Interviews definitely work both ways and it’s important to get off on the right foot with an employer that matches your values. Jen will help you to put potential employers through a Squid Games-style game of ‘Red Light, Green Light’ to see which interviewers fall and which make the final cut for your new role.

1. Red Light, Green Light:
Interviewing Potential Employers
@penaluna_jen /jenniferpenaluna

2. ● Started my SEO career 4 ½ years ago (all agency side).
● Began in content > Moved to sales > Managed an SEO team of 6 >
Moved agencies to a senior but not people-management position
(but watch this space).
● Been the interviewer and the interviewee.
● Passionate about helping people to be happy in their jobs.
● Dog mum to two dachshunds.
About Me
@penaluna_jen

3. This is You
@penaluna_jen

4. These Are Your Potential Employers
@penaluna_jen

5. From posting job descriptions, to
sliding into your DMs, to interviewing.
You’re looking at them closely, to
ensure they don’t fall at red lights, and
pass enough green lights to make it to
your shortlist.
@penaluna_jen
This is you watching potential
employers make their moves

6. Round 1:
Job Ads
@penaluna_jen

7. @penaluna_jen
Red Light
1. “Due to recent growth…”
2. Here’s all your responsibilities
3. Salary: Competitive
4. Benefits: Onsite parking and casual dress
5. No mention of flexible working options

8. @penaluna_jen
Due to recent growth, we are looking for XYZ.
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nunc vitae mollis. Morbi ultricies sed justo ac consequat.
Role Responsibilities:
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● Curabitur eleifend urna eget sem suscipit, et pellent.
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● Vivamus mollis magna non massa gravida sagittis.
● Curabitur eleifend urna eget sem suscipit, placerat.
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Salary: Competitive
Benefits:
● Onsite parking
● Casual dress
● Legal holiday entitlement
Small company intro
Straight into list of responsibilities
No clues given about salary
Benefits are minimal

9. @penaluna_jen
Green Light
1. Explanation of current team setup and
business aims
2. Benefits of working with us
3. Salary: between £X-£Y for this role
4. Flexibility expectations
5. Your responsibilities
6. Additional perks

10. @penaluna_jen
Our team is expanding from 4 to 5 people.
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vitae mollis. Morbi ultricies sed justo ac consequat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur dictum nec nunc vitae mollis. Morbi ultricies
sed justo ac consequat.
Why Work With Us?
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● Curabitur eleifend urna eget sem suscipit, et pellent.
● Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
● Vivamus mollis magna non massa gravida sagittis.
Salary Range
● £X-£Y.
Flexibility Options:
● Remote or Hybrid (specify if a set number of days WFH/Office-based)
● Core hours
Role Responsibilities
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● Vivamus mollis magna non massa gravida sagittis.
● Curabitur eleifend urna eget sem suscipit, et pellent.
● Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Specific detail on why they’re recruiting
Longer company description
Straight into why to work for them
Salary range given
Expectations of flexibility given
Responsibilities give you a feel for the role, not
every tiny detail of what you may be doing

11. @penaluna_jen
How Many Potential Employers
Didn’t Make It?

12. Round 2:
Sliding into DMs
@penaluna_jen

13. @penaluna_jen
Red Light
1. Haven’t looked at your LinkedIn profile
2. InMail
3. Here’s an irrelevant job spec
4. Here’s a job that’s miles away and office-based

14. @penaluna_jen
(InMail: SEO Executive)
Hi Jen,
I’m looking for an SEO Executive here at XYZ company.
Here is the job spec attached if you want to apply.
Please reply that you’re not interested if you’re not interested or can
you refer anyone else for this role?
Best Wishes,
Person recruiting
InMail. I’m probably just a number.
Starts about them and what they need
Standard job spec they’re sending to
everyone and “if I want to apply”
Showing you’re not special, they just want
to fill the role

15. @penaluna_jen
Green Light
1. Looks at your LinkedIn profile
2. I think you would be perfect for this role
3. Here’s a job spec
4. Here’s why we’re a great company to work with
5. Here’s the approximate salary range
6. Some additional perks

16. @penaluna_jen
Hi Jen,
I’m impressed by your experience and would love to discuss a Senior
SEO position with at XYZ.
Here’s a link to the role on our website and please let me know if you
have any questions about the position or company and I’d be happy to
help.
XYZ is a great place to work because [lists tangible benefits].
The salary range for this role is between £X-£Y.
Happy to have a confidential conversation if you’d like to learn more
about us.
Best Wishes,
Person recruiting
*Checks and they’ve looked at your profile first*
Making it about me and a relevant role
Sending you to their website to have a look
around
Highlighting their benefits, why might I leave my
current role for this?
Salary range!
Friendly message, showing they’re happy to have
an informal chat first

17. Round 3:
Flexibility
@penaluna_jen

18. @penaluna_jen
Red Light
1. New office, so you’ll be in it
2. WFH is possible
3. Fast-paced
4. Expected to work late for the needs of the business

19. @penaluna_jen
Green Light
1. Choose where you work
2. OR office/Remote depending on your choice
3. Core hours
4. Flexible working hours

20. @penaluna_jen
We’ve got rid of a few more

21. Round 4:
Training & Progression
@penaluna_jen

22. @penaluna_jen
Red Light
1. “Yes, we do training” with no specifics
2. “You’ll learn on the job”
3. Expected to complete courses in personal time
4. Yearly appraisal
5. “You can talk to your manager any time!”

23. @penaluna_jen
Green Light
1. We have *this* approach to training
2. We recently invested in X training for the team
3. What would *you* like to develop your skills in?
4. We use *this* approach to progression
5. Scheduled monthly catch ups with manager

24. Round 5:
Workloads
@penaluna_jen

25. @penaluna_jen
Red Light
1. 100% client resourced
2. Not being able to explicitly say only X% is allocated to
client work
3. People who respond outside of working hours are
praised for their “commitment”

26. @penaluna_jen
Green Light
1. We operate at 70% client capacity per person
2. We dedicate X% time per month for training and
personal development
3. Turning Slack notifications off outside of working
hours is actively encouraged
4. Responding to emails on annual leave is
discouraged

27. @penaluna_jen
Happy Job Hunting!

28. Follow Me On Twitter
For SEO & Sausage Dogs
@penaluna_jen