Advertising profession trail record: What 100+ entrepreneurs instructed us about expansion and process safety

by | Sep 29, 2025 | Etcetera | 0 comments

After I introduce myself at workshops, I frequently comic story that my promoting and advertising and marketing career path turns out just a little of like two truths and a lie — despite the fact that it’s all “fact.” Turns out, I’m no longer by myself. Talking with other successful marketers, a non-linear career path is one thing many of us have in now not ordinary, whether or not or now not by the use of variety or necessity.

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The place of business and procedure market are further unpredictable than ever. Between the monetary gadget, competitive hiring processes, and the ever-present elephant throughout the room (AI), many marketers are wondering what shifts they wish to make to stay competitive.

To resolve, I surveyed 100 promoting and advertising and marketing and selling professionals and spoke with leaders inside and outside HubSpot. Proper right here’s what I uncovered.

Table of Contents

The State of the Procedure Market

It will surprise you to be informed that the majority marketers are exploring new possible choices.

In our survey, 69% of respondents have appeared for a brand spanking new promoting and advertising and marketing procedure in the past one year, whether or not or now not actively (32%) or passively (37%).

The absolute best reasons? Higher salary (81%), further flexibility (54%), and better promotion possible choices (39%).

marketing career path: data on why marketers are looking for new jobs.

Wish to art work at a definite type of company (28%) and burnout or lack of enhance (24%) round out the absolute best 5.

Promotions aren’t ordinary — on the other hand no longer confident.

I uncovered that 54% of marketers have pursued a promotion at their provide company throughout the ultimate 365 days, and another 27% plan to.

Slightly below section were successful.

Those who difficult pointed to art work ethic, revel in, and visibility as the biggest parts. Those who didn’t cited politics, lack of selection, or perceived revel in gaps — some moreover well-known gender or age bias.

Self trust in career enlargement is mixed.

Want to concentrate the very good knowledge? (It’s promising whether or not or now not you’re an employer or a job-seeker).

Fewer than 10% of respondents expressed low confidence in their capacity to advance their promoting and advertising and marketing career path at their provide company. And 43% reported that they’re very confident in their capacity to do so.

Marketers are navigating career pivots — that is how.

For marketers who aren’t seeing the improvement they would really like, the next step isn’t at all times chasing another full-time serve as instantly.

Some are taking time to hunt out the proper procedure.

Ron Dawson, senior manager of HubSpot for Startups, mentions that it’s tough to be had out there. “I know people who have taken one to two years to land their next serve as. Staying visible — in particular on LinkedIn — and staying up on what’s happening throughout the industry is a very powerful.”

Others are striking out on their own.

Freelancing and contract art work can actually really feel undecided, on the other hand it moreover supplies control. Matt Corridor, co-founder of Now not ordinary Other people, outlined his viewpoint:

“I don’t see contract art work as any riskier than a task. Everyone knows anyone who’s been ‘let go’ by the use of no fault of their own. We’re the CEOs of our private careers. No one has as so much investment in our long-term protection as we do individually.”

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Some are returning to in-house roles.

That’s the position I in my opinion relate some of the. After years of running my own show, I understand the appeal of a steady paycheck and renewed possible choices for enlargement, and simply in recent times went in-house with a shopper.

Freelance creator and strategist Derek Hambrick put it simply, saying, “The prevailing procedure market is such that I’ve decided to close my freelance trade. I’m searching for full-time employment, which is something I mentioned I’d not at all do. Circumstances are what they’re.”

Logo strategist Lindsay Hyatt is of the same opinion: “In 2025, I’m re-entering the corporate world for the stability of a paycheck and fresh enlargement possible choices.”

How Marketers Are Making Themselves Additional Competitive

In an unpredictable procedure market, the marketers I spoke to take into account that possible choices aren’t at risk of land at their feet. They’re actively sprucing their skills and making themselves stand out — whether or not or now not externally on platforms like LinkedIn, or internally within their firms.

I’ve learned that it’s no longer on the subject of the art work you do, on the other hand the way in which you put yourself.

survey data on what marketers are doing to further their career path

Our survey revealed where most marketers are focusing their efforts:

  • 62% are finding out new skills (e.g., AI, analytics, SEO, paid media).
  • 45% are getting certifications or additional education.
  • 43% are setting up their personal logo or content material subject matter presence.
  • 38% are taking on stretch duties or cross-functional art work.
  • 31% are searching for mentorship or coaching.
  • Most straightforward 4% aren’t actively doing the remainder to make themselves further competitive.

Adaptability and Problem-solving

I’ve learned that adaptability can open doors although your resume doesn’t align utterly with a task description. That attainable — being able to in brief pivot and treatment problems — has been a lifeline in my own promoting and advertising and marketing career path.

Taking a enlargement mindset and saying “I can learn how to do that,” frequently makes all of the difference — in how I see myself, and how I supply myself to others.

Upskilling (Specifically AI)

One clear construction? The marketers who’re staying competitive are leaning arduous into finding out — in particular spherical AI.

I’ve spent the former 365 days experimenting with AI apparatus myself, figuring out how they are able to lend a hand me art work smarter, no longer merely sooner. I’ve used them for the entire thing from wisdom analysis to figuring out how you can put into effect my ideas. And I’m no longer by myself.

Amanda Huffman, promoting and advertising and marketing manager on HubSpot’s Global Expansion Team, says that experimentation is very important.

“I’ve been finding out how you can optimize content material subject matter for AI search platforms like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews by the use of making an attempt problems out and finding out as I’m going. Our team of workers even runs AI Broaden Hour two occasions a month to share how we’re the use of AI.”

Something just about and dear to my middle is helping marketers reach comfort in promoting themselves.

I’ve found out that some of the easiest techniques to check out that is to shift the way in which you think about “self-promotion.” Via focusing a lot much less on telling everyone how awesome you’re (despite the fact that you are) and additional on the way you’ll be capable of lend a hand folks treatment their problems, you’ll be capable of really highlight your revel in and show up as your true self.

On the other hand it’s no longer on the subject of showing up “to be had out there.” Marketers who want to increase within in their provide firms wish to position themselves internally as well.

Laura M. Browning, very important newsletter creator at HubSpot, emphasizes this stage:

“Many of us (in particular whilst you were socialized as female) are inherently uncomfortable with self-promotion. On the other hand it’s a learnable attainable. I think about it when it comes to sharing my excitement about something, whether or not or now not it’s a blog post I’ve written that I would really like my co-workers to seem or something I’m promoting on LinkedIn. When you’re something, it’ll show — and likewise you’ll attract an target audience.”

Aligning Ambitions With Company Needs

One of the crucial biggest classes I’ve learned is that career enlargement isn’t on the subject of what you want — it’s about how your objectives align with the company’s priorities.

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Browning outlined {{that a}} conversation along with her boss about her “strengths, interests, and ambitions — and where they have got compatibility with the company’s needs” unfold out a year-long team of workers lead program that’s setting up her keep an eye on skills.

Nicole Morton echoed a identical mindset, saying, “I’m leaning into my strengths in strategic positioning and promoting and advertising and marketing automation while moreover setting up thought control. Visibility inside and outside the company is vital.”

Takeaway: Marketers who stay competitive don’t recreational on their laurels. They’re naturally interested by how you can do problems larger — and how you can adapt what they know to make a bigger affect.

Apparatus the Most Productive Marketers Are The usage of

In relation to staying competitive, the proper apparatus may make or spoil your capacity to send results without burning out. And that means balancing diving into new apparatus with figuring out the (many times) expanding purposes your provide apparatus share.

A word of caution: It’s easy to get eager about shiny new platforms, on the other hand too many apparatus can create confusion, redundant choices, and data silos.

I’ve found out that searching for integrations and overlap is very important — frequently the apparatus you already use (like venture keep an eye on, analytics, or CRM platforms) have built-in capacity you’ll be capable of activate without together with however another login. Protective problems simple saves money and helps you get some of the out of your apparatus without costing you time beyond regulation.

tools used to help marketing career paths

So what apparatus have helped the marketers we surveyed reach some of the visibility and results?

  • 33.7% – AI Apparatus (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and lots of others.).
  • 22.1% – Social Media Platforms (LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and lots of others.).
  • 10.5% – Analytics & Wisdom Apparatus (Google Analytics, SEMRush, Wisdom Visualization Apparatus, Trends).
  • 8.4% – Productivity & Problem Keep an eye on (Trello, Teams, Basecamp, and lots of others.).
  • 7.4% – Procedure Search & Occupation Platforms (Without a doubt, Glassdoor, and lots of others.).
  • 5.3% – Creative & Design Apparatus (Canva, Adobe, WordPress).
  • 5.3% – Finding out & Coaching Platforms (Coursera, LinkedIn Finding out).
  • 5.3% – Electronic mail & Promoting Platforms (HubSpot, Mailchimp).

AI apparatus in this day and age are a minimum requirement.

With a third of marketers calling out AI as their most impactful elegance of apparatus, it’s clear the ones platforms at the moment are now not “nice-to-haves.”

I profit from AI day-to-day to brainstorm, analyze wisdom, and streamline repetitive tasks. It’s turn out to be some of the easiest techniques to stay setting pleasant and liberate time for higher-impact art work. (And I latterly wrote this publish evaluating the highest equipment available in the market.)

Ron Dawson has a identical viewpoint: “Finding out AI is table stakes for staying competitive. Previous that, you wish to have to take risks. AI apparatus like Claude, ChatGPT, NotebookLM, and Gamma are part of my day-to-day workflow. They lend a hand me research, write, and automate, so I can focal point on method.”

Amy Rigby uses AI as a thought partner as much as a time saver, sharing how she’s “been the use of ChatGPT and Claude to poke holes in my art work and deepen my figuring out of difficult topics.”

Social media platforms assemble visibility.

On the other hand AI by myself isn’t enough to get you the visibility you wish to have to further your promoting and advertising and marketing career path. Have in mind, with regards to 1 / 4 of marketers we surveyed named LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, or other social platforms as their perfect apparatus for visibility.

Rigby echoed this and shared how she’s experimented with post sorts and short-form video: “My most successful post was once a vulnerable one regarding the not easy scenarios of being a creator throughout the age of AI — individuals are hungry for authentic, human perspectives.”

As for me, I’ve moreover spotted how consistent engagement on LinkedIn has helped me blow their own horns my art work and stay top of ideas with attainable collaborators and hiring managers.

Problem keep an eye on and productivity apparatus keep teams organized.

How regarding the 8.4% of marketers who pointed to venture keep an eye on platforms like Trello, Asana, or Teams as their key productivity drivers? I’m a huge fan of ClickUp and Monday myself — holding tasks out of my head and proper into a tool is the only approach I stay sane.

Dawson has found out Asana to be a game-changer, “as it’ll get tasks out of my head and assists in keeping me organized.”

Browning even uses AI to devise her art work calendar. “Claude prioritizes assignments in minutes as a substitute of hours and helps me see all of the month at a glance.”

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Some marketers are trimming their tech stacks.

No longer everybody appears to be together with further apparatus; some are taking the opposite approach. Of respondents, 27% cited “other” apparatus, frequently describing pared-down, minimalist stacks that experience compatibility their unique workflows.

Lindsay Hyatt pared once more her tech stack, saying, “Google Calendar, Notes, Canva, and Zoom get me lots of the approach there. Decreasing unnecessary apparatus was once the best issue I did for my productivity.”

Takeaway: The most productive marketers aren’t the ones juggling the longest tick list of apparatus — even though versatility normally is a plus. They’re those that know which platforms in fact pressure visibility, results, and efficiency, and use them constantly.

What Leaders Seek for in Promotions

Since promotions are this type of scorching topic right now, let’s check out what makes candidates most promotable.

Problem-solving and adaptability are key.

“I’m serious about people who can observe problem-solving skills during quite a lot of varieties of art work,” mentioned Karla Hesterberg, director of the HubSpot Blog. “That’s what helps folks increase with the crowd, no longer a superbly matched set of earlier research.”

This belief mirrors what I’m taking note of “throughout the wild.” Leaders are a ways a lot more prone to promote it anyone who can increase with the company and be informed than anyone who most simple tests the boxes.

Visibility problems — on the other hand it’s about value.

In follow, visibility way constantly showing your art work and the associated fee you ship, along with offering solutions in meetings, setting up relationships with advocates, or taking on cross-functional art work

Proactivity and a enlargement mindset make the difference.

Leaders perceive when you find yourself taking ownership of your enlargement — by the use of mentorship, certifications, or soliciting for feedback.

What Employers Can Do to Upper Enhance Occupation Expansion

When you’re a hiring manager finding out this — I wanted to include this section just for you. I asked the marketers we surveyed: “What’s one thing firms (along with your provide employer) would possibly do just to better enhance your career enlargement?”

what employees say best supports marketing career path growth

Most responses fell into 3 categories:

  • Invest in training and skill-building (40%). Offer structured constructing possible choices: liberate mentorship tactics, fund certifications, outline clear construction pathways, and provide control training.
  • Keep up a correspondence and recognize constantly (30.8%). Set clear expectations, clutch not unusual career-focused check-ins, and recognize pleasant art work publicly and privately to build believe and motivation.
  • Reward team of workers competitively (29.2%). Overview compensation steadily, give a boost to benefits, and offer flexible schedules and some distance flung art work possible choices to retain top performers.

Takeaway: When firms put money into skill-building, keep up a correspondence clearly, and reward team of workers rather, they are able to give a boost to morale and create a strong pipeline of long run leaders.

The Large Symbol

The ideas, my conversations, and my own career revel in all stage to the identical fact: The marketing career path isn’t linear anymore — if it ever was once throughout the first place. I see that as an excessively sure issue because it puts the next move as a marketer firmly in your private fingers.

The marketers thriving right now are the ones taking ownership of their careers and staying open to probabilities. They’re finding out how you can assessment possible choices no longer just for titles or salary bumps, on the other hand for the way in which each step moves them in opposition to the kind of art work — and existence — they would really like.

For companies, this shifting landscape is a chance to rethink how they enhance talent. The marketers we surveyed made it clear. When employers put money into constructing, keep up a correspondence clearly, and assemble paths for folks to increase, they don’t merely retain pleasant team of workers — they create stronger corporations.

So what’s next?

When you’re an individual marketer: Take a excellent check out your skills, visibility, and group, and make a choice one house to give a boost to throughout the next 3 months.

When you’re a hiring manager: Audit your team of workers’s career enhance and get began offering clear paths for enlargement — small steps now will assist you to attract and keep the people who let you switch forward.

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