Get a look at staffing trends and challenges in the creative industry, based on research by The Creative Group.

1. © 2018 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Source: The Creative Group survey of more than 400 advertising and marketing hiring decision makers in the United States
COMPANIES’ HIRING PLANS FOR FULL-TIME
CREATIVE EMPLOYEES
60%
Expanding
Adding new positions
STATE OF CREATIVE HIRING – U.S.
First Half of 2019
*Multiple responses were permitted. Top responses are shown. **Denotes a tie.
TOP AREAS FOR HIRING*
4
3
2
1
5
6
7
8
9
Web and mobile development
Web production
User experience
Creative development,
Visual design
Social media
User interface and
interaction design
Digital marketing
Marketing strategy,
User research
Art direction
10 Marketing technology
of companies plan to increase the number
of freelancers on staff.56%
37%
Maintaining
Only filling vacated
positions
3%
Freezing
Not filling vacated positions
nor creating new ones
Reducing/eliminating positions: 0%
**
**

2. © 2018 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Source: The Creative Group survey of more than 400 advertising and marketing hiring decision makers in the United States
19%Speed to hire
We lose good candidates while we
make a decision.
STATE OF CREATIVE HIRING – U.S.
Staffing Challenges
17%Compensation
We don’t pay as much as
our competitors.
of companies are concerned about losing
current creative staff members to other
job opportunities in the next 12 months.
78%of hiring decision makers say it’s
challenging to find skilled creative
talent today.
92%
14%Awareness
We don’t do enough to promote
our company.
14%Perks and benefits
We don’t offer as much as
other companies.
10%Technology troubles
Our technology is out of date, which
is unappealing for job seekers.
10%Few learning opportunities
We don’t offer enough training.
8%Lack of diversity
Our team lacks diversity, which
deters candidates.
4%Online reviews
Our online reputation is negative.
Responses do not equal 100 percent due to rounding.
GREATEST BARRIERS TO RECRUITING TOP CREATIVE TALENT
Other: 3%

3. © 2018 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Source: The Creative Group survey of more than 400 advertising and marketing hiring decision makers in the United States
of hiring decision makers are more willing to hire
creative talent who have relevant certifications in lieu
of a college degree than they were 12 months ago.
74%
STATE OF CREATIVE HIRING – U.S.
Staffing Trends
Responses do not equal 100 percent due to rounding.
MOST ATTRACTIVE NONCASH PERKS FOR CREATIVES,
ACCORDING TO EMPLOYERS
32%
Flexible
work schedule
21%
Vacation or
time-off policy
19%
Professional development
opportunities
14%
Challenging work or
variety of assignments
9%
On-site amenities
6%
Telecommuting

4. © 2018 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Source: The Creative Group survey of more than 400 advertising and marketing hiring decision makers in the United States
STATE OF CREATIVE HIRING – U.S.
Staffing Trends
Responses do not equal 100 percent due to rounding.
BIGGEST DEAL BREAKERS
WHEN REVIEWING RESUMES
FROM CREATIVE CANDIDATES
25%
Frequent job hopping
23%
Underqualified
18%
Spelling or grammar errors
14%
Poor design
8%
Big employment gaps
6%
Long tenure at one company
4%
Overqualified
MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS
WHEN HIRING CREATIVE
TALENT
31%
Previous experience
21%
Portfolio
19%
Interview performance
12%
Resume
11%
Social media presence
5%
References
Other: 2%