As the keenest fought election in a generation draws ever closer, opinion polls have become a daily — even hourly — reality. Politicians from all parties are feeling the heat but what of the busy pollsters tracking their every dip and dive in fortune?
Never has there been a greater appetite for public opinion, with independent tracker UK Polling Report listing up to four new political polls every day. So it's no surprise that market research and polling companies are currently on the look-out for top new talent to join their businesses. If you have an interest in politics but are put off by the sleaze and spin of Westminster, perhaps a career in this expanding sector deserves your vote.
Newspaper headlines have made household names of the big four companies — ICM, ComRes, Ipsos Mori and YouGov — but, as in politics, there are a wealth of smaller firms crunching numbers and canvassing opinion as well. Advances in technology make research an inspiring industry in which to work. The debut of Ipsos Mori's new 'worm' tracker almost threatened to eclipse Nick Clegg's success story at last week's leaders' debate, and as the Research Liberation Front demonstates, research can also be a highly creative field.
To poll some opinions of your own on the research industry, make sure it's you asking the questions in our live Q&A, 29 April, from 1-4pm, where a panel of industry experts will outline the skills and experience that make the perfect pollster.
The panel will include:
Jenny Dickson, head of recruitment in the public affairs division of Ipsos MORI, one of the UK's leading market research companies.
Liz Walking, head of human resources for the London office of The Futures Company, a global trends and futures research consultancy, and a Sunday Times Best 100 Small Companies 2010.
Selena King, research director at integrated research business 2CV, who carries out research for government youth communications, most recently informing the Change4Life campaign.
Helen Porter, coaching manager at global marketing research consultancy Insight Research Group, who is responsible for hiring and training all new recruits.
The discussion is now open for advance questions, so get posting!
