Five Steps into an Insight
Breaking into Insight can feel difficult. The profession is evolving quickly, as are job titles and potential employers.
The routes into it have evolved too. If you’re looking to start a career in Insight, here are five things that can make your search much more effective.
- Broaden your job search
Don’t search for one job title. Look for roles such as Research Executive, Insight Analyst, Customer Insight Executive, UX Researcher, Data Analyst, Strategy Analyst, Evaluation and even AI Research Associate.
Set alerts for 8–12 relevant job titles rather than relying on one search.
- Look beyond research agencies
Insight professionals work everywhere. Think consultancies, technology companies, media agencies, financial services, retailers, manufacturers, public and social research organisations and businesses building their own customer insight teams.
If you find an organisation doing work you’d love to be involved in, consider approaching them directly rather than waiting for a vacancy.
- Give employers proof of your potential
You don’t need years of experience to demonstrate curiosity and initiative.
Research companies, follow industry leaders, attend webinars and explore case studies. Better still, create something yourself. Pick a question, gather evidence and turn your findings into a one-page case study, three-slide presentation or LinkedIn post.
AI can also be a brilliant tool for creating a small practical project that demonstrates how you think.
- Network for advice, not jobs
Instead of contacting someone and immediately asking about vacancies, ask about their career.
A short, personalised message asking how someone entered the industry or what advice they’d give somebody starting out can open far more doors than a generic request for work.
Be curious, specific and respectful — and always follow up with a thank-you.
- Make every application intentional
Employers should immediately understand why this role, why this organisation and why you.
Tailor your CV and LinkedIn profile to the language used in the role. Show your technical abilities, but don’t forget the qualities that make you good at Insight — curiosity, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and the ability to understand people.
And prepare properly for interviews. Practise virtual interviews and assessments, have strong STAR examples ready and arrive with thoughtful questions.
One thing you can do this week
Identify five organisations employing Insight or Data professionals that genuinely interest you.
Then contact them and explain specifically why you’d like to work there.
Your first Insight role may not have the title you expected — and it may not be advertised where you expected either. Broaden the search, demonstrate what you can do and start conversations.