How to Get Paid for Interviews & 10 Best Companies That Pay

Yes, as surprising as that sounds – you can really get paid for Interviews and there are really legit ways and companies that pay.

This insightful article reveals exactly how getting paid for Interviews work and some of the best companies that really pay or help you get paid.

 

Why Get Paid for Interviews?

In order for a company or organization to be successful, they need to position themselves in the marketplace by being synonymous with a product that is mentioned.

For example, if an individual consumer was asked about soft drinks, they might automatically mention Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

Or, if a consumer is asked about technology products, they might respond by saying Apple, Microsoft, etc.

All of these responses are in direct correlation to the marketing efforts of these companies and others who try to be the company of choice as it relates to the product that they are providing.

Marketing is a scientific process.

It’s a process that studies the consumer and what resonates with the consumer in regards to their taste, needs, money available, quality of a product, customer service, etc.

All of these variables feed into a successful marketing campaign.

In order to gather significant amounts of information, many marketing researchers depend upon feedback from consumers after they have tested the product.

In order to gain this feedback, there are companies that actually will pay for an individual to be interviewed in order to gain the information from the participant which is worth its weight in gold in distinguishing a consumer brand.

 

11 Ways and Tips to Get Paid for Interviews

 

1. Telephone

An accommodating way for a person to get paid for interviews is through the use of their smartphone.

When an individual registers at various websites to be part of an interview process and get paid in doing so, they fill out the questionnaire.

If the volunteer meets the needed criteria and fits a certain demographic, they may be contacted by a company that will conduct a telephone survey.

A telephone is an optimum way for a researcher to gather full information because they actually can talk to the individual to get their feedback

With a phone survey, the individual is sometimes paid in cash or in rewards.

The time commitment may be anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes.

Generally, the questions are not multiple-choice but more open-ended as asked by the interviewer.

 

2. Jobs

Amazingly, there was a recent report that a particular company was interviewing candidates for job openings at one of their franchise locations.

Due to the various things that have been happening in the employment world as of late, the owner was expressing his frustration in that he was having trouble getting applicants to apply.

Subsequently, he initiated a program that if an individual would come in and go through the interview process that they would receive $50 for their time.

This may be a trending reality in the world of identifying quality candidates for employment positions.

 

3. Text

Another method that interviews are being conducted is through text messaging.

The surveys are most likely not as extensive, but money can be made if you answer a text message from a research company that you have reached out to.

 

4. Online

The standard of being paid to provide a response to interview questions by marketing research companies is through the online process.

The individual, after they have registered with the online company, will answer a variety of questions if they have been selected to participate.

It has been shown that online surveys can sometimes be a little disingenuous because the questions are asked in such a way that the respondent understands where the questionnaire is trying to lead the individual.

Consequently, the downside to the online interview is that our brains have a mechanism to respond knowing how the questions are being asked and what the survey is looking for.

 

5. Credits or Cash

Many of the interviews that are conducted, through this variety of methods, understand that time is valuable and the information that the participant is providing is meaningful.

Therefore, to compensate the individual for their time and responses, money is paid for those 15 to 20 minutes of responding to questions.

Some companies provide the individual who participates in these surveys with various rewards such as gift cards, credits towards other retail outlets, etc.

Some online surveys actually provide individual cash payment.

 

6. Sign Up

To participate in surveys, the individual would need to go to the various websites of companies that are looking for individuals to provide feedback for a variety of surveys.

The registration usually requires the individual to answer a number of questions and provide their personal contact information.

The company that is conducting these surveys on behalf of their clients will need a complete profile and as such is more likely that you will be able to participate in such surveys.

Therefore, the company will enter your information into a database and if your profile matches the company’s focus, they may reach out to be involved in that process.

 

7. Opt-In

Also, when registering to participate in these surveys it is important to look for opportunities to opt-in or opt-out as it relates to how you wish to be contacted.

One such opt-in or opt-out box is your permission given to the company to contact you by either text or phone.

Much of this opt-in or opt-out permission indicator is more about the recent legalities involved with people receiving unsolicited phone calls from marketers.

 

8. Prescreening

As part of the process, and to ensure that you are the perfect customer to provide feedback information, the company may reach out to you prior to the full engagement.

This prescreening option is an opportunity for the company to ask other pertinent questions to ensure that what you bring to the survey is going to be meaningful and have added value.

 

9. Profile

Once the prescreening, if this is conducted, is completed a member of the interviewing process team will review your profile.

This will determine your eligibility based on whether your background information and profile are what the company is looking for and obtaining feedback.

 

10. Distraction-Free

A tip to remember is that if you are participating in a survey through your smartphone, that that you are being paid for your opinion.

Basically, this is an employment opportunity and should be treated respectfully and professionally.

It is important to conduct this survey with your undivided attention.

This means that there should be no noise from TVs, music, other family members, pets, etc.

 

11. Listen

Prior to the beginning of the survey, to make sure that everybody is clear, the interviewer may go over some background information as to what the purpose of the survey is, that everybody is agreed upon any payment terms, and offer any special instructions.

Often, the interviewer will also ask if you have any other questions.

Once the survey begins, it is important to listen to the questions and try not to formulate a response till the full question is read and understood by you.

Then thoughtfully, and candidly, respond to the question as posed by the individual on the other end of the phone.

Following the process, loose ends will be tied up which could include discussion of any expected payment and an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have.

 

10 Best Companies That Pay or Help You Get Paid for Interviews

 

1. McDonald’s

As alluded to earlier, there are companies that have started to pay individuals to be involved in the interviewing process.

One such company that has chosen this out-of-the-ordinary option is McDonald’s.

For more information regarding the rest of this story and how the decision was made you can click here.

 

2. Survey Junkie

If chosen to be a participant with this online website, the individual can make anywhere from $5 to $25 by just utilizing their spare time.

The online survey can be accomplished from your residence.

Also, you can participate in focus groups and try a various number of new products and offer your valued opinion.

Click here to check out Survey Junkie

 

3. Branded Surveys

This site asks that the approved participants complete online surveys.

Rewards are offered through the disbursement of points and these points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.

With this particular website there are no hidden fees and to participate is at no charge to the individual.

 

4. Inbox Dollars

Those accepted to provide their feedback through surveys at this website include a number of opportunities to participate.

Some of those opportunities include shopping, watching videos, actually taking surveys, and more.

Also, Inbox Dollars sometimes have promotions to entice individuals to participate.

Often they offer a cash reward if you register online.

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5. Harris Poll

This online survey website is comprised mainly of individuals taking online surveys.

However, there have been occasions where Harris Poll has also paid for individuals to test products as well as being part of a focus group using the telephone.

If interested sign up and participate in their ongoing surveys and perhaps a phone study may become available.

Click here to check out Harris Poll

 

6. Focus Group

This online survey site offers a number of opportunities for an individual wishing to participate in a survey.

A variety of options are available.

They conduct a number of telephone services surveys and individuals can participate in focus groups when those surveys are made available.

Also, there are some surveys that are done locally and consist of focus groups.

There is a possibility that one of these locations is near your residence and you can participate physically.

Once you have signed up to be a possible participant you will begin receiving correspondence through emails about focus groups that may be the appropriate match given the information that you provided.

Also, there are rewards or points offered when you refer a friend to join.

Also, this site has an app in which additional information is provided to the registrant.

Click here to check out Focus Group

 

7. Opini

This survey or interview conducting website has a multi-country presence.

Although it is particularly a great option for the United Kingdom residents to earn some cash through phone surveys, it also operates in the United States of America as well as Asia.

Primarily, this site has participants involved with online surveys but does occasionally conduct phone surveys for the appropriate registrants to participate in.

The pay range for involvement in this website can range anywhere from $.50 up to $3.00 and payment is made through PayPal.

Once an individual reaches a minimum amount of money within their account, they can redeem the money.

Click here to check out Opini

 

8. Respondent

This research company connects companies and other research businesses with individuals who enjoy taking surveys and engaging in focus groups.

The individual goes to this website and registers and upon successful registration can view a number of projects that are available.

If the registrant comes upon a project or a survey that strikes a chord with them, they can make an application to participate.

The project listed will tell the individual what the approximate time involvement will be, any payment, and how the study will unfold.

Processes include in-person focus groups, completing surveys online, or participating in phone interviews.

This is a very comprehensive website as it relates to individuals getting paid to interview.

Click here to check out Respondent

 

9. Probe Market

The main focus of this online website in conducting market research is focus groups.

Those focus groups are conducted through online interaction, in person, or via the telephone.

The pay for interviewing through this website, if accepted, is a pretty healthy pay range of $50-$100.

In fact, some surveys have paid out as much as $400 and are in relationship to the length of the person’s time involvement.

The focuses of the products that are reviewed include new products and their initial entry into the market.

The reviewer accepted for this website will share opinions about the product even before they are sent to market or before any marketing campaigns are conducted through media.

Click here to check out Probe Market

 

10. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is about taking surveys, watching videos, shopping, and more.

You have the opportunity to earn money on this website.

Additionally, Swagbucks has a significant presence throughout the Internet endeavoring to get people to participate in their surveys.

Often, they provide an incentive for individuals to go to the website and register.

Click to read more about Swagbucks

 

Personal Story

There is a pizza chain that is one of our favorites.

Whenever we order a pizza they inevitably include a postcard-sized sheet of paper with the baking instructions and also an area where you can provide feedback on your customer experience.

Questions include, when you log on to the survey, what time of day you ordered the pizza, the cleanliness of the store, the friendliness of the employees, quality of the food, was it a fair price for the product, was it prepared according to your order, etc.

Normally, I don’t fill out these questionnaires, but in this case, I do so I get a two dollars discount on the next pizza that I order.

Consequently, that is enough incentive for me to take the time to respond to their questionnaire.

I believe there was only one time that I responded negatively and chastised the company for their increase in the pizza price.

I offered my contact information but I’m still waiting for them to call.

 

FAQs

 

What Purpose Does Being Interviewed by a Company Serve?

The purpose of an interviewer and the survey is to get candid feedback about a product or service that the company is offering.

These responses are then gathered together and reviewed by the marketing department of that company to determine what the customer satisfaction maybe, where improvements can be made, and what the overall evaluation of that product is by the average consumer.

 

What Are the Top Three Questions to Ask About a Product or Service?

It would seem that the most important answer to an interview question would be “Would you use our product again?”

The second question to zero in on would be in response to the question of “What did you like best about our product?”

Most likely, the third question, if an interviewing company wants candid feedback, would be the question “What didn’t you like about our product?”

 

Conclusion

The candid opinions of neutral individuals can be like gold when it comes to marketers helping promote their products.

In addition to the promoting process, the manufacturers of these products are provided powerful data from candid opinions of individuals as to how the product performs, whether there are any constructive criticisms offered, and suggestions for improvement, etc.

This process of interviewing and obtaining feedback from individuals is so valuable that companies are willing to pay for an individual’s time devoted to the process.