Are you hiring your first in-house SEO specialist? With AI tools changing the digital landscape, you may wonder which skills matter most. Should you look for candidates who excel at using AI, or focus on traditional SEO expertise?
This is a common question for marketing managers today. As AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI become more popular, the right skill set for SEO is evolving. Let’s break down what you should look for in your next SEO hire—and how Cyberset can help you build a winning digital marketing team.
Traditional SEO Skills Still Matter
Even with AI on the rise, core SEO skills remain essential. These include technical SEO, content creation, and authority building. Let’s look at why these skills are still valuable in 2025 and beyond.
Technical SEO: Foundation for Success
Technical SEO ensures your website is crawlable, indexable, and user-friendly. Search engines need to access and understand your content. If they can’t, your site won’t rank—no matter how advanced your AI tools are.
Today’s best SEO pros use AI to automate site audits and speed up technical checks. But human expertise is still needed to analyze issues, set priorities, and communicate fixes. Look for candidates who blend technical know-how with a willingness to embrace automation.
If you want to optimize your website’s technical foundation, Cyberset’s Search Engine Optimization and Professional Custom Website Development services can help you stay ahead of the curve.
Content Skills: Human Touch Still Wins
AI can generate articles and product descriptions, but it can’t fully replace human creativity. You still need SEO specialists who know how to craft engaging, brand-aligned content. They should understand your audience and create copy that guides users through every stage of the buyer’s journey.
Great content comes from research—whether it’s keyword analysis or prompt engineering for AI tools. Your SEO hire should know how to brief writers, use AI for efficiency, and ensure every piece of content meets your goals.
Cyberset’s Content Marketing and WordPress Web Design services can help you deliver high-quality, SEO-friendly content that resonates with your target market.
Authority Building: Relationships Matter
Earning backlinks and mentions from reputable sites is still a key ranking factor. AI tools can help you find outreach opportunities, but building real relationships with publishers and influencers takes a human touch.
Look for SEO candidates with experience in digital PR, link building, and brand reputation management. The best hires know how to connect with journalists and bloggers, securing valuable mentions that boost your authority.
Cyberset’s Social Media Marketing and Local Internet Marketing can amplify your brand’s reach and help you build lasting authority online.
Analytical Skills: AI Assists, Humans Decide
AI can crunch data, spot trends, and generate reports. But you still need a skilled SEO to interpret results, validate recommendations, and set strategy. Your ideal hire should use AI for analysis, but rely on their own judgment to make decisions that drive growth.
Strategic Thinking: The Human Edge
Great SEOs see the big picture. They use AI tools for routine tasks, but draw on their own experience to shape strategy, manage stakeholders, and adapt to changes. AI can’t build trust with your leadership team or inspire creative campaigns. That’s why strategic thinking is a must-have skill.
Skills for the Future: Adaptability and Curiosity
SEO is always evolving. The best hires are curious, experimental, and ready to learn. They’re comfortable with uncertainty and can pivot quickly when algorithms or platforms change.
- They experiment and apply new ideas.
- They thrive in fast-changing environments.
- They solve problems creatively—even when AI can’t.
Look for candidates who embrace change and enjoy testing new strategies. This mindset will keep your SEO efforts future-proof.
AI and SEO: Why You Need Both
So, should you hire for AI skills or traditional SEO expertise? The answer is both. Your ideal SEO specialist should be comfortable using AI tools to boost productivity, but also have a strong foundation in classic SEO best practices.
Don’t hire someone just because they know how to use the latest AI platform. Make sure they can adapt, think strategically, and solve problems on their own. This balance will help your business stay competitive as search evolves.
Interview Tips: Find the Right Fit
When interviewing SEO candidates, focus on these areas:
- Ask how they’ve adapted to past changes in SEO.
- Find out how they use AI to improve their workflow.
- Test their problem-solving skills with real scenarios.
- Explore their experience with content, outreach, and analytics.
- See if they can explain complex topics in simple terms.
Look for curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for learning. These traits are just as important as technical skills.
How Cyberset Can Support Your SEO Growth
Cyberset offers a full suite of digital marketing solutions to help your business grow. Whether you need SEO, content marketing, email marketing, or website design, our experts blend traditional skills with the latest AI-powered tools. We also specialize in ecommerce website development and pay per click marketing to help you reach your audience and boost ROI.
With Cyberset, you get a team that understands both the fundamentals and the future of SEO. We help you hire, train, and support SEO specialists who deliver real results.
Key Takeaways
- Traditional SEO skills are still essential.
- AI tools make SEO more efficient, but don’t replace human expertise.
- Hire candidates who blend technical, creative, and strategic skills.
- Look for adaptability, curiosity, and a passion for learning.
- Partner with Cyberset to build a strong, future-ready SEO team.
Ready to strengthen your digital marketing? Contact Cyberset to learn how we can support your SEO, content, and web development needs.
