How to Be Market Research Associate - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 8, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The increasing demand for market research associates has caused a rise in the number of people pursuing this profession. This has led to more employers looking to hire experienced professionals in the field and offering higher salaries to attract the best talent. As a result, more people are now choosing to pursue market research as a career and competition for positions is becoming increasingly fierce. Additionally, due to the growing demand for professionals in this field, the market research industry has become a lucrative option for those looking to achieve a successful career.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree in marketing, business, economics, or a related field. This is the minimum educational requirement to become a market research associate.
Gain experience in the field of market research. Consider joining an internship program at a marketing or research firm. Alternatively, some employers may require applicants to have experience working with data analysis or survey design software.
Pursue certifications from professional organizations such as the Market Research Association (MRA) or the American Marketing Association (AMA). These certifications demonstrate that you have a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of market research.
Apply for jobs as a market research associate. Jobs may be found through job postings, classifieds, and job search websites.
Complete any needed on-the-job training to learn how to use data-analysis software and other tools of the trade.
Work with marketing and research teams to design surveys, analyze data, and make recommendations based on your findings.

Researching the market is essential for any business to succeed. An effective and capable Market Research Associate can help a business identify potential opportunities, understand customer needs and preferences, and develop strategies to increase market share. Having an ideal Market Research Associate is important as they can provide insights into competitor activities, as well as analyze market trends and dynamics.

They can also help formulate a comprehensive marketing plan to reach the desired objectives. Having a qualified Market Research Associate on staff can help a business identify target markets, develop effective marketing campaigns, and analyze the success of their initiatives. In turn, this can lead to increased sales and higher profits for the business.

You may want to check Market Insights Manager, Market Research Intern, and Market Access Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Gather and analyze market research data from various sources.
Develop and implement market research strategies to generate insights into customer needs and preferences.
Design surveys and questionnaires to collect data from target audiences.
Utilize analytical tools to interpret and report data.
Monitor industry trends and competitive information.
Present findings to internal stakeholders.
Collaborate with other teams to develop new products and services based on market research insights.
Prepare market research reports and presentations.
Maintain relationships with data collection partners.
Stay informed of current industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Market Research Knowledge
Statistical Analysis
Data Analysis
Report Writing
Project Management
Presentation Skills
Time Management
Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Skills
Organizational Skills
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Computer Proficiency (MS Office)
Strategic Planning

A successful Market Research Associate must possess a wide range of skills, including strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently and with a team, and a comprehensive understanding of the industry. With these abilities, they are able to develop comprehensive market research strategies and conduct data analysis and interpretation. They also use their skills to provide actionable insights that help companies make informed decisions and develop successful marketing campaigns. By leveraging their abilities in this way, Market Research Associates can play an important role in helping companies maximize their profits and minimize their risks.

Market Research Manager, Market Risk Analyst, and Market Resource Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

Describe your experience in market research.
What strategies do you use to analyze customer data?
How do you go about developing survey questions?
What techniques have you used to identify customer needs or problems?
How have you incorporated customer feedback into product development?
What methods have you used to measure customer satisfaction?
How have you used market research to forecast future trends?
What have you done to stay up-to-date with the latest market research trends?
What challenges have you faced while conducting market research?
Describe your experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Common Tools in Industry

Qualtrics. Qualtrics is a web-based survey software platform that helps Market Research Associates design, distribute, and analyze survey data. (Example: Qualtrics is used to conduct customer satisfaction surveys or to measure brand awareness. )
Google Analytics. Google Analytics helps Market Research Associates to track and analyze website traffic data. (Example: Google Analytics can be used to measure website visits, page views, or unique visitors).
SPSS. SPSS is a statistical analysis software that helps Market Research Associates to analyze survey data. (Example: SPSS can be used to compare customer responses from different demographic groups. )
Tableau. Tableau is a data visualization tool that helps Market Research Associates create visually appealing charts, graphs, and maps. (Example: Tableau can be used to illustrate customer trends over time. )
SurveyMonkey. SurveyMonkey is an online survey platform that helps Market Research Associates create, distribute, and manage surveys. (Example: SurveyMonkey can be used to glean customer feedback on product design. )

Professional Organizations to Know

American Marketing Association (AMA)
Product Development and Management Association (PDMA)
Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA)
Market Research Society (MRS)
Insights Association
Advertising Research Foundation (ARF)
International Society of Marketing Research Professionals (ISMRP)
The Research Intelligence Group (TRIG)
American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)
The Research Club

We also have Market Research Consultant, Market Research Scientist, and Market Research Coordinator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Competitive Intelligence. The process of gathering, analyzing, and leveraging information about a company's competitors in order to gain an advantage in the marketplace.
Market Segmentation. The process of dividing a market into distinct subsets of consumers who share similar characteristics and who have similar needs and buying patterns.
Market Research. The process of gathering and analyzing data to elucidate market trends, consumer behaviors, and other related factors.
Consumer Insights. Information gathered from consumer research that provides companies with a deeper understanding of their target audience.
Qualitative Research. Research techniques that involve focus groups, interviews, surveys, and other methods of gathering information to gain an in-depth understanding of the consumer.
Quantitative Research. Research techniques that involve data collection and analysis to understand the size and composition of a target market.
Data Analysis. The process of examining, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful insights and patterns.
Forecasting. The process of predicting future trends and outcomes based on previous data.
Branding. The marketing practice of creating a name, symbol, or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products.
Advertising. The practice of using various forms of media to promote goods or services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What duties does a Market Research Associate typically perform? A1: A Market Research Associate typically collects and analyzes data, develops survey and research methods, identifies trends and insights, produces reports, and presents findings to stakeholders. Q2: What qualifications are necessary to become a Market Research Associate? A2: Qualifications for a Market Research Associate typically include a bachelor's degree in market research, statistics, business or a related field, experience with survey design and statistical analysis software, strong written and verbal communication skills, and an understanding of marketing and market trends. Q3: What is the average salary range for a Market Research Associate? A3: The average salary range for a Market Research Associate is typically $40,000-$60,000 per year. Q4: What type of work environment does a Market Research Associate work in? A4: A Market Research Associate typically works in an office environment, collaborating with other professionals to analyze and interpret data. Q5: What types of organizations hire Market Research Associates? A5: Market Research Associates are often hired by advertising agencies, consulting firms, research firms, market research companies, and large corporations.