Market insights for hiring managers

Dene Gambotto • June 28, 2021

What’s happening with recruitment in the client-side and agency marketing industry right now? 

The market has well and truly picked up to levels we haven’t seen in a long time, with new briefs for roles at an all-time high. Strong candidates are being snapped up quickly so unless agencies and companies can move candidates through the process relatively quickly, they miss out. 

The biggest challenge is that the market for talent has never been tighter, so roles are taking longer to fill, and hiring managers are faced with far less choice. 

Why is there a talent shortage? 

​Working Holiday Maker visas are down by 99.68% from April 2019 - March 2020 vs April 2020 - March 2021. As a market, we relied heavily on Working Holiday Makers to fill many junior permanent and contract marketing and advertising opportunities, and this, combined with the recruitment freezes in 2020, is having the knock-on effect of a lack of available talent particularly at the junior-mid level, or roles around the $70-90k mark. 

It's worth noting that 32% of roles in 2019 were filled by overseas talent - with close to zero WHV in 2020 – it sets 2021 up for a rather tight talent year. 

It's a candidate short market 

A common misperception is Covid-19 means there are lots of people unemployed looking for jobs, when in fact, a lot of agencies and businesses didn’t make any redundancies, they simply reduced their employee’s days or hours, which have now reverted back to full time. They also did not hire junior talent/grads throughout 2020.   

Applications per job are down. From 2019 to 2020 we saw a 50% decline and already this year we’re sitting at a further 30% decline of applicants from 2020 

The desire to change roles for candidates is low, as many have found that with the new flexible working arrangements they are enjoying their role more. Candidates are also communicating that job security is important to them. 

Our top tips for hiring managers 

  • Be quick! Don't delay in your turnaround times for booking interviews, giving feedback and making offers. Good candidates are looking at multiple roles, don’t let good talent get away. 
  • Be ready to increase your budget – we’re seeing salaries being offered up to 5-15% above market rates since the start of the year. 
  • We know Zoom is convenient, but it's time to get back to face to face interviews. Candidates want to be able to come into the office and get a feel for the company and culture which is impossible over a video meeting. 
  • Be flexible and think outside the box. Can your contract role be a permanent one? Can you offer flexibility in hours or working from home?   
  • If you’re working with a recruiter, give them a comprehensive brief. The more information they have to excite the candidate about the role and company the better chance you’ll have of securing the best talent. 
  • Wherever possible make it a permanent hire! Available freelancers are virtually non-existent so if there is any way to make your role permanent, you’ll have far more options to choose from. 

Get in touch with our team if you want to chat more about the current market, and reach out if we can help you with sourcing great candidates for your roles.



Sheryn Small - sheryn@iknowho.com.au

Kahli Fenn - kahli@iknowho.com.au 

Dene Gambotto - dene@iknowho.com.au

By Kristina Gerdov November 26, 2025
The final months of the year can feel like a sprint for many marketing teams. Campaigns wrap up, planning cycles ramp up, and suddenly there’s more work than hands to deliver it. If you’re feeling the pinch, a short-term freelancer or contractor might be exactly what your team needs - fast, flexible support without the long-term commitment. How a short burst of talent can keep your projects moving: 1. They hit the ground running Freelancers and contractors are used to adapting quickly. They step into new environments often, so onboarding is light-touch and momentum stays high. Short term freelancers are available and can usually start within a week. They offer the flexibility and agility needed to meet rapidly changing workloads & high project timelines. 2. Perfect for “we just need this done” projects From content bursts to campaign delivery, CRM builds or social execution - project-based specialists can take something off your plate entirely. Their diverse experience working with different businesses and brands results in also bringing a new perspective & injecting fresh energy into the team. 3. Flexible, budget-friendly resourcing Short-term contracts give you the expertise you need only when you need it. No tied-up headcount, no long commitment and using our payroll services can help you get around head count issues too. 4. They help protect your team’s bandwidth Instead of stretching your people thin (or risking burnout), temporary support keeps things moving without compromising quality. Many agency suits and marketers build a career through freelancing. 5. Competitive Rates iknowho freelancers are paid a day rate which includes a loading for leave entitlements. There are no upfront fees, you only pay for the days they work. Download our salary guide for day rate equivalents, or use our day rate calculator here . Where we’re seeing the highest demand Campaign execution & go-to-market support Content, social & creative delivery Email, CRM & lifecycle marketing projects Generalist marketers to support BAU Project managers for short sprints Marketing operations support The real benefit? Momentum. Short-term freelancers keep work flowing during the busiest, most pressure-filled periods. They make sure nothing stalls and that your team stays focused on the high-value work only they can deliver. If you’re weighing up whether temporary support could help, the answer is usually yes. And we’re here to make it easy. Reach out to one of our experienced Talent Partners to discuss your needs today.
By Kristina Gerdov September 3, 2025
For many growing businesses, marketing is often something that gets added to the to-do list of already busy managers or existing teams. A social post here, an email there, and maybe a campaign when there’s time. But without dedicated expertise, marketing rarely delivers the consistency and commercial results your brand needs to grow. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to bring in a dedicated marketing resource, here are the key things to consider and how to ensure your first hire is set up for success. 1. The Telltale signs If your demand generation has stalled, you’re struggling to convert interest into sales, or your brand presence feels disjointed, it’s time to stop relying on ad-hoc efforts. A dedicated marketer can build and execute a strategic plan that drives consistent results and positions your brand for long-term growth. 2. What to avoid It can be tempting to look for a “jack-of-all-trades” who can do a little bit of everything. The reality? Even the most talented marketer will struggle without clear goals and defined outcomes on what the business is looking to achieve. Hiring without clarity can lead to underwhelming results and frustration on both sides. Be specific about the expertise you need and the outcomes you expect. 3. Why this hire is so important to get right Your first marketing hire is more than just another role, it often lays the foundation for your brands future growth engine. The right hire can build momentum and shape how your future team evolves. The wrong hire however, can stall progress, waste budget, and leave you back at square one. 4. Fractional vs full-time Not quite ready for a permanent commitment? Fractional marketers can be a great short-term solution to get things moving while you build the case for a full-time hire. Just be clear on their remit. Fractional marketers are ideal for campaigns, projects, or interim support, but they’re not typically suited to long-term brand building or team development. 5. What kind of marketer do you actually need? Marketing as a discipline is broad, as are the tools used to reach your desired target audience. Do you need someone to drive digital acquisition, manage partnerships, develop content, or build brand strategy? Start by clarifying your business’s biggest priorities and pain points, then match the skillset accordingly. The clearer you are upfront, the better the outcome. 6. How to set them up for success Hiring the right person is only half the job. To see results and maximum impact, you need to set your new hire up for success. This means: Clear KPIs so they know what good Vs great looks like The marketing tools and access to the resources they need to deliver  Integration into cross-functional conversations with key decision-makers from day one Bec Godkin, Senior Talent Partner says “Marketing can’t succeed in a silo. The deeper your marketer is connected across the business and understands the various levers that shape success, the greater their impact will be” Hiring your first marketer is an exciting step - it signals growth, ambition, and the desire to build something bigger. By being clear on what you need, avoiding common pitfalls, and setting your hire up for success, you’ll give your business the best chance to thrive. At iknowho , we specialise in helping brands make their first marketing hire. If you’d like to talk through what kind of marketer is right for your business, we’re here to help.
By Kristina Gerdov June 25, 2025
Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.
more posts