Sales & marketing

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by a professional body

College

You could do a college course, which may be useful when looking for a job. Courses include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working in Customer Service
• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Marketing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship in marketing.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Direct application

You could apply directly for jobs. Experience in marketing or customer service may give you an advantage. Employers will be more interested in your personality, your enthusiasm and your communication skills.

Other routes

You can do market research courses through The Market Research Society, which may help you get into this job.

More information

Career tips

Experience in sales or marketing could help you get into this career.

Further information

You'll find more advice about working in market research through The Market Research Society.

With experience, you could become a supervisor or area fieldwork manager. You could also become a research assistant in a market research agency or social research organisation.