Type “SEO New Zealand” into the popular SEEK jobs browser. Chances are, like me, you’ll be amazed at the number of vacancies that pop up. 104 to be precise, at this moment, while I write this blog. Now type “SEO” into the Indeed New Zealand jobs browser. Right now, it brings up about 91 job vacancies across a gamut of industries. So why are SEO Specialists or Digital Marketers who are proficient at search engine optimisation so high in demand in New Zealand right now?
Whether it is a giant corporate, a supermarket, a not-for-profit organisation, or perhaps a small retailer selling hand-made masks, the pandemic has ensured that the only way to survive lockdowns and Covid protection traffic-light frameworks is to ensure that your business has an online presence. According to Neil Patel, a recognised SEO thought leader, 75% of online searches start on Google. For your business to be found organically on Google, without paying for advertising you need your website to be search engine optimised.
Isn’t SEO all about stuffing keywords into website content?
While search engine optimisation is the key to appear first on Google, gone are the days of hacks like keyword- stuffing. Now Google’s constantly changing algorithms ensure that only websites with the most relevant content maintain top rankings. This requires both on page and off page SEO strategies. “Black hat” tactics such as keyword stuffing are penalised by the Google algorithm, while “white hat” SEO best practices ensure that a website maintains its high-ranking position in a sustainable manner. This is where an SEO expert comes in.
To find out whether recruitment consultants are also finding a rise in demand for SEO and Digital Marketing Specialists, I chat with Melanie Cropp of OCG Consulting:
1)Please introduce yourself and your role in OCG
My name is Melanie Cropp and I’ve been supporting OCG Consulting for the past 4 years across Business Support, Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Communications and Sales & Marketing recruitment. It’s interesting and varied work, with no two days and no two roles being the same!
2) Of the many roles you have seen going up in demand since 2021, would you classify Digital Marketing as one?
I would say as a whole, there has been an increased demand for marketers in general this year. Sales & Marketing was one of the sectors that was hit pretty hard year before last and it’s taken a while to recover. About 10% of the roles we recruited in 2020 had anything to do with Marketing, while in 2021 until now, it has been around 20%. All the Marketing roles we’ve worked on this year have had an element of digital, with a few being more technical and requiring html, SEO and Google Analytics expertise.
3) What are the salaries on offer for digital roles?
Bit of a hard one to answer as it depends on skill–sets and experience. The contracting rates I’ve seen this year have been from $40 to $80 per hour.
4) Are SEO specialists in demand?
They are certainly becoming more in demand as businesses try to be smarter with how they reach out to their target audiences.
5) Would you say digital marketing / SEO specialists is a well-paying career? What kind of companies are looking for SEO / Digital specialists?
I think like with any work, if you are willing to embrace change in order to upskill and keep up with trends and changes to the digital landscape then it could be a well-paying career. Everything has been moving towards the digital space for a while but there are still companies who are a little behind that could benefit from a specialist analysing their current set up and making best practice recommendations.
At OCG Consulting, we specialise in local/ central government, not-for-profit, education, services and FMCG. All of these sectors have had need in the past year for digital specialists and it looks likely that this need is increasing in 2022.
6) What would your advice be for someone looking for a new role in 2022?
My advice to anyone in digital marketing who is looking for a new role in 2022 would be to reflect on what you enjoy in your field of expertise and see how you can strengthen those skills – look at online courses, learn basic html, put your hand up for different projects in your current role. Then make sure to add all of this to your CV with a clear statement of intention – this is you and this is what you can do.
If you have been thinking of a new career as an SEO specialist, or need to upgrade your skills for your current job, or you need SEO skills to grow your business, NZIE’s practical 7– weeks micro-credentials is perfect for professionals from any industry. Taught by an SEO expert with over 7years of experience this course will equip you with current knowledge of SEO best practices and strategies you can immediately use in your current role or to grow your business.
If you are looking for an overall Digital Marketing qualification that not only equips you with SEO knowledge and skills but also equips you with knowledge of Google Analytics, Social Media, Email marketing, Mobile Marketing, Content Marketing and more, enrol for the NZIE Diploma in Digital Marketing (Applied) (link).
Both courses are online and NZQA-accredited with multiple intakes throughout the year with our first intakes coming up in February. To find out more about how an SEO course or Digital Marketing course can amplify your potential, click below.
Written by Lipika Sen
