Good luck.

The second area of experience you need to convey to potential employers is the understanding of market research you have managed to gain in your current employment. Also what markets are you selling that data into, is there useful market knowledge that would be relevant to a future employer?

I am guessing that your customer service role involves understanding the data, appreciating the clients information needs and how this data might meet their needs. If this is the case and you prefer working with quantitative data rather than qualitative, then it sounds as if you could be quite suited to a role as a client service executive with one of the research houses, producing panel or continuous data services.

If you go to see any of the specialist recruitment consultants in this market they ought to be able to talk you through some of these issues, alternatively you might want to consider being a market research recruitment consultant!

Your experience in the fashion business and particularly at AC should get you noticed - in applications you should go into more detail about the nature of the project you ran at AC, how you got the job and your achievements. By relating your strengths to research activity you will go a long way to persuading someone to consider you.

There are some companies that have expertise in the fashion sector, but not many. These ought to be interested in you. Otherwise, look for agencies that conduct research at the end of the distribution chain that your company operates, i.e. if your company is a retailer look for agencies that focus on retail research. The objective is to use every bit of experience you have to convince an employer that you have knowledge to trade for training.

It does appear that you have a number of transferable skills and very few people are going to ignore someone who was considered worthy of a job at Anderson Consulting. You may need to take a cut in salary but if you're good you'll go up the pay scale fairly quickly.

The Research Buyers Guide is a good source of research agencies and has plenty of information about each one. It is available from main and business libraries or directoy from the Market Research Society.

That said, you do have quite a lot going for you so don't be discouraged. The best way to get into research is to utilise your existing skills and expertise. Since you have knowledge of software markets and distribution channels you ought to approach research agencies that focus on IT. In return for your training you will be able to provide knowledge that will help the employer to deliver insightful research and your presence at meetings will add gravitas for them. Your ability to offer insight at the data analysis stage will mean that you are providing real value from the start. On top of all this, your language skills ought to be of interest to companies that conduct international research. Please remember, however, that your English must be as good as perfect since there is plenty of report writing and presenting in research. Languages that you are less than fluent with are no more than handy.

So what should you do next? Decide what size, style or type of agency is going to suit your personality and research interests. You must also take into account location, of course. As a teacher you probably worked fairly locally to home. You may need to travel some way to get to a market research agency. I don't think you can say that any type of company is more or less likely to be interested in you. The Research Buyers Guide, available from most main libraries and the MRS is a good directory for identifying appropriate companies. Use any contacts you have in the industry. The process could take some time and you may struggle to get interviews. If this is the case broaden your search. If you are committed to a career in research the main thing is to get your foot in the door. You can always move to a more suitable company later.

Also, some recruitment consultants maintain close relationships with their clients and may see your personality as particularly well suited to the culture of one or other of them. They may be worth contacting.

I won't say it will be easy for you. I wish employers would take a greater interest in career changers, particularly teachers, but on the whole they don't. Don't give up, 'though, and I'm sure you'll get there. Good luck!

* NB don't forget you can also use our own directory of agencies at www.mrweb.com/agencies - admittedly there are more in the Buyer's Guide but ours gives a good selection - Nick Thomas.

It will be difficult for a recruitment agency to help you get into Qual as you don’t have lots of experience, however you should try applying to Qualitative agencies directly to see if this will be more fruitful. Finally be aware of what a career in Qualitative research will involve - on the downside it usually involves lots of long hours and late nights driving back from groups. If you are prepared and dedicated you will be successful - if I can be of any more help please let me know.