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Market researcher

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

Market researchers find out what people think about products, services and issues, using methods like interviews, polls and surveys.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

Variable variable

You could work

evenings / weekends flexibly

Meet Liv

Liv is a market research manager at Harrods. At university, she did a work placement at a German market research company.

1 minute 45 second watch

View transcript

I'm Liv, I'm research manager at Harrods.

I actually studied German, so languages.

But the way that that led me into market research was that as part of my degree, I did a year abroad and we had the option to, teach English, to be a student at a university in Germany or to find a work placement.

And so I ended up doing a work placement at a German market research company. It gave me that flavour for it, I enjoyed it.

So then when I left university, I looked for roles in that field. And I ended up doing a graduate scheme with YouGov, which I think most people know in a kind of political kind of polling sense. But actually run a lot of consumer research on anything.

So you could be doing surveys from kind of cat food to, you know, your opinion on, you know, the environment, anything like that.

And that was really broad. You know, it was kind of polling anyone about anything which gave me a really good insight into how people think about a really wide range of things.

And then from that point, I found this role at Harrods. So doing that same kind of consumer research, but just for one company and for a very specific set of kind of people.

Along the way I've also done a lot of shop floor roles. I've worked as a sales associate at lots of different kind of clothing brands over the years from about the age of 16.

So I've had that retail experience from the other side of things. Where I'm in head office now, I've been on the shop floor, spoken to customers face to face, which has been really insightful for doing this role.

And I actually did work at Harrods on the shop floor, and it really gave me a flavour for the kinds of people who shop here. What the experience of shopping here is like.

I really enjoyed it. So it felt very full circle to come back here, as a research manager, talking to those customers, but in kind of a very different way than when I was on the shop floor.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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:

  • customer service
  • principles of marketing
  • T Level in Marketing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

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 when applying for paid jobs. You can find opportunities on sites like Do It.

Direct Application

You could apply directly for jobs. Experience in sales, marketing, call centre work 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 courses in market research skills through The Market Research Society. These can give you a good insight into the role and may help you get into this career.

More Information

Career tips

Vacancies for market researchers are very often part time. Advertised rates of pay may be listed as full-time equivalent (FTE). Your actual pay will depend on the number of hours worked.

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
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • 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

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a market researcher, you could:

  • explain to participants the purpose of your survey, what it involves and how long it takes
  • ask people questions about a product or service by telephone or online
  • interview people in person on the street, at their home or in group sessions at a local venue
  • set up and send out online polls, surveys and questionnaires to gather information
  • record people's answers, sometimes videoing them during the interview
  • collect results and pass them on to marketing colleagues for analysis
  • 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 and further training, you could become a supervisor or area fieldwork manager. You might also work as a research assistant or analyst for a marketing agency or social research organisation.

Some market research interviewers choose to specialise in areas, such as medical research or political polling. There may also be opportunities for interviewers who are fluent in other languages.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

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Courses In England

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Jobs In the United Kingdom

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