Market Research Executive

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £60,000

Typical Hours

36 to 38 a week

evenings / weekends away from home

How To Become a Market Research Executive

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
working towards this role
a graduate training scheme
specialist courses run by professional bodies

College / University

For quantitative market research work, you may find it useful to get a degree in:

maths
statistics
business
management
economics

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

Level 3 Diploma in Marketing
Level 4 Diploma in Professional Marketing

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

You could work as a market research assistant, or interviewer, with or without a degree. You’ll still need very good communication skills, and ability with numbers and IT programs.

You could also start as a research assistant in an agency, and get promotion to executive or account manager as your experience grows. You’ll usually be expected to take further qualifications.

Other Routes

You could get your first job as a market research executive through one of the graduate training schemes that some larger employers run for new recruits.

You could also do specialist courses through professional bodies, like The Market Research Society's Certificate in Market and Social Research.

You may be able to get a paid internship with a company, where you’re given a project to complete. This will allow you to develop your skills and show an employer what you’re able to do.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

analytical thinking skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to use your initiative
customer service skills
knowledge of English language
ambition and a desire to succeed
persistence and determination
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

meet clients to discuss research projects
create plans or proposals and present them to clients
manage a budget
design questionnaires and organise surveys
brief interviewers and researchers
monitor the progress of surveys
analyse data and present results to clients
advise clients how they can best use the research

Working Environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career Path & Progression

You could move into management, or become a self-employed market research consultant.

You could also work in advertising or marketing promotions.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

Being able to speak different languages could be an advantage for international work.

Whatever your qualifications, you’ll find it useful to have experience in marketing, sales or advertising, or as a market research interviewer.

Further information

You can find out more about market research careers from The Market Research Society.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.