As a beginner I would sign up with only a couple of the big companies that have jobs around the country. Market Force, Bestmark, Corporate Research International and Maritz are the ones that come quickly to mind, but Bare right now has nationwide shops. The idea behind this is not so much that these will be your best companies to work with, but these do offer shops virtually everywhere and they offer reasonable basic instructions. Do a few jobs to see how you like doing shops and reports. It really is not something that everybody finds fun or worthwhile. Then you can decide how many companies to sign up with. You will find that many of the other companies you sign up with do not have work in your area--at least not right now. You will find that you mesh well with some companies while other companies are frankly a PITA to deal with (either because of a bum scheduler, shops that have expectations far beyond what their fee would deem appropriate, or companies that you just are frankly uncomfortable dealing with). Like any job, different folks have different preferences. For example, I would not be happy working for GM, though obviously thousands of folks are comfortable working there. When you find companies who have shops in your area, begin building relationships with them by being a reliable and conscientious shopper. I am signed up with more than 200 companies and always looking for new companies to sign up with. You just never know what may appear on their job boards.