Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is usually discussed in the context of websites and digital marketing, but it has a direct role in recruitment too. Both recruiters and candidates are engaged in the same battle: climbing the rankings to be seen first. At The Career Experts (TCE), we help candidates understand these dynamics, so they can position themselves where it matters most—at the top of the pile.
What Do We Mean by SEO in Recruitment?
At its core, SEO is about visibility. In recruitment, “ranking” doesn’t just apply to Google results—it applies to:
- Job Boards: Candidate profiles ranked higher when recruiters search.
- LinkedIn: Profiles pushed to the top of recruiter search results.
- ATS Systems: CVs surfaced first when recruiters apply keyword filters.
Whether online or in an ATS, the principle is the same: the closer you are to the top, the higher the chance of being seen, shortlisted, and hired.
How Candidate SEO Works
Just like websites, candidates can optimise themselves to rank better. This includes:
- Keyword Optimisation: Using the exact terms recruiters search for (e.g., “FP&A Analyst” not just “Finance Analyst”).
- Profile Structure: Ensuring CVs and LinkedIn profiles are clean, parser-friendly, and rich with searchable terms.
- Content Signals: Activity on LinkedIn—posts, comments, articles—can improve visibility in recruiter searches.
- Consistency Across Platforms: Ensuring job titles, skills, and industries align between CVs, job boards, and LinkedIn.
Why Climbing the Rankings Matters
Recruiters often don’t look past the first 20 profiles or CVs surfaced by a search. If you’re not optimised, you may never even be seen. The candidate who looks “most qualified” on paper is not always the one hired—the one who ranks higher and is found first has the advantage.
The Career Experts’ Perspective
At TCE, we treat your CV and LinkedIn profile as your personal SEO campaign. We ensure:
- Your documents and profiles are keyword-optimised for your target roles.
- You are positioned strategically to match recruiter search behaviour.
- You have the digital presence needed to climb rankings and stay visible.
This is not about “gaming the system”—it’s about understanding how modern recruitment works and ensuring you are in the right place, at the right time, with the right positioning.
Final Thought
Recruitment today is a search game. If you’re not climbing the rankings, you’re invisible. By approaching your career marketing with an SEO mindset, you shift from passively applying for roles to actively being discovered and shortlisted. At TCE, we give you the tools and positioning to climb higher, faster, and with more control over your outcomes.
