The SEO Job Search Playbook

Quick answer

Treat your job search like an SEO campaign. Run a quick audit, optimize your public pages (resume, LinkedIn), target job keywords, build links (network), and track results. This playbook shows each step so you can land work or freelance gigs fast.

Read a survival guide for context, then use the checklist below to act.

Phase 1: Personal SEO Audit

What should I check first?

Start with a short audit like you would for a website. Look at three things: visibility, assets, and finances.

• Visibility: Search your name on Google. Note what appears on page one.
• Assets: Gather your resume, LinkedIn, portfolio links, code repos, case studies, and credentials.
• Finances: Cut extras, list fixed costs, and set a 90-day budget. Advice like this is in the Search Engine Journal laid-off guide.

Quick audit checklist

• Is your LinkedIn photo sharp and headline clear?
• Does your resume use job title keywords?
• Do your public case studies show impact (traffic, revenue, rankings)?

Tip: keep this short. We want fast wins.

Phase 2: On-Page Optimization — Resume & LinkedIn

How do I beat the ATS?

Think of an ATS like a search engine for resumes. Use the exact job title and keywords from the job posting in your resume sentences. Forbes and Jobscan explain why this works.

• Use simple headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education.
• Write short bullet results: "Increased organic sessions 42% in 6 months."
• Avoid fancy templates that break ATS parsing.

What about LinkedIn?

Your LinkedIn profile is a public page. Fill every section, use the job title you want in your headline, and add a short summary that reads like a value proposition: what you do and who you help.

Example headline: "SEO Manager — Technical SEO, Content Strategy, E-commerce Growth." For more profile tips see A Life After Layoff.

Phase 3: Keyword Strategy — Target Jobs Like Pages

How do I pick job targets?

List 10 roles you want. For each, grab the job description and highlight keywords. Treat the job description like a landing page and your resume like the optimized page.

1. Copy job titles and main skills into a 'target keywords' list.
2. Score each role for fit and speed to hire (1-5). Focus on roles with high fit and fast hiring.
3. Create a tailored resume variant for each top role.

Use the ATS advice from Dave Dougherty Media to match keywords smartly.

Phase 4: Link Building — Networking That Works

How do I build 'links' to get referrals?

Link building in SEO is like networking in a job search. Reach out with short, helpful messages. Offer value first: share a quick audit, a template, or a note about a mutual interest.

• Send 5 messages a day to ex-colleagues, hiring managers, and recruiters.
• Do one informational interview a week. Ask two questions: "Where do you see hiring needs?" and "Who else should I talk to?"
• Share a short case study on LinkedIn once a week to stay visible.

Communities like r/SEO are good for leads and for testing pitch language.

Phase 5: Content & Portfolio — Proof of Work

What should go in my portfolio?

Include 2–4 case studies that show the problem, your actions, and the outcomes. Use numbers. If you cannot share private data, use ranges or percentages.

• Problem: low organic traffic to a product page.
• Action: technical fixes, content rewrite, backlink campaign.
• Result: +60% organic sessions in 3 months.

Link to public proof when you can. Hosting a short personal site or a PDF with screenshots works.

Short-Term Income: Freelance & Gigs

How do I get quick consulting work?

Small gigs help you pay bills and show value. Try platforms like Upwork or Fiverr and be selective. Offer one clear service: "30-minute site SEO audit + 3 action items."

Keep rates fair. Use early wins to collect testimonials.

Interview Prep & Explaining a Layoff

How should I talk about being laid off?

Be brief, factual, and move on to what you learned. Example: "My position was eliminated in a company-wide restructure. I used that time to sharpen my technical SEO skills and run freelance audits."

Interview checklist

• Research the company SEO footprint so you can speak to real opportunities. See Search Engine Journal.
• Prepare one mini-audit to share live.
• Practice clear stories that show impact.

Use AI Carefully to Speed Up

AI can help tailor resumes and draft outreach. Use it to generate drafts, then edit with specific metrics and voice. Learn prompts and check facts. The job search is judgeable by humans, so keep your work honest.

Measure & Iterate

Track your outreach like campaign analytics.

• Apply count per week.
• Response rate and interview rate.
• Which resume variant performed best.

Move budget and time toward what gives the best return.

When to Ask for Help

Ask mentors or former managers for references. If money is tight, consider local programs or community help. Search Engine Journal and Job-Hunt.org have resources for rebuilding momentum.

Free Checklist (above the fold)

Download the Personal SEO Audit checklist and use it every week to stay focused: audit, optimize, apply, network, review.

FAQ

How long will this take?

Most people see interviews within 30 to 60 days if they work the plan daily. Target 90 days for a strong full-time offer.

Can I freelance and job search at the same time?

Yes. Take small, fixed-scope work that you can finish in a few days. Use deadlines to prevent burnout.

Closing note

We are in this together. Small, steady work wins.

Quick tip: schedule 60 minutes each morning for outreach and one audit task a day. Keep a living tracker and update your resume keywords with each role you apply to. You can land a great next role.

Further reading and tools: Conductor resume guide, Forbes resume SEO, podcast on ATS tactics.