Surviving the Creative Burnout Crisis: How Leaders & Job Seekers Can Thrive Amid Chaos
Heads up, folks! These survey results might just make you rethink your entire strategy, whether you’re a manager or on the job hunt. But don’t panic — there’s light at the end of this crazy tunnel, and I’ve got proactive tips to help you stay ahead of the bad news.
I recently polled 4,000 of my fellow Creative Industry Leaders & Hiring Managers, and the results are, well… mixed. Spoiler alert: the creative and marketing industry is an unpredictable rollercoaster, and it’s not slowing down.
💬 “Creatives are overworked, and teams are seriously understaffed. I mean, what were companies even thinking? Let’s just burn everyone out, right? 🤦♀️”
— Robin Fischman, Career Coach / Talent Acquisition Director
The Brutal Truth:
Layoffs and hiring freezes in Q1 and Q2. Sluggish Q3. TBD Q4. Yikes.
70% of my network are actively planning their next move. 😬
Workloads are skyrocketing with fewer staff, more strategies, and a big shift to in-house creative teams.
Burnout is very real.
So, what can you do about it?
I’ve tapped into my network of Creative Leaders, Hiring Managers, and job-seeking creatives to dish out some tips and insider intel. Read on for how to get through this madness:
For Creative Leaders & Hiring Managers: Keep Your Talent Happy!
Instead of stressing about getting it all done, focus on keeping your current team intact. Because, spoiler alert: some of them are already planning their exit.
Here’s what the smart leaders are doing right now:
1:1s are non-negotiable. Schedule them today. Ask how your team is doing. Listen.
Stop, Start, Keep. Ask them what they need you to stop doing, start doing, and keep doing. Take notes.
Talent Review. Identify key players and potential flight risks. Can you shift talent to cover gaps? Do it.
Use freelancers. If hiring is on hold, bring in freelance or contract talent to avoid burnout. I mean, a client of mine just sped up a product launch with a killer freelance UX/UI designer and came in ahead of schedule. 🎯
For Job Seekers & Career Dreamers: Time to Take Charge
If your current job is burning you out and your manager hasn’t taken action, it’s time for you to step up:
Book a 1:1 with your manager. Lay out what you bring to the table and highlight your key contributions.
Organize a team review for them — make yourself invaluable.
Daily task log. Document everything you do. It’ll come in handy for resume updates or to show your boss what you handle.
Update your portfolio. If it’s over a year old, this is your sign. (Pro tip: Check out Semplice.)
Find your people. Laid of Life is one of my faves. And not just because of this.
Want a free website audit? Email my team hello@kevadine.com your updated site with “Loom” in the subject line, and you might just get a surprise audit on the house.
Alright, that’s a wrap (for now). But trust me, that’s more than enough to get you started! Let’s face it: the game is tough right now, but if you’re prepared, you’ll come out on top.