Market researcher

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

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/

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

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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 .

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.

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.

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 .

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

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