assistant with a difference. As an SEO EXPERT INDIA or even as an INTERNET MARKETING EXPERTS India delivering work with proficiency and in the stipulated time frame, I prove myself to be an asset for the employer."

(Other than making the "keyword phrases" bold, I've pasted the text as I received).

See the pervasiveness of "keyword stuffing" (technically, the above might not qualify for the use of that phrase, but I don't know what else to call it)?

Looks like this candidate clearly wanted to demonstrate his 'strong' SEO fundamentals: incorporate keyword phrases in the content. Or, may be he wanted to display how he used his professional skills in his personal life. [Oh, and talking about the convergence of personal and professional lives, here is how another candidate had to say: "SEO is my hobby, my profession, my passion and my life"]

What an addiction!

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There was another interesting resume I had the pleasure of looking at. The candidate in question did not try to load his resume withe keyword phrases, but instead chose to use two other proven marketing tactics: laid out the content in a nice two-column format like it was a piece of marketing collateral [good user interface] and including a "Testimonials" section ---yes, that's how it was labeled. It caught my attention. So far so good. Here's what the testimonial said:

"To do the job accurately, on time and to your satisfaction. I have always done a great job on all my projects, taking initiative, applying creativity and artistic skill. I gets (sic) involved in the project and really works (sic) with you to develop great results."

Thankfully, there was no mention of "References" in the resume--- else, one can guess whose name would have been included there..

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One conclusion I took away from both of the above examples [and many more that I came across recently] was that these candidates required a lot of training in areas beyond their chosen profession ie. English language communication. It is not just the SEO / SEM industry in India that has felt this need; numerous MNCs that have outsourced their business operations to India have communicated the importance of language and soft skills training. There are a few companies that are trying to fill this gap, and I'm glad that one of our valued clients has just ventured into the soft skills training business. Hope they succeed and we stop receiving such resumes!

Using "link exchanges" in link building

Recently, I put up a question on LinkedIn on the use of link exchanges for link building purposes.

My main objective of putting up this question was to gauge what other folks in the SEO/ SEM community thought about these exchanges. I wasn't very surprised by the responses received either-- most folks were well meaning and suggested that I stay away from these exchanges. One person termed them as "glorified link farms" and many others advised against apparent artificial means to boost link popularity.

Fair enough. And pretty much in line with conventional wisdom on link building. Now, I haven't used these link exchanges yet to know them in full detail--- and I must admit, ignorance, fear and uncertainty about the potential consequences have prevented me from trying them out.

At the same time, prima facie I am not averse to the concept of these link exchanges, which I personally believe are different from the much abhorred "link farms" [not sure if there is a good definition for a link farm---- as far as I am concerned any page that has a lot of outbound links is a link "farm"; it is what "grows" there that should differentiate a good farm from a bad farm].

The reason why I like the concept is that such an exchange gives an opportunity for a webmaster to "advertise" his/ her website---- and whoever wants to provide a link to that website does so purely of his/her own accord. The choice of whether I want to provide a link to website XYZ rests with me, and I can make that decision based on whatever qualitative criteria I choose to apply to a particular site. From a web master's perspective, I think an opportunity to get in front of other webmasters who are open to evaluating your website and providing a link is an efficient way of creating visibility.

I don't know how many takers there would be for that arguement or perspective---- but I would certainly want to explore and experiment with the link exchanges to form a firm opinion one way or the other on their merits & value in SEO efforts.