Job in polling organisation? (opinion, exit... eg. TNS MRBI)

Dave!

Hey folks,

I'm just wondering what kind of qualifications or experience would be necessary for a job in a polling organisation. Ones that carry out opinion polls or exit polls during elections. The only Irish one I know of is TNS MRBI.

Presumably they'd require a degree. Which would be more beneficial -- one in statistics? Or politics? Would history be acceptable? How about Computer Science?

Also has anyone any ideas of what a day working as a pollster might entail? I would think that at the core of it, you write the question, send people out to ask it, and then report back with the results.

It's just something I'm doing a bit of research on, out of curiosity

mikemac

I applied for a weekend job at TNS MRBI back in the summer and did a days training there so know a bit about the company.
Just to note, that this was only as a weekend job and you seem to be going as a graduate role

The training was all pretty straightforward.
One area you learn about is classification of jobs and also legal knowledge, (for instance you need the parents permission to interview minors.)
We also told how they got the contacts numbers. I was suspecting dodgy companies selling databases to each other and it’s not as devious as that.
Training was pretty interesting but I was amazed at the ancient equipment they use. These Pentium 1 machines were buzzing so loud I thought they’d explode. A lot of the headphones were broken also.

We did two practice calls. One was interviewing Meteor customers and the other was interviewing customers of a BMW garage.
It’s pretty easy overall and a handy jobs for students as you can pick and choose your shifts.
I didn’t sign up as the money was poor, I think around €8 a hour.

The manger we dealt with had a law degree since you’re asking about backgrounds of staff.

PM if you need anymore info, I’ve the company handbook somewhere at home

Dave!

Thanks for that

Anyone else got experience?

Dave!

Anyone else? Thanks!

Is it all done by phone or would you also do face-to-face interviews?

Dave!

Anyone else got experience with this sort of organisation?

stepbar

DaveMcG wrote:

Hey folks,

I'm just wondering what kind of qualifications or experience would be necessary for a job in a polling organisation. Ones that carry out opinion polls or exit polls during elections. The only Irish one I know of is TNS MRBI.

Presumably they'd require a degree. Which would be more beneficial -- one in statistics? Or politics? Would history be acceptable? How about Computer Science?

Also has anyone any ideas of what a day working as a pollster might entail? I would think that at the core of it, you write the question, send people out to ask it, and then report back with the results.

It's just something I'm doing a bit of research on, out of curiosity

Plaheaseeeee do not go next or near a market research company. I done it for 9 months and I sware it was the worst job I ever done. Was desperate for the cash. Management have no respect for what you do, supervisors sit on their arses playing with mobiles. Once they become the supervisor they become a ****in arseholes. As well as that they really assume you are stupid from the start (even though some had degrees, masters, life experience etc) so no place for those who dont conform to the way things are done. At the end of the day its all about how many surveys you get, and dont kid yourself about job promotion because once you become a supervisor you stay there for a very long time cause... well.... you do ****e all.
As for the guys who design the questionaires... I would love to meet some of them and box the heads off them. P1ss poor.