SEO Test

When looking to fill an SEO position, it's important to make sure that the candidate has the skills necessary to do the job. An SEO skills test can help ensure that the candidate is a good fit for the position.

  • What is an SEO skills test?

    An SEO skills test is a pre-employment assessment that can help recruitment teams differentiate between similarly qualified and experienced applicants for an SEO specialist role.

    The SEO test is designed to ask the questions that allow a candidate to demonstrate that they have the right level of skills, aptitudes and competencies to be successful in the role; that they have enough job skills to be able to cope with the day-to-day tasks.

    Structured as a multiple choice assessment that can be easily administered to a large number of applicants at the same time, it effectively and fairly measures each candidate against relevant metrics to provide simple reports full of data that can be used to objectively choose the best applicants to take further into the recruitment process.

    For the candidate, it is a test that can be taken in their own time online, and to succeed in the test they need to be able to demonstrate that they have the relevant competencies and job skills.

Jump to a section on this page:

  1. What is an SEO skills test?
  2. What are the benefits of using the SEO skills test for pre-screening?
  3. How our test measures SEO skills
  4. SEO Test FAQs

Identify the best candidates and hire faster

Our pre-employment tests let you drill down to the best candidates at the click of a button.

  • Find those candidates who will excel in the role.

    Select the assessments that match the skills or behaviours for the position. You can test for software or coding competency, soft skills like teamwork, or personality traits, to be sure those who pass have high potential.

  • Reduce costs and time.

    No more laborious sifting of resumes or cover letters. Pick your ideal assessment mix, invite your applicants to take them, see the results in your dashboard. Get to the interview stage fast.

  • Eliminate bias.

    All your candidates take the assessments on a level playing field. Only their results determine whether they get shortlisted.

  • What are the benefits of using the SEO skills test for pre-screening?

    Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a digital marketing skill set that is used by marketing professionals to improve website rankings in search engine results. This is important for businesses who want to rank higher on search engines like Google, to get more leads and more customers.

    The SEO specialist works as part of the marketing team usually, collaborating with website and graphic designers to create optimized, compelling and high-quality website content that includes specific keywords in the written content as well as in page descriptions, meta descriptions and image tags.

    An effective SEO specialist needs some particular skills. They need to be comfortable working with tools like Ahrefs, Google Search Console and Google Analytics, Google Ads, SEMRush and Buzzstream, for example.

    Soft skills like critical thinking, decision making and analysis will be needed when the SEO specialist is researching keywords and the things that customers might be searching, as well as creating optimization strategies. They will need to monitor performance against measurable goals.

    When you are recruiting for an SEO specialist, there are not really any specific qualifications for the role, but some people might be looking for a candidate that has a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a post-grad in digital marketing, or a certification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Soft skills like communication, teamwork, project management and adaptability might not be as easy to gauge as qualifications and direct experience just by looking at a CV - and that is where the SEO test can make a real difference.

    Used early in the recruitment process, it can be delivered to multiple applicants at the same time, and provides objective, specific data that shows which candidates have the right level of knowledge, skills, and competencies that you need for excellent SEO results.

    This test could be used to hire:

More Job Skills Tests

How our test measures SEO skills

Test questions are designed to assess industry-specific technical skills, soft skills, aptitude and suitable personality dimensions. Our data-driven approach provides results that enable you to determine how suited is a candidate for the role.

Depending on the type of question, the format of the test may vary. Multiple-choice questions are used to measure aptitude, technical skills and soft skills, while agreement on a Likert scale assesses suitable personality dimensions. Skills tests ensure that candidates are being evaluated in a precise and impartial manner, their results demonstrating the true knowledge and potential of each test taker.

The characteristics required to become an SEO specialist were determined by looking at the skills and abilities listed in the US Department of Labor’s O*NET database, which collects data from professionals in various fields.

O*NET is the largest database of its kind, providing detailed information about occupations and the requirements for each role.

Our team of I/O psychologists and psychometrics worked closely with subject-matter experts to create an extensive question bank that can be used to test multiple candidates. We also conducted rigorous field testing with a representative sample of candidates to ensure that the questions were reliable and valid.

Test scores are averaged together to give an overall score. The average score is compared to other candidates' scores to ensure there is no bias toward certain candidates.

Our SEO test is constantly updated and optimized to ensure the best experience and results.

Try for free

Validated

Predictor of job success

Picked provides evidence-based recommendations for tests to use for over 750 jobs. Our recommendation engine leverages data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

  • Assessments

    A full suite of assessments

    Our platform comes with 12 tests across both foundation and advanced levels so they’re suitable for everyone. Including aptitude, behavioural and personality tests, you’ll have a full range of tests to help you find the candidates you’re seeking.

  • Analytics

    An array of candidate metrics

    For each of your candidates, you’ll be given a comprehensive report. Included will be all the metrics you need to build a detailed picture of each candidate and ensure you’re making the right hiring decisions.

“The platform is so simple to use. I had used competitor providers for over six years and will never go back. Fast, efficient and friendly!”
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd

SEO Test FAQs

What are the different types of SEO tools?

As the search engine of choice for most people, Google is the place where most of the SEO focus comes. There are specific tools used by SEO specialists that are made by Google, including Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and Google Keyword Planner. Ahrefs and SEMRush are two other tools that are regularly used by SEO specialists.

Do SEO specialists need qualifications?

There are no specific qualifications that an SEO specialist needs, but some companies look for candidates that have at least a degree in computer science or marketing, with a focus on digital marketing. There are online courses that a budding SEO specialist can take to improve their skills, although most knowledge does come from experience.

Can I see what the test is like?

Yes, of course. You can try the test for free by signing up for a free trial.

Are these tests available in my plan?

We have a range of plans available. The difference between the plans is the number of test attempts permitted, not the type of tests. All our plans include our full test suite comprising all tests and all levels.

“An unbeatable service, impressive platform and fantastic value for money.”
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA

Ready to try Test Candidates?

Compare your next great hires today

Try for free