Market researcher

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by a professional body

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course, which may be useful when looking for a job. Courses include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working in Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Marketing

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship to get into this career. Examples include:

• Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Customer Service Specialist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Multi-channel Marketer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Volunteering

Charities often recruit volunteers to help with market research activities. This could give you valuable experience for job applications. You can find opportunities on sites like Do It .

DirectApplication

You could apply directly for jobs. Experience in marketing, call centre operations or customer service may give you an advantage. Employers will be interested in your personality, your enthusiasm and your communication skills.

OtherRoutes

You can do market research courses through The Market Research Society , which may help you get into this job.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• active listening skills
• excellent written communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to work well with others
• business management skills
• maths knowledge
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• complex problem-solving skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Market research interviewers find out what people think about products, services or issues.

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

• explain the purpose of your survey and encourage people to take part
• ask people questions about a product or service by telephone or online
• interview people in person in the community, or by visiting them at home
• ask questions from a scripted questionnaire or survey
• record people's answers, sometimes videoing them during the interview
• organise the results and pass them to your supervisor
• write survey reports and store information securely

Location : You could work from home, in a contact centre or in the community.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £24,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

25 - 37 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends flexibly

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a supervisor or area fieldwork manager. You could also become a research assistant in a market research agency or social research organisation.

Some market research interviewers choose to specialise in areas such as medical research. There may also be demand for interviewers who are fluent in other languages.