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Growing your career: permanent & freelance IT Consultants

5 Free Online Business Courses for IT Pros

5 Free Online Business Courses for IT Pros
Now more than ever, IT professionals need to complement their technical expertise.Well, we’ve put together a shortlist of free online courses to help you.

Now more than ever, IT professionals need to complement their technical expertise with soft skills and business acumen to remain on top of an ultra-competitive talent market. Well, we’ve put together a shortlist of free online business courses to help you do exactly that.  

Time to level up. 

Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market – edX

A little entrepreneurial spirit never hurt anyone. Even if you are a hardcore tech guy working deep within a big company’s IT department; having a better picture of how technology products go from inception to market can help you a great deal in the long-term.  

This course by Harvard’s Laboratory for Innovation Science and the University of California San Diego; is part of our online business courses shortlist because of the good overview it will provide you. Especially in how business basics and critical thinking can be applied to commercialising new technologies.  

Power Dressing in the Zoom Era – Future Learn 

The title says it all. Since remote work has become the norm, mastering traditional ways of communicating is no longer enough. In this free, two-hour course, you will learn how to improve the image you project online.  

What’s best to wear in video interviews? How can you polish your personal and business brands so that they are aligned and represent you the best possible way? How about non-verbal communication.   
 

Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization – Coursera 

You’ve heard it before. There’s no budget for this project at the moment. This will have to wait until the next financial year. Well, it’s about time you learn what such statements entail. If your idea of accounting boils down to household maintenance and personal budgeting; then you should probably work on developing your financial literacy.  

A solid understanding of how organisations get and administer money is a must for anyone in business. Whether they are a manager or an IT specialist. This Wharton School of Business course provides a good overview of the subject.   

Intercultural Communication and Conflict Resolution – Coursera 

Have you ever gotten yourself in an awkward situation by unknowingly saying something odd to someone with a different cultural background than yours? Unless you have been living under a tree your entire life, you probably have. In an increasingly global business world, being aware of cultural divides and how to breach them is a must.  

This quick course by the University of California Irvine serves as a great introduction to intercultural communication; and also about the resolution of the conflicts it creates.  

Contract Management: Building Relationships in Business – Future Learn

In many ways, contract making is an art. Negotiation, risk assessment and market intelligence all play an important role in ensuring the drafting and signature of win-win business agreements. If you are an IT freelancer or have had to sign service agreements as part of your everyday job, you know what this is all about.   

This course covers all you should take into account when approaching contracts for the first time, or how to improve your contract-making capabilities if you already have some experience. Offered by the University of Southampton, the course is backed by UK government & World Commerce & Contracting. 

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Weekly News: High Speed Levitating pod

High Speed Levitating pod
High Speed Levitating pod

Hyperloop’s first passenger ride

Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop completed this past weekend the world’s first passenger ride on a high-speed levitating pod. 

The successful test marks a key milestone for the technology. It indeed promises to revolutionise human and cargo transportation by using magnetic levitation to hurtle vehicles through vacuum tubes. 

Although the Hyperloop executives involved in the trial only reached a top speed of 172 km/h, the technology promises to deliver speeds of 966 km/h and faster. That’s twice as fast as a commercial jet with a fraction of the emissions. It could be a reality by 2030.

The Guardian

High Speed Levitating pod: Updates from Microsoft

Microsoft has released the .NET 5.0 developer platform, introducing among other features the new C# 9 and F# 5 programming languages.

.NET 5.0 allows developers to unify their toolset across platforms and operating systems, whether they are building for desktop, mobile, cloud or IoT applications. The new programming languages offer easier, more expressive top-level coding.

Additionally, the Redmond, Virginia company released on Tuesday its November security patch, addressing 112 vulnerabilities. The Windows zero-day vulnerability revealed last month is among them.

TechRepublic / ZDNet

High Speed Levitating pod: Tougher EU tech export rules

European law-makers are tightening rules for the export of dual-use technology products, a category of technologies that can be used both by civilians and the military.  

The technologies involved to improve high-speed levitating pod include high-performance computing (HPC), drones and facial recognition software, will now require vendors to meet a much higher set of conditions when closing licensing deals. 

The rules focus on protecting democracy and human rights and can be easily and quickly amended to cover any new emerging technologies that may appear in the future.    

ITPro

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Top 10 SAP Experts from the Netherlands to Follow on Twitter

Top 10 SAP Experts from the Netherlands to Follow on Twitter
Discover SAP experts from the Netherlands. If you are or want to become an SAP pro, these are the people you should include in your Twitter feed.

Discover SAP experts from the Netherlands. If you are an SAP pro in the Netherlands or would like to become one, these are the people you should include in your Twitter feed. Some are SAP insiders, while others are independent experts and consultants. All of them are worth a follow.

Discover our Ultimate S/4HANA Careers Guide

10 experts SAP from the Netherlands to follow on Twitter

As the IT environment is constantly evolving, it is crucial, if not necessary, to connect with the brightest minds to keep up with innovation. In other words, the more contacts you get, the more likely you are to solve IT challenges. Therefore, we at Mindquest are pleased to provide you with a list of the best SAP Experts from the Netherlands to follow.

Fred Verheul

@fredverheul

Firstly, Fred is an SAP Developer and Consultant at strategic SAP integrator SOA People, where he is helping grow the firm’s SAP HANA and Big Data practices. Fred is also a certified Scrum Master and was recognised with the 2017 SAP Community Citizenship Award for his many contributions to the SAP community.

Twan van den Broek

@tbroek

Twan is a Customer Innovation Architect at SAP, where he leads the SAP Experience Center in the Netherlands to help customers and partners develop personalised SAP experiences that benefit both the business and the end-user. Moreover, Twan has an extensive track record as a blogger and can often be found sharing his experiences and insight at seminars and industry events.

Robin van het Hof

@Qualiture

Robin is an SAP experience specialist with more than 13 years behind his back helping organisations develop and implement environments on the SAP NetWeaver platform. His expertise also covers the newer SAP Cloud Platform and SAPUI5/OpenUI5. In addition, Robin has his own company, Qualiture, and is an SAP Mentor and SAP HANA Distinguished Engineer.

Marleen Verhaag

@marleen_verhaag

Then, Marleen is SAP’s Senior Director Industries & Value Advisory for North EMEA, where she mainly focuses on helping financial services companies with strategic software solutions. She is also the Global Head of SAP’s Global Business Women’s Network, the largest SAP employee-driven network (75 chapters, 13,000+ members) helping women advance their careers and the company’s business.

Wim Snoep

@wsnoep

Wim is a Senior SAP Expert at INNOV8iON, a consultancy specialised in SAP technologies. He focuses on the SAP Cloud Platform, designing and developing innovative solutions by leveraging a mix of Machine Learning, IoT and SAP Fiori. Wim is also heavily involved in the Dutch SAP community and the country’s chapter of SAP Inside Track.

Jan Penninkhof   

@jpenninkhof

Jan is an Enterprise Architect at SAP, where he works together with businesses to co-develop next-gen enterprise architectures for SAP customers and partners. Jan describes himself as an SAP Cloud Platform addict and SAP Technology Ambassador. He often tweets about upcoming workshops and webinars and has been blogging for years.

Xavier Hacking

@xjhacking

Xavier is an SAP BI and SAP Analytics Cloud specialist working at consulting firm Interdobs. He is also a book author at SAP PRESS and an avid blogger. In addition to the educational content he regularly shares on Twitter, you can find his expert tips on his blog HackingSAP.com.

Wouter van Heddeghem

@SAP_Financials

Wouter is the SAP S/4HANA Finance Managing consultant at Capgemini. He has over two decades of experience working with SAP FICO in 15 countries, where he has helped leading multinational companies with a wide variety of SAP projects. Wouter helps customers define and implement the roadmap to S/4HANA Finance and transform processes accordingly.

Martijn van Foeken

@mfoeken

Martijn is SAP BI Consultant at Interdobs. He specialises in SAP BusinessObjects solutions, as well as in SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP HANA. Martijn regularly shares educational content on these platforms and contributes to their continuous improvement by submitting improvement requests.

Denys van Kempen

@dvankempen

Denys is Technology Expert at SAP focusing on SAP HANA and Analytics. He has been at SAP for more than 10 years, where he helps SAP’s Global Partner Organisation support partners with the company’s technologies. Denys is a true SAP advocate, blogging extensively and managing content for the SAP HANA Academy.

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10 of the Best SAP Experts in Germany to Follow Online

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Digital Job Descriptions

IT Vendor Manager : Job Description

IT Vendor Manager
The IT Vendor Manager leads the supplier selection process, determining which one offers the best value for the business...

Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive IT Vendor Manager job description to attract top talent.

The IT Vendor Manager position is becoming increasingly ubiquitous within the IT departments of large companies. Its spread is a side effect of another increasingly ubiquitous trend: that of outsourcing of technological and IT functions. More and more companies are deciding to call on external service providers rather than carrying out certain developments internally.

This professional intervenes when a company has to choose, for example, new management software, or when it needs to renew its IT equipment or decides to call on an IT service provider. This person leads the supplier selection process, determining which one offers the best value for the business and managing the entire relationship with them.

Also explore the role of the Cisco Network Engineer

What is the role of the IT Vendor Manager?

Clearly define the company’s needs in terms of IT equipment and services

To do the best possible job, the IT Vendor Manager must establish a solid line of communication with all stakeholders. Particularly with the IT teams and businesses users that will be impacted by the IT solutions and equipment in question. IT Vendor Manager must listen carefully to them and conduct a thorough analysis to define their needs.

Manage the relationship with suppliers

The expert also needs to play the role of negotiator and mediator. They are in constant contact with the company’s IT suppliers. They must monitor their performance and work on the optimisation of all outsourced services.

Deal with the administrative and financial aspects

They will also be responsible for the administrative and financial aspects of the contract with these suppliers. They will have to ensure compliance with service commitments and negotiate penalties for non-compliance.

Required skills of the IT Vendor Manager

Excellent communication skills

For operations to run smoothly, the IT Vendor Manager must demonstrate transparency and diplomacy both internally and externally. Here communication is key.

Technical expertise

To be more successful communicating, the IT Vendor Manager must understand all the ins and outs of the subject of the contract. They must have a good knowledge of software, computer hardware and IT services, as well as in-depth knowledge of their business applications.

Be organised and rigorous

The manager must manage all aspects related to the execution of a contract and must therefore have solid project management skills. They must also be very rigorous and good with numbers to ensure proper administrative and financial management.

Within the industry

The IT Vendor Manager can rise within a company’s IT department in any industry but is most commonly found in industries such as information technology, service companies, and public administration.

Salary of the IT Vendor Manager

The salary varies greatly depending on the size and complexity of the projects to be managed, as well as on the specifics of the company, but the average daily rate tends to fluctuate between €450 and €900.

Training of the IT Vendor Manager

To access this position, it is recommended to have a university degree as well as a master’s degree in computer science, business or engineering. As this profession is relatively new, there are currently no specific courses or training that will get you there.

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Weekly News: The Funny Side of AI

Weekly News: The Funny Side of AI
We are often discussing the dangerous implications of AI: bias, job losses... So it's refreshing to be able to talk about the funny side of AI.

We are often discussing the dangerous implications of AI and what we can do to address them: bias, job losses… So it’s refreshing to be able to talk about its more benign side effects. Discover the funny side of AI.

3 stories to discover the funny side of AI

Football or bald head?

Do you enjoy football? How about bald heads?

Since the start of the pandemic, the world of sports has had to forgo live audiences in favour of live streamings. Bigger teams and leagues can afford proper TV crews to cover their matches, but smaller teams need to be more creative.   

A football team in Inverness, Scotland decided to use an AI-enabled camera to track the football’s movements. Unfortunately, and to the delight of the whole world, the camera tracked the referee’s bald head instead of the ball. Best match ever.

TNW

IT Job Hunting Done Well: A Step-by-Step Guide

What drones are really for

Few technologies have received as much public hype as drone technology. We all have a friend who enjoys chasing flocks of sheep with their little quadcopter. If you don’t, then you might be that friend.

But what are drones actually good for?

The non-consumer applications that first come to mind tend to be rather pessimistic. Surveillance, warfare… There is an understandable trust deficit when it comes to drones, but the technology’s potential is huge if we manage to overcome it.

From humanitarian aid in dangers zones to remote delivery and agriculture, drones can be extremely helpful in helping us get where we need to get more easily and in time. 

TechRadar

Funny side of AI: Game over for 1809

Microsoft is discontinuing service for Windows 10 version 1809 starting on November 10, so make sure all your systems are upgraded accordingly.

The cut will affect Windows 10 1809 for Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core, which will stop receiving security updates and support.

Support for Windows 10 1803 for Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise will be extended until May 2021, as will the Enterprise and Education versions of 1809.    

TechRepublic

Discover more articles about AI

Read our article: AI, IBM Chips, and a Novel Cloud Security Concept: The Week in Tech News

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Horizon 2050

Nadia — Chapter V

Nadia
The story of Nadia, a quantum security expert in 2050 London. Follow the chapter I of the story of Nadia on Mission Control Center.

Follow the story of Nadia, a quantum security expert in 2050 London

Nadia, a story by Miquel Morales.

—

Jumping in now? Catch up with previous chapters.

Chapter V

“You know, it’s not the first time I deal with the likes of you. Nor it will be the last, for that matter.”

There is something unsettling about empty houses. Especially when they aren’t yours. Everything in the living room looked tidy and ready to be used, with only a thin layer of dust betraying how abandoned the place was.

As Tom had suggested, Nadia had made it out of the city under the cover of darkness. The paycard he had left her at the apartment had been useful. Tom had left her a burner phone as well. Seriously, though. What on Earth is going on? She had been played by this EVE. But how?

Nadia had gotten herself a headscarf and a cheap regular-speed train ticket to Coventry, hoping her friend would be there and willing to let her lay low for a while. Tina was her name. Her family had a big country house surrounded by fields of barley, which they mainly used in the Summer months. Nadia had been invited for a barbecue a few times with other people from college. She had met Tina in a physics class.  

Well, it wasn’t Summer, and there was no one in sight. But it was too late to go back to London, and she couldn’t risk staying at a hotel or something like that. RayStar had a big reach, and every modern establishment had AI-enabled security cameras these days. There was probably already an arrest order out there. She couldn’t risk any of her biometrics being picked up by the system.

Thankfully, Nadia was able to find a half-open window in the back of the house. Well, more like she had half-opened the window. Ooops. Anyway, she doubted they would mind at all. They had too much money in any case.

After hunting for snacks in the kitchen — cashews would do — Nadia did a full tour around the house and decided to settle down in the downstairs living room. It was nice and cosy, and the big windows would allow the upcoming morning light to wake her up early. She needed to devise a plan and get going. Staying for more than a day in that house would be too dangerous. But first, some rest.

She threw herself on a comfy couch and hugged a hand-knitted pillow with a big smile. Two seconds later she was falling into a deep slumber, her dreaming brain conjuring up old memories.    

Nadia woke up in a fright, her face covered in cold sweat from one of those nightmares only the subconscious remembers. IT was still dark. A hellish sound was coming out of her backpack. The phone. She picked it up. Unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Hey. It’s me.” Her sister.

“What the… Where are you, what’s going on?”

“246 Reinford Lane. Meet me there at noon.”

“What?”

Nadia threw the phone across the room in anger. The call had dropped. 

To be continued…

Read the next chapter: Nadia — Final Chapter

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Need tips on how to find a job in IT? Check out our IT job hunting guide.

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Growing your career: permanent & freelance IT Consultants

The ABC for Landing the Best IT Jobs

The ABC for Landing the Best IT Jobs
Here is a quick refresher of what you’ll need to cover to ensure you are aming for the best IT job according to your needs and aspirations.

Let’s get this out right off the bat. All jobs are fundamentally rewarding and can teach you at least one thing that you’ll be able to leverage for future assignments. But you will need a bit more focus if you want to go after the best IT jobs.

Outlining the best career path according to your needs and aspirations is an art, and; just like with every form of art; you need to start by mastering the basics. Here is a quick refresher of what you’ll need to cover to ensure you are building the career you want, one job at a time.

Need advice on how to start or develop your freelance consulting business in tech or IT? Need to start a new permanent or freelance assignment? Join Mindquest and get support from our team of experts.

Define your professional aspirations

First of all, you will have to figure out what type of assignments you want to pursue. It is at this point that the choice of company and industry becomes essential.

You should learn all you can about that sector and account for the long term. Keeping in mind where you are and where you would like to get to will allow you to develop and implement a solid career strategy that sets you on the right path. For example, if you want to be in the luxury sector, you will have to prioritise companies or industries that are at least linked to it.

Position yourself for the best IT jobs

Then you should define your set of skills and position yourself according to the type of projects you want to target.

You need to make inventory of your skills and update your CV accordingly. Making sure it is aligned with your profiles on social and professional networks like LinkedIn. Define your offering and highlight the capabilities you would like to develop through your next project. And don’t make things up. Recruiters are not stupid.

What you are offering should be in line with the strategic vision of the company or industry you are targetting. Therefore, it is important to understand the current state of the business as well as the possible needs that the company may have now and in the future.

Polish your brand and organise your activity

Finally, having a polished and coherent image is key. The image you project is vital because it reflects both your personal and professional brands. It should be aligned with your offering and the needs of the industry you are targeting to maximise your chances of attracting the attention of the right recruiters.

But your image is worth nothing if you can’t deliver on it. Most recruiters will ask for references from past companies for which you have worked.

Here self-organisation and the proper management of your time are key. There are several organisational tools out there that will make your life easier and will help you optimise your workflows.

Find your next assignment on our freelance and permanent IT recruitment platform, or join Mindquest so you don’t miss out on any job opportunity!

Need tips on how to find a job in IT? Check out our IT job hunting guide.

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Weekly News: Apple’s Siri is the new Google

Apple's Siri is the new Google
Apple's Siri is the new Google

According to a report by the Financial Times, Apple Siri may be the new Google. In other words, Apple might be working on their own search engine in a move to make Siri a one-stop shop. 

The rumours emerged at a time when big tech is under growing scrutiny for its monopolistic practices. 

Besides trying to capitalise on the current media agenda to appear more pro-competition, Apple Siri intends to eliminate the need for its popular assistant to resort to Google searches whenever a query is made. 

Experts, however, believe the move might be a stepping stone towards a full-fledged search engine that eliminates the Google factor altogether.

TechCrunch

Will Apple Siri be the new Google? Edge computing in 2021

In addition, a new Forrester report points at 5 predictions about how technological transformation will impact edge computing in 2021. 

Spending on edge computing is expected to grow at the detriment of the public cloud. Orchestration and 5G will also keep on spreading.

Edge hosting is likely to become its own marketplace, with content delivery companies reaching out to colocation partners to build a widely distributed network of data centres that can host applications closer to where they are used.

AI will also move towards the edge, making machine learning happen closer to the source rather than within the data centre. 

TechRepublic

An update on cloud

Microsoft is celebrating a record quarter, fuelled by the growth in cloud adoption brought about by the epidemic. 

The company’s core cloud business grew 31% over the last quarter, with Azure’s revenue jumping up by 47%.

Enterprise software giant SAP had a few cloud updates as well this week. The firm announced a new roadmap to shift to a co-innovation, one-data model that prioritises cloud-based subscriptions over traditional upfront licensing.    

Financial Times / ZDNet

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Cybersecurity Tech Magazine

Cybersecurity Careers Overview

Cybersecurity Careers Overview
It’s the perfect time to be a cybersecurity professional. Here are a few guidelines about cybersecurity careers to help you navigate the field.

When it comes to cybersecurity, one thing is certain: things only get more complex over time. Therefore, spurred by the global health crisis and the business world’s increasing reliance on IT systems, cybercrime is on the rise. At the same time, the industry is facing a rapidly widening talent gap that makes securing company networks and infrastructure doubly difficult. Moreover, the leading cybersecurity professional organization (ISC)² estimates that the global cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by 145% to meet the demand for skilled cybersec talent. Message received about cybersecurity careers: it’s the perfect time to be a cybersecurity professional

But it’s not always easy to identify the right career path in this ever-changing and all-encompassing area of IT. Here are a few guidelines to help you navigate the field. 

Three levels of roles  

All cybersecurity job titles fall within three levels or categories: entry-level, mid-level and advanced. Examples of jobs at the various jobs available depending on the level of experience include: 

  • Entry-level: System Engineer, System Administrator, Network Engineer, Security Specialist
  • Mid-level: Security Technician, Security Analyst, Incident Responder, IT Auditor, Cybersecurity Consultant, Penetration Tester
  • Advanced: Cybersecurity Manager, Cybersecurity Architect, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Cybersecurity careers : How to get a job

Although the previous distinction seems obvious at first glance—most careers have the same three levels—it is important to note that these don’t necessarily imply a linear progression, especially when looking to access mid-level cybersecurity roles.  

That is due to the fact that a large proportion of security experts started out as experienced IT professionals with deep technical expertise, only moving into cybersecurity after mastering the ins and outs of networking, cloud and other core areas related to the security practice. 

While accessing the cybersecurity industry through an entry-level role is possible and quite common—companies like to hire recent tech graduates who can quickly learn the basics and adapt to their particular workplace culture—most cybersec professionals are more on the senior side.  

According to (ISC)², the average cybersec pro has worked for 9 years in IT roles, having spent 5 of those working on cybersecurity-related projects. 

Top skills for cybersec pros 

Since cybersecurity has many specialisation fields, there is not a unique set of skills that applies to all positions. Those interested in more technical tracks will have to gain full proficiency of the protocols, environments, devices and applications that are important for their specific niche.  

Some of these technologies include: 

  • Operating systems & databases (Windows, Unix, Linux, SQL…) 
  • Programming (C, Python, shell, assembly languages…) 
  • Networking (configuration, TCP/IP, Proxy servers, firewall protection, VPNs…) 

Once that is covered, security pros tend to go onto focus on a particular field or family of technologies, including: 

  • Cisco and Microsoft 
  • Cloud computing 
  • Wireless 
  • Database modelling 
  • Cryptography 

In addition, managerial roles will require the ability to plan and conduct training, write technical specifications, evaluate risk and the compliance with legal regulations.   

Soft-skills are also critical for a successful career in cybersecurity. Team building and collaboration, a curious mind with a passion for solving puzzles, the business acumen to navigate corporate environments. All of these  

Cybersecurity careers: certify yourself 

Finally, and as it is often the case with technical careers, certifications are absolutely vital. There are several world-renowned organisations and companies offering certifications based on the area of focus: 

  • CompTIA 
  • EC Council 
  • (ISC)² 
  • ISACA 
  • Cisco Systems 
  • Microsoft 

Besides validating your expertise within the industry and justifying, for instance, a career change into cybersecurity, certifications will often allow you to earn more money. 

According to (ISC)² estimates, the average salary for cybersecurity experts holding a security certification is €60,000, way more than that of those who don’t —about €7,000 on average. 

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Digital Job Descriptions

SEO Expert : Job Description

SEO Expert
SEO, or natural referencing, has become a key point in generating quality traffic on a website. And users are growing more impatient. Enter the SEO Expert.

Use our template to create a compelling and comprehensive SEO Expert job description to attract top talent.

SEO, or natural referencing, has become a key point in generating quality traffic on a website. And users are growing more impatient: 91% of clicks are on the first page of the search engine. It is hence essential for a company to devote resources to maximising its online visibility. Enter the SEO Expert.

Also explore the role of the IoT Consultant

What is the role of the SEO Expert?

Performing an audit

The SEO Expert is often called upon by a company to review its SEO strategy. Their first mission is to analyse the current state of the site (metadata, keywords, etc.), the target, the impact (click-through rate, bounce rate, etc.), as well as the websites of competitors.

Strategy prescription

Once the analysis phase has been completed, the SEO Expert will be able to define an action plan and establish the strategy to be put in place to optimise the visibility of the site, according to the company’s sector of activity. Then it’s time to define the most effective keywords, optimise internal and external links, and reorganise the pages of the site depending on the positioning and objectives of the website.

Implementation and monitoring, performance measurement

They must then coordinate the implementation of all actions in conjunction with the technical teams. Experts must also manage the SEO teams if these exist, and work together with the content creation teams. They must put in place best practices and follow up to ensure their application. Finally, they must analyse whether the measures put in place have been effective and see if further actions are necessary.

Required skills of the SEO Expert

Knowledge of SEO tools and internet languages

Experts must have in-depth technical knowledge: they must know how to use basic SEO tools such as Google Analytics or Semrush as well as more specific tools. These tools are used during the analytical phase of a project and to measure the results of the actions implemented. It is also useful to have knowledge of HTML, CSS or even Javascript.

Analytical mind and rigour

The SEO Expert must be perfectly comfortable with numbers and master the (many) KPIs essential to their activity. They must also be organised and show great rigour, prioritising tasks and building a precise action plan. Since SEO is a discipline that evolves very quickly, the expert must update their knowledge very regularly, in particular regarding search engine algorithms.

Interpersonal skills

The SEO expert must be a good communicator. They have to work in conjunction with several teams and relay information. The Expert must also have deep knowledge of the company’s field of activity to design a proper SEO strategy. That also involves knowing how to put themselves in the shoes of the target audience.

Within the industry

The SEO profession is increasingly popular because of the thousands of websites being created every day. Companies are engaged in real battles of visibility, and the SEO Expert is at their forefront. SEO experts can work in an agency, in the marketing department of a company, or operate as independent consultants.

Salary of the SEO Expert

The average daily rate fluctuates between €250 and €600.

Training of the SEO Expert

To access this role, it is recommended to have a university degree from a marketing or engineering school.

It is possible to start with a professional license (e.g. SEO or web editor), then complete a master’s degree in digital communication, multimedia and e-commerce.

The competition is strong and it is often necessary to garner several years of experience before obtaining the desired position.