October Update:
What We’re Seeing Across Marketing, Digital & Creative Recruitment…
Happy November - That came around very quickly!
As we move into the final stretch of the year, we’re getting one question more than any other: “What’s the market like right now?”
Here’s our honest take on what we’re seeing day-to-day at Pitch, and—more importantly—how it affects your hiring plans.
Market Conditions: A Challenging Q4
To put it simply: the market is tough.
Yes, both agencies and in-house teams are still hiring—new roles, replacements, and strategic hires. But compared to a typical Q4, activity is noticeably quieter. Normally, the post-summer period brings a sharp uptick in briefs; this year, it’s more of a slow and steady climb.
If you’re planning to hire before year-end, this context matters. The competition for top talent is still high, but the volume of active roles and candidates isn’t where it usually is.
Skills That Are in Demand Right Now
Despite the slowdown, several areas remain hot:
✅ Social & Content
Still one of the strongest hiring categories. Brands want people who genuinely understand content strategy, platform nuances, and how to create work that stands out in crowded feeds.
✅ Performance Marketing
Digital remains central to almost every marketing function, and paid media expertise continues to be one of the most sought-after skill sets.
✅ Data & Insight
A rapidly growing area. As businesses lean more heavily on data to guide commercial decisions, analytical talent is firmly on the rise.
What’s Quieter?
❌ Creative (Perm)
Over the past 12 months, creative hiring—particularly on the permanent side—has slowed. We’re hopeful this will rebalance as we move toward 2026, but for now it’s one of the quieter disciplines.
Hiring Direct? Here’s What You Should Know
(Although of course… the best answer is use Pitch. We’ll save you time, stress, and money — and yes, we’re biased, but also confident.)
If you’re choosing to recruit directly, here’s what we’re seeing:
Job Boards
Platforms like Reed, Indeed, and Total Jobs offer competitive pricing, but application quality varies widely.
Fantastic reach — but expensive. Our internal data shows that only around 10% of LinkedIn applicants are actually relevant in terms of skills, salary expectations, and location. That means 20 CVs out of every 200 are worth reviewing.
Referrals
Still one of the most effective hiring channels. Incentivising your team to share great people can pay off quickly.
And if none of these routes deliver what you need… you know exactly where we are.
At Pitch, we can tailor a package to fit your budget, manage timelines, run adverts, search the market, screen candidates, and support every step through to offer stage.
Check out your options here https://pitchconsultants.co.uk/terms
Some Positives to End On
It’s certainly not all doom and gloom.
This month alone, we’ve:
Proving the opportunities are still out there!
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.
If you’d like advice on hiring, talent availability, or your upcoming plans, just give us a call:
📞 0121 270 4080
Thanks,
Your Pitch Talent Team.