Top Prescreening Questions to Ask When Hiring a Part-Time Keyword Researcher and SEO Content Creator

Tell us a little about yourself

It's always beneficial to start with an open-ended question that allows candidates to express themselves freely. This question helps you gauge their communication skills, background, and personal interests, which can be vital for team culture and dynamics.

What's your experience with keyword research and SEO content creation?

This question aims to get a glimpse of the candidate's relevant experience. It's crucial to understand their familiarity with keyword research and SEO content creation, as these are the heart of the role.

What tools have you used?

Knowing what tools the candidate has used can tell you about their technical knowledge and adaptability. Different tools often require different skill sets, so it's useful to know what they're comfortable with.

Please let us know about your technical setup

For remote roles or ones that require online collaboration, understanding a candidate's technical setup and any potential connectivity issues is crucial. It can affect productivity and teamwork, so it's something you'll want to clarify early on.

Why do you believe you're a great fit for this position?

This question lets you see how well the candidate understands the role and your company. Plus, their answer can demonstrate their confidence, ambition, and alignment with your organization's values.

Why are you no longer with your previous employer?

While this question might seem a bit personal, it can give you insights into their professional history. It can help you understand their career trajectory and reasons for leaving, which is always valuable information.

Do you have experience using SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs?

Specific SEO tools, like SEMrush or Ahrefs, are widely used in the industry. Knowing whether the candidate is familiar with these can tell you about their readiness to jump into the role.

Can you describe your process for conducting keyword research?

Their approach to keyword research can reveal their strategic thinking, thoroughness, and understanding of SEO best practices. It can also give you an idea of how they might fit into your existing workflow.

How do you ensure the content you create is SEO optimized?

SEO optimization is crucial for any content creator. This question allows you to see if they understand the importance of SEO, and how they ensure their content is optimized to rank well on search engines.

Can you share a sample of a piece of content you have created that successfully ranked highly on search engine results?

Requesting a sample of their work not only showcases their writing skills but also provides concrete proof of their SEO success. It's one thing to understand SEO, but applying it effectively is another.

What strategies do you use to keep up with SEO trends and algorithm changes?

SEO is constantly evolving, so it's important that the candidate is committed to staying up-to-date. Their answer can show you their dedication to continuous learning and adaptability to change.

Can you describe a time when your SEO strategy didn't yield the expected results and how you adjusted your approach?

This question can reveal how the candidate handles challenges, their problem-solving skills, and their willingness to adapt and learn from mistakes.

Do you have experience working part-time and how do you manage your time and deliverables?

Part-time roles require excellent time management skills. Understanding how a candidate has handled part-time work in the past can give you a sense of their reliability and organization.

How do you handle feedback and revisions for your content?

Content creation often involves revisions and feedback. This question can shed light on their receptiveness to feedback, their ego resilience, and their commitment to producing quality work.

Can you describe your experience with analytics and how you use data to inform your content creation?

Data-driven decision making is key in SEO. A candidate's familiarity with analytics and how they use data in their work can speak volumes about their strategic thinking and results-oriented approach.

What types of content are you most experienced in creating?

Understanding a candidate's experience with different content types can give you a sense of their versatility and adaptability. It can also help you understand if their skills align with your specific content needs.

Do you have any experience with other aspects of digital marketing?

Digital marketing is a wide field, and a candidate with experience in multiple areas could bring valuable diversity to your team. Their answer can also show their eagerness to learn and grow in their role.

How do you approach the process of optimizing an existing piece of content for SEO?

SEO isn't just about creating new content; it's also about improving existing pieces. Understanding a candidate's approach to optimization can tell you about their strategic thinking and attention to detail.

What is your familiarity with our industry or subject matter?

Understanding a candidate's industry knowledge can help you gauge their ability to create relevant, value-adding content. It can also show you their research skills and willingness to learn about new topics.

How do you balance the need for SEO optimization with creating content that is engaging and valuable to readers?

Great SEO content is not just about keywords; it's also about reader engagement. This question can reveal a candidate's understanding of this balance and their ability to create content that serves both SEO and user needs.

Describe a project where your keyword research significantly contributed to the project's success

This is another opportunity for candidates to showcase their success stories. Their answer can demonstrate their ability to deliver results, their strategic thinking, and their contribution to past projects.