Why You’re Not Getting Marketing Interviews (And Fixes)
Proven scripts, real examples, and a playbook that helped marketers land roles at HubSpot, Notion, and Webflow.
You’ve got the skills. You’ve done the work. You’re applying to roles you know you can crush—and still, no feedback.
The reality is that getting hired in marketing right now is more than just about checking every box on a job description.
It’s about understanding how hiring actually works—and what hiring managers are really looking for at each stage.
Here’s what you need to know to stop guessing and start landing real offers.
For an in-depth look at team structures and decision-making roles behind marketing hires, see our Product Marketing Reporting Structure Guide.
The Truth About Modern Marketing Hiring
1. You’re Not Getting Blocked by the ATS (Not Really)
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) aren’t the gatekeepers most people think they are.
If you’re applying with a relevant title, using clear language, and matching keywords from the job post, the ATS is NOT the issue.
The real blocker is: Volume.
Hiring teams nowadays often get hundreds of applicants—and no one has time to read them all.
2. Referrals Are the Shortcut
It’s not fair, but it’s real.
A referral can skip you ahead of hundreds of resumes. Even a quick message from someone inside the company saying “take a look at this candidate” makes a huge difference.
What to do:
Use LinkedIn’s “In Your Network” filter when hunting for a job.
Ask mutual connections to put your name forward.
Return the favor when you can.
3. Hiring Managers Aren’t Always Experts in Your Role
Sometimes it happens that someone who doesn’t understand your job is the one evaluating you.
Maybe the recruiter can’t tell the difference between email marketing and paid media—or they’re asking about tools unrelated to the role.
Tip: Speak in outcomes. Instead of listing what you’ve done, show how it impacted the business:
❌ “Led a paid campaign”
✅ “Drove 27% increase in demo signups through paid LinkedIn ads”
4. Final Hiring Decisions Are About Trust, Not Just Fit
When it comes down to the final few candidates, most have similar experience.
The question becomes:
👉 Who feels like a safe bet to throw into the fire and trust they’ll deliver?
Hiring teams want to know:
Can you own a project without hand-holding?
Will you collaborate well with others?
Can you adapt to chaos without needing constant direction?
5. Yes, Industry Experience Matters—But It’s Not the Whole Story
A lot of companies want to see candidates who’ve worked in the same type of business (B2B vs. B2C, SaaS vs. eCommerce, etc.). But that’s not always a dealbreaker.
What is non-negotiable? Showing you understand the company’s business model, customers, and challenges.
So, translate your past wins into their world.
⏱️ Want to go deeper?
You’ve just read the high-level truths about getting hired. But knowing what matters is only step one.
In the premium edition, we’ll break down:
How to build trust in interviews (even when you don’t have all the “right” experience)
What hiring managers really look for in take-home assignments
How to craft a “plug-and-play” story that makes you irresistible on paper and in person
Templates and scripts you can use right now to land more interviews and offers
👉 Upgrade now to access the full guide and get access to every premium resource.
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📄 Bonus for Premium Members: You’ll also get instant access to my brand new PDF: Interview Prep Templates for Marketers — a practical workbook to help you prep for interviews with confidence, clarity, and structure.
Why This Matters for Remote Marketing Roles
These strategies are especially useful if you’re aiming for a remote role. In distributed teams, hiring managers often have less time to train—and need someone who can plug in fast.
Trust, communication, and ownership matter more than ever.
You can explore real examples of how top marketers land roles across industries in our Remote Marketing Job Reports.
Remote marketers I’ve coached report:
Landing interviews at remote-first brands in under 6 weeks
“Within 5 weeks, I landed a $137K remote offer at HubSpot using Hakan’s coaching.” — Senior Growth Marketer (Premium Subscriber)
Salary increases of up to 22% when transitioning into senior remote roles
More confidence in presenting their value clearly—on paper and over videoconference
Want to Land Your Remote Marketing Role?
If you’re not a premium member yet, you’re missing out on:
Weekly curated remote marketing jobs ($50K–$250K)
Exclusive insights and templates like the ones above
10% OFF my full coaching programs that have helped marketers get hired at companies like HubSpot, Canva, and Shopify
👉 Upgrade now, join Remote Marketers Premium, and accelerate your career
Stay sharp. Stay proactive.
And if you apply this advice, don’t be surprised when the “final boss” starts picking you!
🔐Practical Strategies to Land the Role (Available to Premium Subscribers Only)
(This section is reserved for premium members and includes exclusive tactical content)
👉 Don’t wait. Join Remote Marketers Premium today and get one step closer to your next remote role.