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Market researcher

Alternative titles for this job include Market research interviewer, market research assistant

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

Average salary (a year)

£17,000 Starter

to

£24,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

25 to 37 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Market researcher

You can get into this job through:

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

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

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

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

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • 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

More Information

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.

Direct Application

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.

Other Routes

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

More Information

Career tips

Experience in sales or marketing could help you get into this career. For some roles it may be an advantage to be able to drive.

Further information

You'll find more advice about working in market research through The Market Research Society.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Customer Service Advisor

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: Ongar Road, Ongar, Essex

Workshop Receptionist and Customer Service Apprentice

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  • Location: Tushingham, Whitchurch
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Courses In England

Customer Service

  • Provider: On Course South West
  • Start date: 06 January 2025
  • Location: Plymouth

Skills for Business (Enterprise and Customer Service) - Level 3

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Blackpool
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