Starting Out

There are various entry points to the industry, however, it is primarily a graduate-led industry and the majority of applicants for research executive positions will be expected to hold a degree, although the particular degree subject is of less importance. In addition to an educational qualification, a number of personal qualities are essential, eg strong interpersonal skills, interest in people and their behaviour, analytical ability and organisational skills.

The industry also offers opportunities for non-graduates, eg field managers organise interviews country-wide via face-to-face interviewers and telephone interviewing centres.

There are two main ways of starting in market research. One is by joining an agency, of which there are hundreds in the UK, from large international companies to smaller consultancies. The other is by working client-side, as a market research specialist within a client organisation, where you are likely to be one of a small number of in-house specialist, responsible for conducting a certain amount of your own research and for commissioning external agencies to conduct larger projects.

Student placements

Many organisations offer placements for students interested in working in a market or social research environment.

MRS

The MRS supports career and professional development through its recognised qualifications and vocational development schemes, training courses and conferences, and networking opportunities.

Want to find out more?

Read Becoming a Market Researcher, which includes information on starting out, ideal personal qualities, agencies and client-side, qualitative and quantitative, day to day work, career path and training.
If you have a query about a career in the industry visit the Careers Q&A facility at www.research-live.com.
R-Net is the MRS network for researchers on the way up.
Read the R-Net blog: Life and times of a new researcher - a blog written during Lent 2006, with each of the 40 days written by different people
Read A Newcomers' Guide to Market and Social Research (PDF 27KB, PDF Help) which gives an overview of the industry.

Back to Careers Introduction

'My first job as a Research Assistant proved to me that this career could give me the personal development opportunities which facilitated my passion for innovation and creativity.'
Aisha King, Senior Research Executive, Ipsos UK

“Work experience is the single best way of finding out if a job suits you – and market research employers value it highly. I had never really contemplated research as a career until my placement."
Jason Flynn, Training Project Manager at GfK NOP

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