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 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.
By Kristina Gerdov May 13, 2025
In 2025, personal branding isn't just a buzzword – it's important for anyone navigating the job market. The uncomfortable truth is this; you're likely being Googled more often than you're being interviewed. In a digital-first world, your personal brand can potentially boost your career prospects. So how can you leverage it to stand out during your job hunt? 1. Your brand is what people say when you're not in the room Personal branding isn’t just about the polished version of yourself that you post on LinkedIn. It’s what others say about you when you’re not around. Consider how you’re being perceived online and offline. Is your brand consistent, authentic, and aligned with your career aspirations? What would potential employers say about you when they Google you? To start refining your personal brand, think about your values, your goals, and how you want others to perceive you. This means showcasing your strengths, yes, but also acknowledging your struggles and learning moments. Authenticity can give you a competitive edge. 2. Lead with curiosity, not just expertise Publicly asking thoughtful, insightful questions. It positions you as someone who is constantly learning, open to feedback, and not afraid to explore new ideas – a thought provoker and idea leader in your space. In the job hunt, this quality can set you apart from others who might be more focused on offering answers than asking the right questions. So, when you’re engaging with others online or in an interview, try focusing on asking questions that spark deeper discussions. Your curiosity and willingness to learn can make a lasting impression. 3. Your personal brand is about becoming known for the right things Remember, personal branding isn’t about trying to become famous. It’s about being known for the right things – the things that align with your career goals and the value you want to offer to employers. For job seekers, this means ensuring that your online presence and interactions reflect your expertise, passion, and ambition. When crafting your personal brand, be deliberate. Think about the skills, values, and personality traits you want to highlight. 4. Be consistent and intentional The foundation of a strong personal brand is consistency. Your personal brand is built in the small, everyday actions – how you engage with your network. Consistency in your interactions helps shape how people perceive you and helps create a brand that’s memorable. If you're job hunting, it's critical to show up consistently both online and offline. This includes engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn, contributing to discussions, and demonstrating professionalism in all your interactions. 5. Small steps to narrow the gap So, what's the gap between how you see yourself and how others might perceive you? The goal isn’t perfection, but making small, consistent adjustments that move you closer to aligning your internal brand with how you’re seen externally. It could be tweaking your LinkedIn profile, starting a blog, or sharing your expertise. What’s one small thing you could do this week to move the needle and narrow that gap? Whether it’s posting a thoughtful comment on a relevant post, reaching out to someone in your industry, or sharing a story of a recent challenge, small actions can have a big impact over time. 6. Share struggles, Not just wins When it comes to personal branding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only sharing successes. However, some of the most credible personal brands are built on transparency – sharing the struggles and lessons learned along the way. It’s interesting to see how you handle setbacks, not just your triumphs. Embracing imperfection in your personal brand helps paint a fuller picture of who you are. Whether it’s sharing a challenging project you worked on or a time when you faced a setback and how you overcame it, these stories can help demonstrate your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and growth mindset – qualities employers are eager to see. In today’s market, personal branding isn’t just a nice-to-have. By being intentional, consistent, and authentic, you can build a personal brand that resonates with potential employers, ultimately setting you up for success in your job hunt. So, there’s no better time to start than now.
By Kristina Gerdov April 3, 2025
Starting a new role is so exciting but can sometimes feel like a whirlwind—there’s so much to take in. That’s why we’ve broken it down into a simple 30-60-90 day plan—to help you settle in, make an impact early, get aligned on your KPIs, and feel a sense of achievement from day one.
more posts