Shop ’till You Drop

Can’t control yourself when it comes to buying clothes? Can’t resist those pair of shoes that are calling out to you: “buy me”? Well, what if I told you that there is a job especially for people like you? Ditch those shopaholic recovery programs, and become a personal shopper instead! So, what does it take to turn an addiction into a paying job?

Well, let’s break it down into categories: requirements, education, responsibilities and experience.

As you most definitely know, when you shop you need excellent verbal communication. In addition, this is not your typical 9 to 5 job, so you might have to be flexible, give up on a few parties and work weekends, nights and sometimes even holidays.

This one-of-a-kind job does not require an extensive educational background. However, a retail/fashion-related degree wouldn’t hurt.

Communications responsibilities is a MUST! You need to be able to strengthen relationships with your clients via email, phone and, of course, face-to-face. Remember, you are selling a service and therefore, clients need to feel that they can trust you to keep up to your end of the deal – so communication is super important!

Experience is really a catch-22; you need a job to gain experience, but to get a job you need experience. But who knows, maybe you have what they are looking for. Retail companies also hire personal shoppers; therefore, they usually look for extensive sales experience and a good sales success rate. Personal shoppers must always show professionalism, as well as an outgoing and friendly personality. Patience is a must too. And last but not least, dependability – your clients need to know that they can depend on you whenever they need to.

The Pay Day! Ah, you thought that I had forgotten, didn’t you?. Commissions and bonuses can reach $100,000 (and sometimes even more) if your services become known to elite clientele.

I hope this helps!

Remember, “Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.” Edna W. Chase

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