Mystery Shopping Success Secrets - Lesson 3

How can you become a successful mystery shopper? Find out in this article, and the free secret shopper course available at http://www.IdeaLady.com/

Welcome to Part 3 of ‘Mystery Shopping Success Secrets.’
I hope you are finding the course informative. Yesterday we
looked at what qualifies someone to be a mystery shopper.
Today we’re going to talk about how to highlight your
qualifications when you apply.

Cathy Stucker
http://www.MysteryShoppersManual.com/

Success Secret #3
Put Your Best Foot Forward on the Application

Most of the time, you will complete an online application.
Although every company’s procedures are a little different,
there are some basics that are true in almost every case.

The primary reason mystery shopping companies reject applicants
is that they did not fully complete the application, so answer
every question. If you are asked for a writing sample, provide
it. Companies told me that as many as 20% to 25% of applicants
don’t make it through the first screening because they did not
provide all of the information required.

When you apply for a typical job, there are legal restrictions
regarding the types of questions employers can ask prior to
hiring you. Because we are all used to those limitations, some
of the questions asked on a mystery shopping application may
seem odd or inappropriate. You may be asked your age, race,
marital status, number of children and their ages, if you own
a car, if you have pets, whether you wear glasses, etc. Some
companies may make these questions optional, while others will
require that you answer to be considered for shops.

The good news is that questions such as these are not asked in
order to exclude you, they are asked in order to include you.
Some assignments require shoppers to be over or under a certain
age to match the demographics of the client’s customers. They
may need three couples each of a different race or ethnicity to
test compliance with non-discrimination laws. Shoppers may have
to be accompanied by children. If someone is going to mystery
shop a pet grooming service, they need a pet.

Remember that a big part of your job as a mystery shopper is
filling out report forms and writing comments and narratives.
If you don’t bother to do a good job on the application, why
should they believe that you will be thorough and accurate in
completing your reports?

Spelling, grammar and punctuation matter. When providing a
writing sample, create it in your word processor and make sure
you spell check it. Then cut and paste the sample into the
application. Of course, you should carefully proofread all of
your application to catch any mistakes before you submit the
application. Some companies are more forgiving than others on
these matters, but why handicap yourself by doing a less-than-
excellent job?

Don’t fill out the application in ALL CAPS or all lower case.
Your keyboard has a shift key, so use it to properly capitalize
the first word in each sentence, proper nouns, etc. Many people
get sloppy when writing on the computer and drop letters,
ignore punctuation, use abbreviations such as â€oeuâ€ for â€oeyou,â€
and otherwise make mistakes which are not acceptable in a
mystery shopping report. Don’t do these things on your
application, either.

Some companies with online applications will ask you to print
and mail a copy of their Independent Contractor agreement, or
they will ask for a handwriting sample or other documentation.
If they request it, do it. And do it promptly. If you take weeks
to do something simple like print, sign and mail a contract, how
long will it take you to complete an assignment?

Mystery shoppers can be male or female, young moms or ‘seasoned
citizens’, employed, self-employed, homemakers or retirees. You
don’t need a college degree or special training and experience.
So whoever you are, put your best foot forward with great
applications and get started now!

Put today’s strategy to work by applying to many of the more
than 100 mystery shopping companies listed in ‘The Mystery
Shopper’s Manual.’ This is the only book for mystery shoppers
that has the endorsement of the Mystery Shopping Providers
Association. For information or to order, go to
http://www.IdeaLady.com/article/msm

Tomorrow’s Secret:
How to Get More Assignments

Mystery Shopping Success Secrets
A free ecourse from Cathy Stucker
Author of “The Mystery Shopper’s Manual”
Copyright Cathy Stucker


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