I’ve been working with search engine and affiliate marketing for about two years now. For the most part I’ve been working with direct marketing websites run by just one person and myself, more as a partner than as an employee. I’ve successfully managed ppc campaigns on many different engines, managed affiliates, optimized landing pages etc – basically I’ve been assisting with running the whole website. Although profitable, it’s always been on a smaller scale and never in a real business setting.

I’m now very interested in getting more stable long-term work in-house at an agency or business where I can continue to develop and build my experience. The problem is I have very little in terms of documentation that shows what I really know. I’ve become a certified adwords professional and yahoo ambassador, and have attended several seminars. Does anyone have any advice for how to make the cross-over from self –employed search engine marketer to in-house?

Thanks!

I don't think experience needs to be in a "real" business setting. There must be *something* you can document: increased profits by X%, improved search engine rankings and conversions by X, etc. Document the results you've gotten from your SEM efforts and build a resume around them. Also include your professional certifications and seminars, as well as campaign management skills. So few people have these skills that I honestly don't think it matters if you worked in a Fortune 500 company or a one-man shop - if you've got the experience, people are interested.

Great question. In a way, I envy you. My experience is more in SEO than PPC. You'd think that would be more marketable, but lots more companies look for PPC managers because - simply - it's easier for them to spend that money and hold someone accountable than actual SEO.

You can find plenty of work with your PPC experience and your certifications will be important. You definitely need to write your resume correctly to reflect your experience.

I would get creative and unconventional with your resume, especially if you don't have experience working at Company A and Company B etc. If you've done a lot of work per website, I'd say list your website, list your PPC and affiliate experience/accomplishments there and leave it like that.

To be honest, that format would probably get you more attention than a conventional resume.

Put it out there on the major boards - lots of recruiters scour those boards looking for people with experience. I still get plenty of recruiters hounding me.

If you want me to help you, you can PM me.