Looking for a new role and disheartened by the job market? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠ chats with ⁠Terry Payne⁠⁠ of Aspire Recruitment and Executive Edge about the findings from Aspire’s recent report on digital marketing salaries across 5 different territories. They get stuck into how the job market has shifted at every level, from the decline in entry-level roles to the boom in senior positions. Terry shares insights on regional hiring trends, salary expectations across markets, and how AI is actually reshaping recruitment. He also gives practical advice for job seekers navigating today’s highly competitive, candidate-driven market. 

You can view and download the 2025 Salary Guides on the DMI website. They cover four key regions: the UK, the US, MENA, and APAC.

What You'll Learn:

• How AI is impacting entry-level, mid-level, and senior marketing roles

• The regions and industries driving growth in marketing jobs

• Salary trends across the UK, US, Dubai, and Asia in 2025

• How hybrid work is replacing remote-first opportunities
• Practical strategies for standing out as a candidate in a crowded job market

The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms.

And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!

Timestamps & Key Sections

• 0:00:51 – Overview of the job market shifts in 2025

• 0:04:23 – How AI is reshaping entry-level opportunities

• 0:08:14 – Growth in senior roles and startup demand for CMOs

• 0:11:51 – Rising demand for SEO, social media, and data roles

• 0:13:27 – Regional differences: Middle East growth, US recovery, UK resilience

• 0:16:51 – The decline of remote roles and rise of hybrid work

• 0:19:34 – 2025 Salary Guide: key trends and rising pay gaps

• 0:24:10 – Which sectors are driving salary increases

• 0:30:05 – Managing unrealistic workloads and setting expectations

• 0:32:55 – How to stand out when applying for jobs

• 0:37:35 – Building a strong LinkedIn profile and showing your “sizzle”

• 0:43:32 – Preparing for interviews and presentations

• 0:46:49 – The importance of communication and leadership “power skills”
• 0:50:43 – Terry’s three top tips for job seekers