You’re scrolling LinkedIn and there it is again—yet another post from a smart and talented peer announcing their layoff. Or how about the recent college grad pleading for someone to hire them for an entry-level role.
I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it. These posts aren’t rare, they’re constant. And the worst part? Most of these job searches drag on for months—sometimes years.
Landing a marketing or advertising job is harder than ever. Job applications go unanswered. Entry-level roles are disappearing. Even people with years of experience are struggling to get interviews.
Let’s face it, the job market in marketing and advertising is in a weird (and honestly, brutal) place. And one of the biggest reasons? Artificial intelligence is changing everything.
AI Is Replacing People, Not Just Helping Them
Let’s be clear: AI isn’t just a tool in the toolbox anymore—it’s quickly replacing the entire toolbelt. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok are being used to write copy, generate content ideas, produce graphics, summarize analytics, and even run A/B tests. What used to take a full team can now be handled by a single marketer with a few AI prompts and some editing skills.
For many companies—especially startups and small businesses—this means they don’t need to hire full-time marketers anymore. Why pay a junior copywriter, social media manager, or designer when AI can do 80% of the work for a fraction of the cost?
The result: fewer job openings and more competition for the roles that still exist.
Entry-Level Marketing Jobs Are Disappearing
One of the most frustrating effects of this shift is the loss of entry-level opportunities. These roles used to be the on-ramp into the industry—think marketing coordinators, social media assistants, junior designers, etc.
Now, a lot of those tasks are being automated or outsourced to AI tools. The jobs technically still exist, but the headcount doesn’t.
Without those stepping stones, it’s much harder for new grads and early-career professionals to break into the field, which creates a talent bottleneck that affects the entire pipeline.
To make things worse, a lot of the jobs that are labeled as “entry-level” aren’t entry-level at all. They often ask for 2–3+ years of experience, a deep knowledge of multiple platforms, and sometimes even management-level responsibilities. Most early professionals simply don’t have that yet—and they shouldn’t be expected to.
Agencies Are Downsizing and Clients Are Cutting Costs
It’s not just in-house teams getting leaner—agencies are feeling the pressure too.
Many brands are slashing budgets, moving work in-house, or turning to freelancers (who are also competing with AI). Agencies that once staffed large creative teams are now forced to operate with fewer people, smaller scopes, and tighter timelines.
If you’re a freelancer or contractor, you’ve probably noticed the shift. Rates are down, contracts are shorter, and clients are expecting more for less—especially if they know you’re using AI in your workflow.
Job Listings Look Promising—But Often Lead Nowhere
Ever notice how many marketing jobs seem to stay posted for weeks or months without ever updating?
There’s a reason: a lot of them aren’t real opportunities.
Some companies post job listings just to collect resumes. Others write vague, AI-generated job descriptions with unrealistic expectations (like wanting one person to manage email, SEO, paid ads, analytics, AND social media… for $50K/year).
And with hundreds of applicants per opening, it’s easy to feel invisible—even if you’re a great fit.
Marketing Still Matters—But Many Companies Don’t See It That Way
Ironically, while roles disappear, the need for marketing hasn’t. It’s only grown.
Brands still need strategy, storytelling, campaigns, social content, audience insights, and creative execution. But too many decision-makers believe AI can replace people, rather than support them.
That’s a costly mistake.
AI tools are powerful, but they don’t understand brand voice, emotional connection, cultural trends, or strategic nuance. They can generate content—but they don’t know what works. That still requires human expertise.
So… What Can You Do?
If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or burned out by the current state of the job market, here are a few things to focus on:
1. Lean Into Strategy
AI can help execute tasks, but it’s not good at high-level thinking. Position yourself as someone who can make decisions, not just deliver content.
2. Master AI (So It Works For You)
You don’t have to fight the tools—learn to use them effectively. Being “AI-fluent” can give you a serious edge in interviews and freelance work.
3. Build a Personal Brand
Your portfolio, your content, your voice—those are what make you stand out. The more visible and valuable you are online, the less you rely on job boards.
4. Specialize in What AI Can’t Do
This includes human storytelling, trend forecasting, client relationships, leadership, brand identity, and more. The soft skills are the power skills now.
Final Thoughts
The marketing and advertising job market is going through a messy transformation—and yes, it’s frustrating. But that doesn’t mean your skills are obsolete. It means the game has changed, and it’s time to adapt.
AI might be able to write a caption, but it can’t build a brand. It can’t earn trust, read the room, or come up with an insight that breaks through the noise. You can.
- The Harsh Reality of Job Hunting in Marketing - June 9, 2025
- Crawling Back From the Depths of An Instagram Shadow Ban - April 30, 2025
- Gen Z Is Winning At Social Media Marketing, And You Can Too! - March 31, 2025
0 Comments