Robert Half International has written an article for Career Builder entitled “Four Jobs on the Cutting Edge“.

One of these jobs is “Search Engine Optimizer” :-) The goal of an SEO? “Search engine optimizers (SEOs) increase a firm’s Web site traffic by improving its search-engine page rankings.”

The article goes on to state “Most are self-taught, learning the trade by researching trends, attending conferences and seminars, participating in discussion forums, and experimenting with their own sites.”

And that “Because of a shortage of experts in this relatively new area, many top SEOs receive multiple job offers.”

We can certainly attest to the fact that most SEO’s are self taught…the multiple job offers though really depends upon the city you live in and if you are willing to move for a job. Here in Canada, Toronto appears to be the hotspot for SEO jobs these days, whereas Vancouver was the hotspot (and may still be) a couple of years ago.

On that note, DriveTraffic would like to take this opportunity to let you know that we are looking to grow our family by adopting an intern who desires to learn everything there is to know about search engine marketing. We don’t have a job description in place yet but if you are interested, visit our website and drop us an email.

I have just come across (twice in 24 hours actually!) a free virtual class on link building that is being offered by Jennifer Laycock, author of “The Small Business Guide to Search Engine Marketing” and editor of Search Engine Guide.

Jennifer will talk about how to use link research and link analytics to build and manage an online reputation that drives more visitors to your site.

Attendees will also learn:

• Behavior-based link building techniques
• How to find and encourage valuable traffic (that might not show up on your top 10 lists)
• How to spot unexpected trends that identify new visitor sources
• How to spot the types of sites that send high quality visitors
• How to tailor future link building campaigns for optimum exposure
• Why it’s sometimes essential to respond when someone links to you

Known for her down-to-earth style of teaching, Laycock will inspire you with ideas without leaving your head spinning with techno-talk. Find out the tricks and tips that she shares with small business owners and learn how you can put them to use for any size site to improve your online reputation and to keep those customers flowing.

You’ll watch the live class online. The simultaneous audio feed lets you follow along with the discussion and ask questions in real time.

The virtual class is being offered through ClickTracks Web Analytics company on Monday July 10 or Tuesday July 11. See more details and sign up for the course.

While you are at it, you may want to check out Zero Dollars, a Little Talent and Thirty Days is a Search Engine Guide article series that follows entrepreneur and writer Jennifer Laycock as she tries to start a successful online business in just thirty days without spending a dime out of pocket.

You can download the compilation of the article series for free - if you like the book, Jennifer asks for a donation via PayPal, or a link to the carcasherdotcom seocontest milk bank fundraiser page.

For years I have taught search engine marketing online. Now I am going to be a student at eClasses.org, taking “Record & Publish Videos for the Web” with Peggi Rogers, using Camtasia Studio software. This looks like it will be an interesting opportunity to demonstrate multi-step concepts such as using WordTracker software.

One more tool in the belt hopefully!