Why Great Marketers Aren’t Hearing Back — And How to Break the Cycle in Today’s Job Market

If you’re a marketer actively job-hunting in Australia right now, chances are you’ve felt this frustration…

You spot a brilliant marketing role online.

• You apply.
• You wait.
• You watch the same role get re-advertised again… and again…

…yet you still don’t receive so much as a courtesy call.

Sound familiar?

At New Chapter Talent — a specialist marketing recruitment agency in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane — we hear this story from talented marketers every single week. Some candidates are coming directly from competitors, with incredibly relevant experience. Yet, they still can’t seem to get a foot in the door, let alone secure a conversation with a hiring manager.

So what’s really going on behind the scenes?

Why Marketing Roles Keep Reappearing Online

Let’s demystify a few truths from inside the recruitment process — the ones most marketers never actually hear.

1. Some marketing roles are “always on”

Companies in growth mode often keep ads live year-round to build talent pipelines. It doesn’t always mean they’re hiring right now — even though the job ad looks fresh.

2. Some job ads are a formality

Yes, it happens: the role may have already progressed internally or through a referral, but companies keep the ad live to meet compliance or process requirements.

3. Hiring freezes and restructures interrupt the process

One week the marketing team gets approval to hire… the next week budgets shift, priorities change, or restructures land on someone’s desk. The ad stays up, but the recruitment process stalls.

4. Great marketers do get overlooked

This is the painful one. Sometimes screening is:

• rushed
• automated
• or handled by generalist recruiters who don’t fully understand marketing skill sets

As a result, impressive candidates slip through the cracks.

If this is the cycle you’re stuck in, please know: it’s not a reflection of your ability, value, or potential.

So… What Can Marketers Do Differently?

Relying on “Apply Now” simply isn’t enough in an oversaturated market — especially for competitive locations like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, where hundreds of marketers may be applying for the same role.

Here’s what works far better:

✔ Show up in the hiring manager’s world

Engage with the brand. Comment on the content. Be visible on LinkedIn. If appropriate — send a short, warm introduction email.

✔ Use your network intentionally

Referrals are still the strongest path to an interview. Let people know you're looking. Reconnect with former colleagues. Mention it to trusted industry contacts.

✔ Work with specialist marketing recruiters

A dedicated marketing recruitment agency (like us!) understands the nuance of marketing roles, hiring trends, and employer expectations — and we make sure your CV is actually seen and considered.

✔ Don’t take the silence personally

Most of the time, it’s about internal business factors — not your capability as a marketer.

Need clarity on what’s really happening in the market?

If you’re tired of applying into the void and want:

• a clearer understanding of the marketing job market in Australia,
• insight into why certain roles keep looping,
• or help getting in front of the right hiring managers…

We’re here to help.

New Chapter Talent partners with marketers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Australia-wide, and we’re deeply connected within the industry. Whether you’re a Brand Manager, Social Media Specialist, CMO or anything in between — we can help you navigate the market with confidence.



Contact Lucy

If you’re feeling stuck, let’s chat.
Sometimes all you need is someone who actually understands marketing careers — and can open the right doors.

✉️ lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au

📞 +61 416 153 144

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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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