What Not to Say to a Marketer Who’s Between Jobs

The job market can be a rollercoaster—especially in marketing, where roles are shifting, budgets tightening, and the competition for good opportunities is fierce.

At New Chapter Talent, we’ve been speaking with many marketers who are navigating job loss, career transitions, and financial strain all at once. And while most friends, family and colleagues mean well, some common comments—though well-intentioned—can actually miss the mark.

If someone you know is between jobs in marketing, here’s what not to say—and what to say instead.

1. ❌ “Still no bites?” OR “Any more irons in the fire?”

They’re already feeling the pressure, trust us. These kinds of questions, though casual, can unintentionally highlight the uncertainty they're facing.

✅ Try this instead:
“Anything exciting in the works? Let me know if I can help.”

2. ❌ “At least you’ve got time to reset!”

Sure, burnout is real. But when you’re out of work (and possibly watching your savings dwindle), this doesn’t feel like a ‘reset’. It feels stressful and unsettling.

✅ Try this instead:
“How are you going? Job hunting can be exhausting. Here if you need a chat.”

3. ❌ “Have you thought about going freelance?”

Freelancing works for some, but it’s not a universal solution—and not everyone wants to be self-employed or has the financial buffer to do so.

✅ Try this instead:
“Are you leaning towards in-house, agency, or something else? Keen to hear what you’re looking for.”

4. ❌ “It’s all about who you know.”

While there’s truth to the power of networking, this phrase can feel defeating to someone who’s already reaching out and coming up short.

✅ Try this instead:
“Who would you love to connect with right now? Happy to make intros if I can.”

5. ❌ “Everything happens for a reason.”

This one can sting, especially when rent or mortgage payments are looming and self-doubt is creeping in.

✅ Try this instead:
“I feel your pain, and I’m sorry you’re in it. You’re bloody good at what you do, and something great will land.”

Support Matters—Now More Than Ever

If you're currently in a stable marketing role, this is your moment to show up for others. Share leads. Offer introductions. Back your peers. And sometimes, the best support is just listening without trying to fix.

Marketing job seekers don’t need toxic positivity—they need empathy, encouragement, and real opportunities. Let’s be better allies for each other.

Looking for more job hunting tips or marketing career advice?

Follow us on LinkedIn or explore the New Chapter Talent blog for more support, stories, and insights tailored to Australian marketers.

Contact Lucy

Need help finding your next marketing role? We’re here to help. At New Chapter Talent, we understand the marketing landscape and can guide you towards the roles that best fit your skills and aspirations - get in touch with us today! Feel free to contact Lucy...

✉️ 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.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Marketing Events in Australia & New Zealand

By New Chapter Talent • July 10, 2025

(2025 Edition)

Do I Hire a CMO or a Marketing Manager?

By Lucy Bolan • July 8, 2025

How to Make the Right Call for Your Business Over the years recruiting senior marketers, I’ve had countless conversations with talented CMOs and Heads of Marketing who’ve landed what looked like dream roles—only to find themselves, just a few months in, bogged down in emails, briefing social posts, and fighting for buy-in. ❌ No real strategy. ❌ No room to innovate. ❌ No chance to make the impact their experience promised. It’s a frustrating mismatch—and often, a sign that the business wasn’t actually ready for senior marketing leadership in the first place. So, if you’re asking yourself “Do I need a CMO or a Marketing Manager?”, it’s worth stepping back and honestly assessing what your business needs right now. Before you hire, ask yourself: Does my business have a clear marketing strategy and structure already in place? A CMO can absolutely build this from scratch, but only if your leadership team is ready to support that process. Am I looking for someone to manage and execute, or to lead and innovate? If you're expecting hands-on delivery, a great Marketing Manager might be the better (and more cost-effective) choice. Are we ready for a leader who’ll challenge the status quo and drive change? A strong senior marketer will push for investment, process change, and long-term thinking. That’s their job—and they need executive-level backing to do it well. How mature is our current marketing team? A CMO without the right team beneath them often ends up doing the execution work themselves. Which isn’t what anyone wants. Is there alignment at the executive level about marketing’s role in growth? This is crucial . If the leadership team doesn’t understand or agree on marketing’s purpose, it’ll be near-impossible for any senior marketer to succeed. The Bottom Line Hiring a CMO isn’t just about finding someone senior—it’s about making sure your business is ready to unlock the value that comes with strategic marketing leadership. If you’re not quite there yet, that’s OK. A brilliant Marketing Manager who can execute, optimise, and grow with the business might be the perfect next step. But if you are ready for bold leadership, big thinking, and transformation—go ahead and hire that CMO. And give them the support they need to thrive. Because the right hire, at the right time, can be a game-changer. Contact Lucy Need help finding your next marketing or CMO role? We’re here to connect top talent with the right opportunities. At New Chapter Talent, we understand the marketing landscape and can guide you towards the roles that best fit your skills and aspirations - get in touch with us today! Feel free to contact Lucy... ✉️ 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 .

Spreading Kindness: New Chapter Talent Joins Forces with Recruitment United and Eat Up Australia

By New Chapter Talent • June 6, 2025

On Wednesday 4 June 2025, Lucy and New Chapter Talent rolled up their sleeves and got sandwich-making with a purpose. Alongside more than 20 other small business recruitment agency owners from Recruitment United — Australia’s fastest growing community for recruitment agency owners — the team joined forces with Eat Up Australia to make a real difference. The morning event, hosted at Eat Up’s Melbourne base, saw the group prepare 954 cheese sandwiches in under an hour — all destined for schoolchildren across Victoria doing it tough. Who is Eat Up Australia? Eat Up Australia is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Lyndon Galea . Their mission is simple but powerful: to feed the one in five Aussie kids who go to school hungry. Since its inception, Eat Up has delivered millions of lunches to children in need, thanks to the support of volunteers, schools, and partners across the country. Their work ensures that kids can focus on learning, laughing, and being kids — rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact Australian families, teachers are increasingly stepping in to share their own lunches with students. It’s a heartbreaking reality — and one that Eat Up works tirelessly to change. Bringing the Recruitment Community Together The initiative was organised by Pete Watson , founder of Recruitment United. Pete’s goal? To bring together a community of like-minded recruitment business owners who not only support one another professionally but also show up for causes that matter. And show up they did. Laughter, teamwork and a fair bit of cheese filled the air as the group assembled sandwich after sandwich, each one a small act of kindness for a child in need. While the group narrowly missed their ambitious 1,000 sandwich target (running out of bread with just 46 to go!), the impact of the morning was undeniable. New Chapter Talent was proud to take part in such an uplifting and hands-on initiative. It was a chance to connect with an incredible community of recruiters, support an extraordinary organisation, and give back in a meaningful way. From all of us at New Chapter Talent — a huge thanks to Pete Watson for bringing the recruitment community together, and to Lyndon and the Eat Up Australia team for the incredible work you do. We were honoured to be a part of it! Learn more about Eat Up Australia and how you can support at eatup.org.au .

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