As we continue into May, competition for top-tier talent in marketing, advertising, digital, and media continues to intensify. Smart companies aren’t just filling roles—they’re evolving their strategies to attract and retain the best people in a shifting talent landscape.

At Clutch, we partner with innovative businesses to help them hire more effectively. Here are the hiring trends we’re watching this month—and how forward-thinking companies are staying ahead.

Remote and Hybrid Work is the New Standard
Remote work is no longer a perk—it’s an expectation. In 2025, over 45% of digital marketing roles now offer remote or hybrid options, especially in creative, analytics, and strategic functions.
Companies offering flexible work arrangements are seeing stronger candidate pools. Those that don’t risk missing out on top talent.
What to do:
Expand your search beyond your local market and promote remote/hybrid options clearly in job descriptions.

Technical Marketing Skills Are in High Demand
The rise of mar-tech and AI-driven campaigns is increasing the demand for candidates fluent in platforms like GA4, HubSpot, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and generative AI tools.
Smart companies are hiring professionals who can bridge the gap between creativity and data.
What to look for:
Candidates who combine hands-on campaign experience with fluency in marketing tech stacks.

Contract and Freelance Talent is on the Rise
From creative direction to content development and performance marketing, more companies are tapping contract and freelance professionals for high-impact project work.
This flexible hiring model helps teams scale quickly without long-term commitments—especially useful for seasonal pushes or product launches.
How to leverage it:
Use contract talent for specialized roles or fast-turnaround initiatives where speed and expertise are critical.

Soft Skills Are Essential for Remote Success
While technical abilities get candidates through the door, it’s soft skills—communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence—that make them successful in today’s work environments.
Hiring for fit, not just function, is becoming a critical competitive advantage.
Key takeaway:
Prioritize soft skills in interviews, especially for remote and hybrid roles where collaboration happens digitally.

AI is Reshaping Marketing Teams
New roles are emerging rapidly—from prompt engineers to AI campaign strategists—as companies integrate artificial intelligence into their marketing operations.
What we’re seeing:
Marketing leaders are building hybrid roles that blend creativity, data, and AI fluency. Candidates with these emerging skills are in high demand.

Hiring With Retention in Mind
Today’s candidates are looking for more than a paycheck. Flexibility, career growth, and meaningful work matter more than ever.
Companies that build these values into their hiring and onboarding process are seeing better retention and stronger long-term team performance.
Best practice:
Make retention part of your hiring strategy—what you offer on day one sets the tone for employee loyalty.

ESG and Sustainability Roles Expand in Brand Teams
Marketing departments are increasingly adding roles focused on ESG communications, sustainability reporting, and purpose-driven branding. These professionals are helping brands meet consumer expectations and regulatory guidelines around transparency and impact.
Opportunity area:
Look for candidates who can translate your company’s ESG commitments into clear, compelling brand narratives.

Ready to Hire Smarter?
At Clutch, we help marketing and digital teams hire the right talent—faster and more effectively. Whether you need freelance creatives, contract campaign managers, or permanent marketing leaders, we can help you build a winning team.

Let’s talk. Reach out to learn how we can support your hiring strategy this May—and beyond.