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Mystery-Shopping.org.uk
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| Mystery Shopping Articles | Be a Mystery Shopper | Get Paid to Shop |
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Getting Assignments as a Mystery Shopper: Work can be found from:
* Market research companies and specialist mystery shopping agencies;
* Media advertisements placed by market research companies, specialist hiring companies, companies themselves requiring shoppers;
* Listings on Internet bulletin boards, newsgroups and discussion groups, or emailed to known candidates.
* Team leaders for companies having your details on file.
* Word-of-mouth from friends and associates involved in the mystery shopping business;
* Your own mystery shopping business.
Writing Direct to Market Research Companies and Replying to Media Advertisements
Most openings are advertised in national and local newspapers especially by market research companies with extensive regional and national clientele. In such cases, a telephone number is normally provided from which to request further information. If opportunities are available when you phone you will probably be sent an application form which when completed will be kept on file against suitable openings occurring in the future.
One of the best ways to find regular work is to approach market research companies direct, from advertisements in Yellow Pages and listings of member companies affiliated to national and international market research organizations.
Even market research companies that don’t use mystery shoppers to any great extent may still require field workers to ask questions of shoppers and passers-by or to distribute questionnaires or man stalls in supermarkets from which to distribute samples of food and drink.
When applying for work without knowing what vacancies exist, it’s usually best to write a simple letter offering yourself as a mystery shopper. Not all companies like to answer the phone all day to people enquiring about jobs and in such cases it’s unlikely the person on the other end of the phone will record information about you for future use.
A letter or curriculum vitae is different, and means you can tell the potential employer everything he needs to know without feeling you are interrupting or making a nuisance of yourself.
Include a photograph and details of when you are available for work, how far you can travel and whatever experience you already have. List your hobbies and interests for specialist assignments.
Illustration One towards the end of this report shows a sample contact letter for an absolute newcomer who has spotted a firm called ‘Market Ree-Search’ advertising for mystery shoppers in a national newspaper. Illustration Two shows a typical cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae. Note this type of resume is not the same as that you might use for securing long-term, permanent employment, but should be enough for hirers to consider placing you on file.
Unless your handwriting is really neat and tidy it’s a good idea to type your letter and curriculum vitae (resume) or have them prepared by a professional secretarial bureau.
Anyone intending to apply to several companies might have a template letter produced and kept on your computer, giving name, address and personal details, leaving only the recipient’s details to add for a fresh, customized letter each time.
The letter in Illustration One can be altered slightly for sending to market research agencies listed in Yellow Pages and from market research agencies’ own lists of member companies. Instead of suggesting in the first sentence that you have seen opportunities advertised, say something like: “I am keen to get started as a mystery shopper and wonder if your firm has suitable openings.” Then continue more or less verbatim from paragraph two onwards.
Extract from: Be a Mystery Shopper GET PAID TO SHOP … and keep everything you ‘buy’ completely free of charge! byAvril Harper
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Mystery Shopping Facts
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