Interviewer

Contents

• Role of the Interviewer
• Areas of Work
• Main Responsibilities of the Interviewer
• Where to Find Interviewers
• Key Skills
• Pros and Cons of the Profession
• Earnings of Interviewers
• How to Become an Interviewer

Role of the Interviewer

An interviewer is a specialist who conducts interviews by asking questions and recording answers. The goals of such meetings can range from studying public opinion to collecting data on specific issues. On job search platforms, you can often find vacancies for interviewers who would conduct surveys over the phone, inputting results into a database. Understanding this role is particularly important for marketers and product managers, as interviewers help identify consumer insights necessary for effectively addressing business tasks.

Areas of Work

Interviewers can work in various fields, including:

• Recruiting: Assessing candidates' qualifications in HR.
• Sociology: Conducting research for public opinion centers.
• Psychology: Diagnosing client conditions and conducting group surveys.
• Marketing: Collecting information about consumer preferences and behaviors.

Despite the lack of strict qualification requirements, it is important to understand that interviewers can significantly impact the quality of the data collected.

Main Responsibilities of the Interviewer

The main task of an interviewer in marketing is to conduct surveys using pre-prepared questionnaires. They ask questions, record information about consumers and the market, clarify disputed points, and document respondents' comments. Surveys can take place in various formats — face-to-face, over the phone, or online. In more complex studies, such as in-depth interviews or focus groups, the role of the interviewer is often taken on by marketers themselves due to the necessity of special skills.

Examples of an interviewer's responsibilities include:

• Participating in the creation of questions for interviews.
• Entering data into specialized programs.
• Assisting in processing and analyzing collected information.
• Preparing reports based on the results of the conducted research.

It is worth noting that vacancies requiring interviewers to participate in question formulation or report preparation are not very common, and most employers expect the interviewer to simply ask questions and record the responses received.

Where to Find Interviewers

Finding suitable interviewers for conducting marketing research can be a challenging task. On advertisement sites and job resources like hh.ru and Avito, you can find many candidates, but not all of them will be ready to approach their work responsibly. The best option is to contact specialized companies that conduct research. Their staff consists of experienced employees who can ensure quality results.

You can also consider collaborating with call centers, where all conversations with operators are recorded, guaranteeing adherence to methodological requirements. Students from marketing or sociology departments may also be suitable candidates, as they are interested in gaining practical experience and internships.

Key Skills

For successful work as an interviewer, both professional and personal qualities are important. The main professional skills include:

• Understanding the specifics of conducting marketing research.
• Basic knowledge of questionnaire development.
• Proficiency in computer skills and experience with office programs.
• Skills in report writing and presentations.
• Knowledge of business etiquette and ethical principles.
• Basic psychology for effective communication with respondents.

Personal qualities also play a significant role in the work of an interviewer. Communication skills, stress resistance, flexibility, and attention to detail — all these will help the specialist successfully handle tasks that arise during the interviewing process.

Pros and Cons of the Profession

The work of an interviewer has its pros and cons:

• Pros:
  • Opportunity to interact with diverse people.
  • Flexible work schedule.
  • Diversity of tasks and projects.
  • Various work formats.
• Cons:
  • High stress level during work.
  • Unstable income depending on projects.
  • Physical fatigue when conducting offline interviews.

Earnings of Interviewers

Typically, the work of an interviewer is paid piecework, depending on the number of completed surveys. The average payment for one completed survey is 150-200 rubles. In call centers, salaries can range from 125 to 200 rubles per hour, which can amount to around 30,000 rubles per month with an 8-hour work schedule on weekdays. Career advancement is possible, leading to increased salary and position.

How to Become an Interviewer

To become an interviewer, no special education is required; a desire and developed communication skills are sufficient. Students of sociology, marketing, or journalism can gain valuable experience by working in this role. The knowledge acquired at university will help better understand the principles of data collection and analysis. There are also many courses and resources that can assist in mastering this profession.