Market research interviewing is work that can be done by anyone, so long as they enjoy talking to people, can cope with paperwork, and are organized and self-motivated. The job involves asking people’s opinions on a variety of subjects, and filling in a questionnaire, either on paper or on a laptop computer. Market researchers work alone, and although they are often technically employees, they organize their own working schedules. For those who like being their own boss, this can be a most interesting job.
How to Become a Market Research Interviewer
Some market research companies advertise for employees, so it is worth looking in one’s local or national paper initially. Potential interviewers can also find these companies on the web, or by contacting The Market Research Society in the UK, or an equivalent organization in another country. Or, the next time the potential interviewer sees someone doing this work in the street or door-to-door, she could ask for the details of the company. Most interviewers are friendly and quite willing to help future colleagues.
Training as a Market Research Interviewer
Training normally takes 2 – 3 days, depending on the company. The author, when doing this work, was once asked: “Why do you need to train to fill in a questionnaire?” It is a good question, but there is more to interviewing than that. One learns how to approach people, how to ask questions impartially, and how to manage a market research quota. The trainee interviewer also learns about social-economic grouping as a way of obtaining a cross-section of people – but don’t worry; it’s not as complicated as it sounds!
The Market Research Interviewer’s Job
For the interviewer’s first assignment, or several if she needs it, she will be accompanied by a supervisor, to ease her gently into the work. After that she will be telephoned and offered jobs of a day or longer, which she can accept or turn down. Work will arrive through the post, or increasingly via email, with full instructions. She will be told the dates of the project, but apart from this the interviewer plans her own working days, and can often fit the job around family commitments without too much difficulty.
Pay, Conditions, and Prospects
Most market research projects have a set fee. For the interviewer who is good at her work or willing to work long hours, it can be quite a well-paid job. There is often a great deal of variety, and it can be very interesting. However, it can be hard on the feet, and interviewers need to be willing to go out in all weather, and sometimes at night for some surveys. Some interviewers work for several companies, and good organizational skills are required if doing this.
For those who wish to move on, it is possible to become a supervisor in time. It is also possible to do telephone surveys, recruit for focus group discussions, and do other related work And specialized surveys such as legal and medical interviewing are a possibility for those who are interested.
In summary, market research interviewing is a good job for anyone who likes working solo and gets on well with people. The author of this article did it for several years…and she sometimes misses it!
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