Well,I am from Bulgaria.I am in the internet marketing field for 2 years now.My main focus is on Organic SEO and Link Building (50/50).I am currently working for one of the leading Bulgarian internet companies.Before that I had about 4 years of experience as a freelance web developer and designer.I also have some background in software development,server administration and networking.
I consider SEO to be one of the most difficult things in the web (if done right).For me a good SEO-er/SEM manager should have:
1.Excellent knowedge in Web Design,Internet marketing and SEO/SEM specific stuff (things that you do not learn in any other area listed here);
2.Very good knowedge in Linguistics,Psyhology,Web development,Server Administration,Network Tehcnologies;
3.Good knowedge in Statistics.
Very good level of general education is also important,I think it gives you a way of seeing the “big picture”.
I still do not consider myself a SEO Expert (although I have some pretty good results in my portfolio) but I try to never stop improving my knowedge in the areas listed above.
Jim’s Blog is on my list of 30 or so carefully chosen blogs that cover SEO,SEM and Internet Marketing.And yes,I read them on a daily basis,when possible.