Market research jobs are in place to find out certain consumer behaviours in order to improve sales of a product or service. The data that people in marketing research jobs collect from a range of people assists in specific promotion for companies. Methods used vary from statistical analysis, surveying, focus groups and mystery shopping.
Technology in market research jobs has improved greatly, with data being accumulated via the internet and even through the checkouts in shops. The organisations that have market research vacancies range from businesses, to government agencies through to charities. Normally market research vacancies will be placed by research agencies rather than the specific organisations themselves. The knowledge gained can result in the assistance of political, social and economic decisions. With this in mind, it is easy to see why marketing research jobs are increasingly important in today’s world.
There are two types of market research methods used in market research jobs:
- Quantitative research – This relies on questionnaires and surveys (nowadays electronically) in order to gain and analyse statistical data.
- Qualitative research – Focus groups and detailed interviews are used to get a deeper understanding of people’s motivations and attitudes on the topic researching.
Most marketing research jobs will concentrate on one of the above methods. However, it is also possible to work with both.
Aside from the specialist agencies used by organisations for their researching capabilities, there are possibilities to see market research vacancies within the actual organisation itself.
Marketing Research Jobs Activities:
- Meetings with clients to discuss research
- Researching topics
- Preparing a brief for research
- Presenting your ideas to a client
- Creating surveys/questionnaires and then distributing them
- Meeting with researchers and interviewers
- Moderating focus groups
- Using software for statistics
- Analysing data collected and interpreting its results
- Writing reports and presenting findings
- Managing budgets
These activities can vary depending on the different market research vacancies within various organisations. However, the aim of all market research jobs is the same.
How do I return to marketing after a career break?
There are numerous reasons why marketing professionals might take a break from the profession, and return later in their life. There may be family commitments, a desire to work abroad for a while, or to try something different such as teaching or setting up an e-commerce business.
Is early retirement being replaced by part-time work?
The idea of early retirement will appeal to many marketing professionals heading into their mid or late 50s. But how easy is it these days? You need to be financially secure and confident that departing the marketing job market for ever won’t leave you regretting the move two or three years down the line.
Will hobbies on your marketing CV help or hinder?
Opinions are divided on whether there is any purpose to the ‘interests’ section of a CV. The traditional view is that your hobbies and pastimes show something of you as a person and demonstrate how rounded you are which could help in your marketing job application.
