LinkedIn’s latest research shows nearly seven in 10 marketing professionals are expected to be on the hunt for new jobs in 2025, but more than half can be expect to be ghosted as they seek out their next gig.

The business social platform has released fresh data on job searching in 2025, revealing 59% of Australians plan to look for a new job this year. However, over half of these job seekers report feeling frustrated by the job search process, claiming it has become more difficult over the past year.

In the marketing sector, the numbers are even higher, with 67% of professionals planning to change jobs in 2025, a figure that surpasses the national average of 59%. Interestingly, 60% of these marketing professionals report having been ‘ghosted’ during their job search process, compared to 51% nationally.

For example, Emily Nelson, a freelancer in the media and marketing space, faced numerous screening calls with positive feedback but seldom received follow-up. The high volume of applications and lack of communication, often from no-reply addresses, made the experience even more frustrating, she said. Nelson was applying for 15-20 roles a day.

The biggest motivators for professionals looking to change jobs this year include the desire for higher wages (49%) and the wish for better work-life balance (36%). Across those surveyed by LinkedIn, 65% are seeking opportunities outside their current industry or role, also up from 52% last year.

LinkedIn’s data comes as it launches a new product designed to assist job seekers. The new job match feature shows job seekers how their skills and experience align with potential roles, helping them to focus their search on opportunities where they are more likely to receive a response. LinkedIn’s data showed 41% of Australians don’t know how to match their skills to jobs.

“In today’s competitive job market, it’s tempting for job seekers to apply to as many roles as possible, hoping to increase their chances. However, casting a wide net often leads to disappointment and a lack of response from recruiters, rather than leading to a dream role. With more people looking for jobs this year, professionals should shift their approach and be more strategic in applying for roles that match their skillset so they stand out,” said LinkedIn Career Expert, Cayla Dengate.

In addition to the job match feature, LinkedIn has also made several of its LinkedIn Learning courses available for free until March 31, 2025. These courses, including ‘Building Career Agility and Resilience in the Age of AI’ and ‘Landing a Job as a Skills-First Candidate’, are designed to help professionals succeed in their job hunt.

The research was conducted by Censuswide between November 27 and December 16, 2024, among 22,010 consumer respondents, and between November 28 and December 18, 2024, among 8,035 global HR professionals.