Nowadays, consumers’ needs are important. Companies try to attract consumers and provide the products which they want. These companies hire people to survey costumers’ needs more accurately and examine the data. These people are called market research analysts. This job was ranked the 5th highest paying job in 2012 and the future is bright. However, this job is not well-known in Korea.

Work
A market research analyst analyzes the consumption market. Market research analysts provide accurate information for the marketing of companies. Before products are released, market research analysts read trends in the market and survey consumers’ needs. After the products are released, they survey consumers’ reaction to the products. They give this information to the companies which supply the products. Then the companies make products that suit consumers. This research by market research analysts is the connection between companies and consumers. Market research analysts also survey public opinion and program ratings.

Certificate of Qualification
To become a market research analyst, a certificate of qualification is needed. There are survey analyst levels 1 and 2. In level 1, the applicants must have level 2 and 3 years practical experience. However, at level 2, applicants can apply for the test without practical experience or graduating university. The test is divided into a practical test and a written test. Level 1 and 2 have the same minimum marks for a pass for the written test, but the practical test’s minimum marks are different. The minimum mark for the written test is over 40 in every subject and an average of over 60 in total. The minimum mark for the practical test is over 60. Level 1 examines the same sections but the subjects are much harder. These tests are overseen by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea.

Prospects
The image of companies and the marketing of products are important, and the need for market research analysts is increasing. Companies make marketing departments themselves or give the research to professional companies. Because of the overseas expansion of Korean companies and the expansion into the country by foreign companies, the need for market research analysts who can speak foreign languages is increasing, too. Moreover, the fields of research are increasing, for instance, surveying people’s opinions about politicians. Therefore, the future for market research analysts is bright.