Ever Had an Interview That Was All Over the Shop?

Right now, it feels like every marketing conversation starts (and ends) with AI . From automated content creation to predictive analytics, technology is shaping the industry in big ways. But if you’re building a successful marketing career , or even hiring for one, AI isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. Because here’s the thing: people connect with people, not brands. In our work in marketing recruitment across Australia and New Zealand , we’ve seen time and again that the candidates who stand out aren’t just technically strong. They bring something extra: the soft skills that help them connect, inspire, and lead. Why Soft Skills Still Matter in Marketing Jobs From user-generated content campaigns to high-performing social posts, the marketing that cuts through is the content that feels real . The stuff that solves genuine problems, highlights real benefits, or resonates with daily life. Often, the “rough-and-ready” content outperforms the perfectly polished. And do you know why? Because it’s built on empathy, creativity, and human connection - soft skills that no AI tool can replace. Emotional Intelligence: The Real Career Differentiator When we speak to hiring managers about what makes someone truly successful in a marketing role , the answer often isn’t “their Google Ads skills” or “their ability to write prompts.” It’s their emotional intelligence (EI). EI is what allows marketers to: Create campaigns that speak to an audience, not just sell. Manage client relationships with empathy. Navigate stakeholder challenges with confidence. Lead teams in a way that inspires collaboration. In short: EI is still everything - and in today’s competitive market for marketing jobs , it can set you apart from the pack. Storytelling: A Future-Proof Marketing Skill Data might tell you what’s happening, but storytelling is what makes people care. Strong storytelling helps marketers: Frame products within real-life benefits. Create campaigns that people actually want to share. Build brand trust through authentic narratives. It’s one of the most future-proof marketing skills because stories never go out of style. Other Soft Skills That Boost Your Marketing Career Alongside EI and storytelling, these soft skills regularly come up in conversations we have as part of marketing recruitment : Curiosity – Great marketers are lifelong learners. Collaboration – Marketing rarely happens in isolation. Adaptability – With technology constantly shifting, flexibility is key. Critical Thinking – The ability to cut through trends and identify what really drives results. These are the qualities that hiring managers look for when reviewing candidates for marketing jobs , because they’re harder to teach than technical skills. Blending Tech and Humanity AI and automation are powerful tools. But they’re just that: tools. The marketers who thrive are those who blend technical know-how with human skills. In other words: use AI to streamline, but rely on soft skills to truly differentiate. Because at the end of the day, the campaigns that win hearts (and wallets) are the ones that feel human. Whether you’re looking to grow your marketing career or hire top talent, don’t underestimate the power of soft skills. They’re not just “nice to have” - they’re the very thing that makes marketers stand out in a crowded, tech-driven market. Contact Lucy Ready to start your next chapter? Looking for a new role? Explore our current marketing jobs H iring top marketing talent? Get in touch ✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au 📞 +61 416 153 144 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities , follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn . New Chapter Talent – Your specialist partner in: Marketing Jobs | Digital Marketing Jobs | eCommerce Jobs | CRM Jobs | CX Jobs | Product Jobs | Brand Jobs | Creative Jobs | Communications Jobs | Category Jobs | Executive Marketing Roles

It’s official: we’ve entered the era of inflated job titles paired with deflated salaries – and it’s creating frustration, confusion, and mistrust in the marketing job market. At New Chapter Talent, we’ve been hearing the same story over and over again from CMOs, Heads of Marketing, and Senior Managers: A role looks senior on paper. The scope and responsibilities are extensive. But when it comes to the salary package? It falls well below market. The Numbers Don’t Stack Up We’re seeing worrying trends in the market: GM / CMO roles pitched at $180K Base + Super – well below what’s reasonable for that level of leadership. Head of Marketing roles advertised at $120–140K Base + Super (sometimes even as low as $90K – alarming!). Senior Strategy positions under $100K , despite requiring responsibilities that span strategy, execution, and delivery. When the title, scope, and expectations are senior, the salary needs to reflect that. Otherwise, you risk alienating the very talent you’re trying to attract. Why This Matters Misaligned roles don’t just hurt candidates – they damage the hiring organisation too. Here’s why: Short-term hires : Strong titles with weak pay often attract candidates looking for a stepping stone rather than a long-term move. Exhausted employees : Asking one person to wear every hat – from strategy to template design – at a mid-level salary is unsustainable. Brand credibility : Candidates talk. Advertising senior-level roles with junior-level salaries creates a reputation that’s hard to shake. Wasted time : Senior marketers won’t apply, while those who do will quickly discover the mismatch and walk away. The “Smoke & Mirrors” Effect Several marketers have described the trend as “smoke and mirrors.” On the surface, the job looks like a big opportunity. But when you dig deeper, it becomes clear the organisation either doesn’t understand – or doesn’t value – what experienced marketers actually bring. Sometimes, employers see inflated titles as a shortcut to attract a bigger talent pool: “We can’t pay for senior talent, but we’ll give the title instead as an incentive.” For ambitious marketers looking to step up, this might appeal in the short term. But for those already operating at that level, it’s frustrating, and often a waste of time. What Salaries Should Look Like To bring some transparency to the discussion, here are realistic salary bandings for senior marketing roles in Melbourne and Sydney (2025 benchmarks): Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) / General Manager Marketing $250K – $350K Base + Super (depending on business size, sector, and scope) Head of Marketing $160K – $220K Base + Super (with higher ranges in competitive industries like tech, finance, or FMCG) Senior Marketing Manager / Marketing Manager $120K – $160K Base + Super (with some roles stretching higher if leadership/team management is included) These ranges reflect both the scope of responsibility and the market’s expectation of senior marketing talent. Anything significantly below this should raise red flags for candidates – and prompt employers to reconsider their positioning. Where Do We Go From Here? The solution isn’t simple, but a few things need to happen: Market alignment – Salary bandings should reflect the true responsibilities of the role. Role clarity – Employers need to define scope honestly. Is this a leadership role, or a hybrid execution role? Be clear upfront. Standardisation – More transparency and consistency in job titles would help candidates (and employers) navigate the market. Value recognition – Experienced marketers deliver real commercial impact. Salaries should reflect that. Final Word Calling out this issue matters. Without change, organisations risk losing top talent, damaging their employer brand, and creating teams that are overworked and underpaid. At New Chapter Talent, we’ll keep highlighting these mismatches – and championing fair, transparent recruitment practices. Because when salary, scope, and title are aligned, everyone wins : candidates, employers, and the marketing industry as a whole. Contact Lucy Ready to start your next chapter? Looking for a new role? Explore our current marketing jobs H iring top marketing talent? Get in touch ✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au 📞 +61 416 153 144 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 Or connect with me ~ Lucy on LinkedIn ~ as I'll share all the insights on recruitment you could ask for! For more updates, career tips, and job opportunities , follow New Chapter Talent on LinkedIn . New Chapter Talent – Your specialist partner in: Marketing Jobs | Digital Marketing Jobs | eCommerce Jobs | CRM Jobs | CX Jobs | Product Jobs | Brand Jobs | Creative Jobs | Communications Jobs | Category Jobs | Executive Marketing Roles