What are the most important considerations when hiring new team members?

1 Skills and experience

The first thing you need to look for is the relevant skills and experience that match your project needs. You want to hire someone who has proven expertise in the specific methods, tools, and domains that you are working with. For example, if you are conducting a survey, you want someone who knows how to design, administer, and analyze surveys. If you are doing qualitative research, you want someone who can conduct interviews, moderate focus groups, and interpret themes. You also want to check their portfolio, references, and previous projects to see the quality and impact of their work.

4 Fit and alignment

The fourth thing you need to consider is how well the candidate fits and aligns with your project vision, values, and culture. You want to hire someone who shares your passion, purpose, and expectations for the market research project. You also want someone who can integrate seamlessly with your existing team, clients, and stakeholders. Furthermore, you want someone who can align their work style, schedule, and compensation with your project requirements and constraints. You can gauge these factors by discussing your project scope, objectives, and deliverables, as well as your team norms, roles, and expectations.

5 Diversity and inclusion

The fifth thing you need to look for is the diversity and inclusion that the candidate brings to your market research project. You want to hire someone who can contribute to your team's diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. You also want someone who can foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and belonging among your team members and participants. These aspects are vital for market research, as they help you to understand your target market better, avoid biases and stereotypes, and create more inclusive and relevant solutions. You can measure these aspects by asking about their personal and professional experiences, values, and opinions, as well as their awareness and sensitivity to diversity and inclusion issues.

6 Growth and development

The sixth thing you need to consider is the growth and development that the candidate can offer and receive from your market research project. You want to hire someone who can help you improve your team's skills, knowledge, and performance. You also want someone who can benefit from your team's feedback, mentoring, and opportunities. These elements are important for market research, as they help you to enhance your team's capabilities, confidence, and satisfaction. You can assess these elements by asking about their strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement, as well as their learning and career aspirations.