Untold Stories from the Fast-Paced World of an SEO Specialist: Memoir of a Chuckle
Ever wondered what the most interesting thing that happened to an SEO specialist at work might be? Well, prepare for a hearty chuckle as I share some of the more peculiar dramas from my journey in the ever-evolving field of search engine optimization (SEO).
The Tale of a Cryptic Rumor
It was a day after the infamous Taj attack, and less than a fortnight post-9/11, when the unthinkable happened. While I was taking three second-year classes at the BJB College in Bhubaneswar, a rumor circulated like wildfire through the campus—someone had planted a bomb in the college. Panic ensued, and the students fled. But wait, here comes the punchline: it’s me, the only person remaining in the classroom. Yes, that’s right, as the story goes, I left the class last! It’s a quirky anecdote, isn’t it?
The Art of Not Remembering One's Own CV
Fast forward to another memorable day. I had an interview as an article trainee at a chartered accountants office. The interview commenced with the usual formalities:
Interviewer: Good afternoon.
Me: A very good afternoon sir.
Interviewer: Looking at my CV, you prepared this CV?
Me: Yes, sir.
Interviewer: Then you must remember all that you have written, right?
Me: Of course, sir. Oh no! I had copied my CV from my friend who had just had his interview before me, but I couldn’t recall a single detail from it. My friend had anticipated this, predicting that I had copied the CV.
Interviewer: What is the first thing you have written in it, I’ll give you options—career objective, educational credentials, or anything else?
Me: Trying very hard to memorize but completely blank after three seconds. The third option.
Interviewer: Are you sure?
Me: Yes, sir.
The interviewer's smile broadened, and my fate was sealed. Could I handle the next question? The tension was palpable. After a brief moment, the examiner asked, "What is the last thing written in it?"
Interviewer: Smiling, extra curricular activities, competencies, position of responsibilities, or anything else?
Me: What? Sir, fourth option. My answer was never even close to what I had expected. But the smile broadened even more, and he said, "Well, you are selected."
At the Heart of Customer Service
Segueing into the world of customer service, I remember an incident where I was tasked with a customer whose annual spend on software was a staggering million dollars. This customer had his fill of my employer and had no intention of spending a dime more with them. This customer, like none other, drove my workday as I navigated through his grilling questions and his past grievances.
Me: I was assigned a customer who couldn’t do without our software and claimed they would never spend another dime with us.
Interviewer: Your first call to the CIO, Joe, was brutal. He enjoyed beating on me. According to my notes, he detailed some valid reasons for hating my employer. I returned—but to his surprise—and continued to market to him as I repaired the problems left by my predecessor. My employer warned me that I was wasting valuable time and told me to stop. I didn’t stop because my job was “doing the right thing for the customer” according to company brochures.
Turning Conflict into a Friendly Discourse
One afternoon, Joe called me in to discuss software support discontinuance. What followed was a 6-hour discussion on capitalism, the costs associated with supporting outdated software, and the reasons he should consider upgrading. As we discussed newer, faster hardware that would provide better service, Joe’s demeanor began to change. To my surprise, one day he called me into his office to tell me he wanted to meet my boss. Initially, I was worried because he had met with her predecessor, which hadn’t gone well. To my astonishment, he explicitly praised me and told her they were ready to place a multi-million dollar order with us.
Concluding Thoughts
From bomb scares to CV-fueled interviews and the unexpected turn of customer relations, the tales of an SEO are as unpredictable as they are fascinating. Each story, although entertaining, highlights the multifaceted nature of our roles and the unique challenges we face daily. Welcome to the world where every day brings a new adventure!