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Survey Interviewer

Kaiuiui Rangahautanga

Survey interviewers collect facts and opinions by interviewing people. They conduct interviews for market research companies, government agencies and other organisations.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements for this job. However, NCEA Level 1 English, maths and social studies are useful.

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3

Useful experience

Useful experience for survey interviewers includes:

  • interviewing
  • sales
  • customer service
  • hospitality work.

What you will do

Survey interviewers may do some or all of the following:

  • phone people to make appointments for interviews
  • interview people at their home or business in person or by phone
  • approach and interview people in the street or other public places such as railway stations or shopping centres
  • ask set questions in a survey questionnaire
  • record the answers on a survey form, computer or tablet
  • keep a record of the interview for the survey supervisor.

Skills and knowledge

Survey interviewers need to have:

  • knowledge of their interview topic and different interview methods
  • research and writing skills, including the ability to spell correctly
  • good keyboard and computer skills.
Pay

Experienced survey interviewers usually earn

$24-$40

per hour

Job opportunities
Average
Chances of getting a job as a survey interviewer are average for those wanting to enter the role, but good for those with experience.

Industry

Advertising and Marketing

Survey interviewers collect facts and opinions by interviewing people. They conduct interviews for market research companies, government agencies and other organisations.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become a survey interviewer. However, a good standard of spoken and written English, computer skills, and a driver's licence are useful.

Survey interviewers usually get training when they start their job.

Chances of getting a job

Turnover high for survey interviewers

Turnover among survey interviewers is high because:

  • jobs are often short-term, casual or part time
  • workers move on to other higher paying jobs.

Demand for interviewers is gradually falling because:

  • online surveys are becoming increasingly popular, reducing the need for interviewer-assisted surveys
  • some companies are using cheaper overseas call centres to cut costs.

According to the Census, 1,041 survey interviewers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Survey interviewers may work for:

  • research firms
  • large private companies
  • government departments.

Some experienced survey interviewers are self-employed and work on contract.

Progression and specialisations

Survey interviewers may progress to jobs in areas such as:

  • supervising
  • fieldwork project management
  • market research analysis
  • telemarketing.

Working conditions

Survey interviewers:

  • may work full time, part time or on a casual basis
  • work in offices and call centres, or conduct surveys in people's homes or on the street
  • sometimes travel locally or nationally to conduct surveys.

Physical Requirements

Survey interviewers need to be able to spend a long time sitting or standing, and have good hearing and clear speech.

Survey interviewers who interview people in person need to be reasonably fit as they may need to walk long distances, or up and down stairs.

Useful personal qualities

Survey interviewers need to be:

  • good at listening and talking to people from a range of backgrounds
  • tactful, patient, polite and friendly
  • able to follow instructions
  • accurate and honest when recording information
  • able to keep information private
  • good at planning and organising.

Industry

Advertising and Marketing

Survey interviewers collect facts and opinions by interviewing people. They conduct interviews for market research companies, government agencies and other organisations.

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