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What does getting started with SEO as a career actually look like?
Posted by on February 28, 2026 at 2:20 amHello! I've been looking to switch careers and after talking a digital marketing course, SEO is the position that has resonated with me the most. I took some time learning Excel and studying things to where I can have a good foundation before learning how to properly do SEO. Now that I'm at that point though, I'm a little bit confused because from the research I've done, starting a career in SEO does not look like what I thought it was going to. I was under the assumption that I would learn the basic skills, maybe get some certificates to help improve the resume and eventually get taken on as a Jr. SEO with some agency or company and from there, once you really know your stuff, maybe take on additional contracts and basically be self-sufficient. However, if I'm understanding correctly, it seems to be the other way around. It seems that I'm supposed to learn how to do the job and seek out contract work in order to prove my skills and THEN maybe I'll get hired by a company. Is this correct? If so, where does one typically even look for contracts that are willing to hire someone just entering the field? If it's neither of these, then how does one typically go about getting started with SEO as a career?
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1 Reply
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I’ve hired SEO guys from Fiver, upwork & google ads. You can probably find customers there.
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Nearly everyone who gets into SEO quickly realises it’s a lot different than what they thought. Unfortunately that is due to so much misinformation being spread – just looking at your points:
* You don’t need to know Excel to do SEO. It’s a useful skill to have for sure but not necessary.
* No one asks for certificates, they want to see results. Third parties will offer courses/certificates but why care about them. Would you hire someone with loads of certificates or someone with none who gets their clients ranking at the top of search engines?
* If you’re new, you can try joining an agency and learn. Or you can try going on your own, look at your own network and see if anyone wants help with their SEO and learn that way. Like so many other trades you learn through mistakes and identifying what works and what doesn’t. There is no right way, just keep learning.
* Ask questions and search past questions in this subreddit you can learn some stuff very quick and as well as sifting through the bad advice.
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