© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Need Advice (Quickly)
Last August, I left a marketing job I really loved and was very passionate about because I felt like I wasn't learning anymore, I wasn't being challenged, and my boss at the time provided for a very toxic work environment. I wound up accepting a position at a digital marketing agency that was willing to teach me SEO (something I had no experience or skills in), which seemed like an awesome opportunity at the time. Fast forward through 5 months of training (and 1 month before the pandemic hit) and I wound up being let go from the new company. At the end of the day, it was obvious (to them and to me) that something wasn't clicking for me. I left that situation feeling completely defeated and at the same time very relieved. I felt that the experience hadn't been a complete loss because at least it revealed a skill that I wasn't necessarily strong in (which I had to learn to be ok with) and an area of marketing that I honestly didn't really enjoy. Now 3 months into my search, I have yet to find a new job...
*Plot Twist*
I had someone from a Fortune 500 company reach out to me on LinkedIn this week asking me if I was interested in doing contract work for this company and in "trying something different." The information provided was very vague and she didn't supply a job description at first, but after scoping out her profile I quickly noticed her role is predominantly SEO (the skill I had trouble with at the agency). I hesitantly responded, letting her know I'd like to hear more about the opportunity, so she forwarded my resume on to another person on the team and that person reached out this evening with a position description that was made up of predominantly SEO-related responsibilities... If I'm interested, she wants to talk tomorrow afternoon.
I'm torn-- should I suck it up, hear about the position first-hand, and be open to giving SEO another shot (knowing I didn't enjoy it the first time), just for the awesome chance to work at a Fortune 500 company? Or, should I be honest with them about my (not-so-great) previous experience with SEO, cut my losses and move on about my job search?
Help!
Sincerely,
Distressed and frustrated job seeker
User deleted comment on 05/27/20 at 1:19PM UTC
Alison Harris
Global Digital Marketing Leader
324
05/26/20 at 7:47PM UTC
Take the opportunity, then let me know how I can help. I've been working on SEO since the pre-Google days. There's a lot to it. The fun part, for me, is the behavioral science aspect to it. SEO shouldn't be about spreadsheets, it should be about how humans and algorithms cooperate. If the agency was making you do searches for volume, traffic, competitors, and intent that's the boring stuff no one wants to do (and if you hated it, it's because everyone does...it's kind of like cleaning a litter box, no one likes doing it, but it's a necessary part of having a cat).
SEO is freaking awesome and if you have the opportunity to experience it at a place that invests in tools, resources, and following the implementation results, DO IT!
Devney AyersMasters in organization development and change
130
05/25/20 at 1:22AM UTC
Hi, you got this! Please don't feel defeated! I think it's a good idea to take the meeting and see. Who knows, maybe they'll realize when talking with you that you'd not be the best fit for the job they originally messaged you about but someone may have just given her notice and they need to fill that role. After speaking with you they think you're perfect for the role and it could end up being your dream job! Or, if not, you now have more practice and confidence in an interview setting. And you're on their radar in case something else comes along you'd be a good fit for.
Please don't feel defeated!!! When training you, did your former employer ever differentiate instruction customizing your needs and how YOU learn vs how they want to teach? And consider who trained you (their role). I think you didn't have the right person training you who could teach it in a way that made sense. Some people are experts at a skill but are unable to tell people how to do it, which could have been the case here.
I don't know much about seo, but as a special ed teacher, 5 months of training and it's still not clicking says more about the people training you than your skills of ability to learn. At least for me, I would be assessing students and seeing where they are at and what needs to be changed before moving on. And if something's not clicking, it's my job to change how I present the material, not the student's job to adapt to my way of teaching.
Maybe you didn't understand a foundational skill that they breezed over and if the majority of the subsequent work is based on that skill , you then continued to struggle throughout. Had they retaught that skill in a different way, you may have felt much more confident in seo.
I could be way off base here, as I know nothing about seo, but 10.5 years in teaching makes me think you weren't taught correctly.
See how you feel in the interview. Please ask how seo will be trained (if it is a part of the job).
Since I'm not HR, please don't take my advice for this next part if you don't feel it resonates with you! Also, I am not sure you were laid off due to this experience (not feeling like you succeeded in seo), but more likely, you were one of the newest hires (6 months). Last to come in, first to go type of thing.
I think it's best to focus on the positive. You did such and such skills a few times each (or whatever frequency) and that makes you a well rounded candidate. You're also interested in gaining a more thorough knowledge in (whatever part of seo you want to work on). (Again, only if you really want to try seo again).
So many people were let go during covid, it has nothing to do with you and (I hope) future employers won't see any issue in an employment gap.
Again not in HR, but I would frame things as you were in this role for 6 months, the job consisted of seo (name a few skills) which you were trained in. You gravitated toward whatever skills you want to show your expertise in (email marketing, graphic design, cold emails?) (Again, only if true).
You learned the skills you needed to complete the tasks and since every company is different with seo/seo is always evolving/anything to show that it's not the same everywhere (again, I'm not sure if that's true with seo, so if not, please disregard) you look forward to seeing how THIS new company does seo. You can ask what trainings are provided for new hires about seo skills for that company?
Remember, if you succeed, they succeed! Please try not to feel defeated! You had one experience and were taught in a way that didn't resonate or align with your learning style. If you don't like seo, that's one thing, but please don't say the reason you don't like it is because you aren't "good" at it.
You got this! I bet with the right trainer, you would learn so much. Don't give up!
Best of luck if you choose to do the interview.
Nicole Capelo
45
05/25/20 at 4:21PM UTC
Lots of really great points. I appreciate all the positive vibes and you taking the time to share your insight as someone who teaches for a living.
Andrea Glockner**
12
05/24/20 at 10:58PM UTC
SEO is hard and constantly changing. Have you checked out linkedin learning? I think they have some SEO courses that might help you as well.
Nicole Capelo
45
05/25/20 at 4:01PM UTC
I haven't. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll check it out.
Kristi C
14
05/24/20 at 8:29PM UTC
How much of what you dislike about SEO is the actual work, and how much is the way the other company approached SEO? You may not know at this point. I would say, if you felt you just couldn't wrap your mind around it, it could have been that the way you were being trained. SEO is a critically important tool for somebody in your field, and it would make sense to really, really try.
I had a similar experience when I was a young accountant with taxes. If you're an accountant and you like taxes you can write your ticket. I spent over a year wrestling with it, with more than one employer, before I decided it wasn't for me. I still question my decision to walk away, but at least I know I really, really tried first.
Nicole Capelo
45
05/25/20 at 4PM UTC
You're right-- SEO is huge in my line of work. My first stint with it was for approx. 5 months; maybe I should give it another try/more time before I just accept that it might just be that thing I'm not good at.
Kristi C
14
05/25/20 at 6:11PM UTC
If nothing else, it'll be another tool in your toolbox.
Maggie Stone Mental Health Counselor
970
05/24/20 at 4:33PM UTC
I definitely wouldn’t ignore an opportunity that came knocking at my door; however, I think there are some questions worth asking. Do I really want to work with SEO? What wasn’t clicking at the last job? If it was something related to company culture or management and not SEO, give it your full consideration. If you are unsure about what you want, “What Color is Your Parachute” is a great resource for people who want to retool or transition.
Maggie Stone Mental Health Counselor
970
05/24/20 at 4:51PM UTC
Basically, I would ask myself if I genuinely wanted to be in a similar role or do similar work to what I have done in the past because that’s where recruiters will try to place you.
Nicole Capelo
45
05/25/20 at 3:54PM UTC
Good point, thanks!
Little Miss NaturalHolistic|green influencer & synergy life coach.
16
05/24/20 at 4:15PM UTC
Kristyn Meyer is right... "You never really know until you know." Anonymous, being that you're out of work right now, this looks like a nice chance to see if you really do dislike SEO as you thought, or maybe you just disliked that other company and their approach to SEO? Since it's a contract position, that works in your favor as well! Just make sure you say something along the lines of SEO still being new to you and you are still learning to master it or something like that, to prepare them. I also agree with others to keep exploring additional options that make your heart sing... be open to what lights you up. There's no reason you can't continue doing that and the contract position if you wish. For help with this, try Lisa Sasevich's new book "Meant for More". She also has a free FB group called "Meant for More 30 day challenge" that you can join right now. Best of luck to you!
Nicole Capelo
45
05/25/20 at 3:53PM UTC
Appreciate the suggestions, thanks!
Dawn S. CrossGoals should scare a little & excite a lot
1.12k
05/24/20 at 3:30PM UTC
Are you interested in SEO? If so, talk to them about it. Just because “it wasn’t clicking” at one place doesn’t mean that the same will happen here. Keep in mind, we all learn differently and by extension, are taught differently. This may be the person who can teach you, challenge you and help you explore what you want to do.
Kathleen ORegistered Financial Adviser for women.
120
05/24/20 at 3:18PM UTC
There's a saying, "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it". Yes, it's nice to have a job/career that you love, brings you passion, etc. but having a fun job may be great, but does it pay the bills? Stretch yourself, get out of your comfort zone, you may not love SEO, but if it pays well, do it. You will obtain another valuable skill-set. If I did not push myself and get out of my comfort zone, and pursue a career that I knew would be difficult, I never would have become a financial adviser. Good luck!
Mayange KaneDo better!
17
05/24/20 at 3:16PM UTC
I would say first to acknowledge and revel in the moment of having someone reach out to you for this opportunity. It means that they noticed your profile and skill set! Secondly, it does not hurt to explore the opportunity. Through conversations with the company you may both realize this is not the position for you, but there may be something else on the horizon in the same organization. Good luck!
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