Personal Shopper Jobs in the United States

Personal Shopper Jobs Overview

If you enjoy shopping, have a keen eye for detail, and a passion for helping others, a career as a personal shopper may be the perfect fit for you. In this role, you'll help save clients’ time by doing the legwork and research, sourcing and selecting items, and arranging purchases and delivery. Personal shopper jobs are available in retail stores, supermarkets, malls, fashion stores, consulting companies, and for e-commerce platforms.

You may be most familiar with the traditional fashion route where you work for a department store, online retailer, or image consulting company. In this role, you'll help clients select clothing, accessories, and other personal items to meet their needs, style, and budget.

But if fashion isn't your forte, you can become an online personal shopper for e-commerce, on-demand food delivery platforms, and supermarkets. In this job, you'll select the requested items, such as food and groceries, bag them and ensure that the correct products and quantities reach the customer safely and on time.

Salaries for Personal Shopper Jobs

As this field is so vast, your salary will depend on your specific role, experience level, and the industry in which you work. Keep in mind that your salary will also differ according to where you live. Check out Monster's Salary Tool to find out how much you can earn in your chosen career.

Here are some examples of annual salary ranges for popular personal shopper jobs:

• mystery shopper: $27,413 - $57,012
• food and beverage delivery driver: $26,189 - $46,320
• general buyer: $37,207 - $71,404

How to Find the Best Personal Shopper Jobs for You

When searching for a suitable personal shopping job, it’s important to ask yourself specific questions to assess what you want out of your career. Here are some to consider:

• What type of clientele do you prefer working with? (e.g., high-end, budget-conscious, specific demographics)
• What is your preferred working schedule, full-time, part-time, or freelance?
• What is your style or approach as a personal shopper? How do you differentiate yourself from others in the field?
• How comfortable are you with providing clients with advice, suggestions, or recommendations based on their preferences?
• What are your long-term goals as a personal shopper? Do you envision progressing in this field or exploring related areas such as styling or image consulting?

Carefully Read Job Descriptions for Personal Shopper Jobs

Gain valuable insights into the role, requirements, and company expectations by carefully reading and analyzing a job description. This information will enable you to tailor your application, highlight relevant skills and experiences, and increase your chances of securing an interview.

Pay close attention to the specific responsibilities of the personal shopper. Look for tasks such as conducting client consultations, selecting and purchasing items, coordinating deliveries, providing styling advice, and maintaining client relationships.

Look for the qualifications and requirements section, which typically outlines the skills, experience, and training sought in a candidate. Does the job require specific skills such as knowledge of fashion trends, expertise in specific product categories, or proficiency in personal shopping tools or software?

Some job descriptions provide information about the work environment, such as whether the role is office-based or requires traveling, and any physical requirements involved. Consider whether the work environment aligns with your preferences and if you can meet the conditions mentioned.

Assess Your Qualifications and Skills

While there’s no specific education required to become a personal shopper, having relevant skills and experience in customer service, retail, fashion, or related fields can be beneficial. Some personal shoppers earn certifications or degrees in related areas, such as fashion design or retail management, to enhance their credentials and improve their skills.

Here are some steps to help you assess your qualifications:

• Identify transferable skills from your previous experiences that can be valuable in a personal shopper role. For example, customer service, problem-solving, time management, organization, attention to detail, and communication can be applied effectively in a personal shopping context.
• Assess your personal attributes, strengths, and weaknesses. Consider how your personality traits, such as creativity, adaptability, patience, or empathy, can contribute to your effectiveness as a personal shopper. Recognize areas where you may need to improve or gain more experience.
• If you identify gaps in your qualifications or skills, seek opportunities for professional development. Consider attending workshops, courses, or seminars to enhance your knowledge of fashion trends, styling techniques, customer service, or other relevant areas. Look for online resources, blogs, or books that can expand your expertise as well.

How to Apply to Personal Shopper Jobs

Carefully read and follow the application instructions provided in the job posting. Remember to submit the required documents, such as your resume, cover letter (if required), and any other requested materials in the specified format. If it’s a fashion role, they may ask for a portfolio or look book of your inspiration for previous clients.

Update Your Resume

When writing or updating your resume, it helps to look at the keywords in the job description and use them as your guide. Hiring managers look for candidates with strong people skills, excellent customer service, organization, and social awareness, so include these specific keywords in your resume.

Highlight specific achievements and quantifiable results from your previous roles. For example, mention instances where you exceeded sales targets, improved client satisfaction, or received positive feedback. This demonstrates your ability to deliver results as a personal shopper.

Before submitting your resume, proofread it thoroughly to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Need a professional eye and valuable feedback? Count on Monster’s Resume Writing Experts to craft a resume that gets results.

Write a Cover Letter

While a cover letter may not be required for grocery shoppers or delivery drivers, you’ll typically need one for fashion-focused jobs in department stores or image consulting companies. A well-written cover letter allows you to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the position, and highlight your qualifications and experiences that make you a strong candidate.

Make sure to include specific examples or anecdotes that illustrate your personal shopper experience, successful client interactions, or any achievements that align with the job requirements. This allows you to demonstrate your capabilities and provide evidence of your skills.

Submit Your Application

Monster makes your job search stress-free. Start by creating a free profile and gain access to an array of personal shopper jobs that interest you. Upload your resume and sign up for free job alerts matching your criteria. We’ll also help you get spotted by recruiters searching for new hires with your skills and professional background.

Remember to double-check and proofread your application first for any spelling or grammatical errors. Also, review your contact information to make sure it’s correct so you don’t miss that all-important interview invitation.

How to Follow Up on Your Application

Following up on your job application demonstrates your proactive approach and interest in the position. While it doesn’t guarantee a job offer, it can keep your application in the employer's mind and provide an opportunity for further communication. Here are some steps to take to follow up effectively:

• Give the employer sufficient time to review applications and process them. Typically, waiting about one to two weeks after submitting your application before following up is advisable.
• Choose the most appropriate method to follow up based on the contact information provided in the job posting or application instructions. Email is generally the preferred method.
• Reiterate your interest in the role and briefly explain why you are excited about the opportunity to work as a personal shopper for their company. Politely ask about the status of your application and if there’s any additional information they need from you.
• After following up, allow the employer some time to respond. They may be busy reviewing applications or conducting interviews. Always maintain a professional demeanor rather than a pushy tone in your communication.

Interviewing Tips for Personal Shopper Jobs

You can confidently demonstrate your qualifications, industry knowledge, and passion for the role by thoroughly preparing for your interview. Remember to be yourself, showcase your unique style, and let your enthusiasm shine throughout.

Prepare for Your Interview

First, gather information about the interviewing company. Understand their brand, target clientele, product offerings, and any unique aspects of their business. Familiarize yourself with their mission, values, and recent news or achievements. This knowledge will demonstrate your genuine interest and help you tailor your responses during the interview.

You'll typically have an interview for a role within a department store, supermarket, or consulting agency. However, if you're applying for a position such as an online grocery shopper, chances are you won't. Still, it's essential to prepare either way, just in case. Remember, you don't get a second chance to make a great first impression.

Identify specific examples highlighting your ability to understand and fulfill client's needs, provide exceptional service, and handle challenging situations. Then, practice your responses to questions about your experience, fashion knowledge, managing multiple tasks, and providing styling advice. It’s helpful to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide specific details.

Follow Up After the Interview

Following up after a personal shopper job interview demonstrates your professionalism and continued interest in the position. It keeps you on the employer's radar and may help their decision-making process. Remember to be patient, maintain a positive mindset, and continue pursuing other opportunities.

• Within 24 hours, send a personalized thank-you email to your interviewer. Express your appreciation for their time, restate your interest in the position, and mention something specific you enjoyed or learned during the interview.
• If any specific topics or questions were discussed during the interview that require follow-up or additional information, take this opportunity to provide the requested details. This demonstrates your attentiveness and thoroughness.
• After following up, be patient and allow the employer time to decide. Avoid excessively contacting them or pressuring them for a response. The hiring process can take time, and they may be interviewing other candidates or conducting further evaluations.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

Start by carefully reviewing the job offer letter or email. Pay attention to the position title, start date, compensation package, benefits, work schedule, and any other important terms and conditions of employment.

Then assess if the offer aligns with your expectations and needs. If you need further clarification on any aspects of the offer, such as work hours, commission structures (if applicable), performance evaluation criteria, or any other information that may impact your decision, don't hesitate to reach out to the employer.

If you have received multiple offers for personal shopper jobs or are considering other opportunities, compare the offers based on your priorities. Assess the pros and cons of each offer, considering factors such as compensation, growth potential, work-life balance, and overall job satisfaction.

Finally, if you feel there are certain aspects of the job offer that you would like to negotiate, such as salary, benefits, or additional perks, prepare your negotiation points. Conduct research to determine reasonable salary ranges for similar positions and be ready to articulate your value and the reasons for your request.

Career Paths in Personal Shopper Jobs

Advancing in your career as a personal shopper requires a combination of continuous learning, building experience, expanding your network, and seeking new opportunities. Here are some strategies to help you:

• Stay updated on fashion trends, industry developments, and styling techniques. Consider attending workshops, seminars, and personal shopping, fashion, and styling conferences. Also, obtaining certifications or advanced courses enhances your expertise and makes you more competitive.
• Consider specializing in a specific niche or target market to differentiate yourself and cater to a specific clientele. This could be in luxury fashion, sustainable fashion, bridal styling, or wardrobe consulting for specific demographics. Becoming an expert in a particular area can help you attract high-profile clients and establish yourself as a sought-after personal shopper.
• Seek opportunities to work with diverse clients in retail settings or on various projects. This allows you to expand your portfolio, demonstrate versatility, and better understand different client preferences and needs. Consider freelancing, volunteering, or taking on side projects to gain diverse experience and broaden your skill set.
• As you gain experience and expertise, explore leadership roles within personal shopping departments, fashion, or imaging companies. This could involve managing a team of personal shoppers, overseeing client relations, or contributing to strategic decision-making.

As a personal shopper, you can explore various career paths. Here are some that may appeal to you:

• interior designer
• merchandise manager
• beauty consultant
• retail buyer
• visual merchandiser

Personal Shopper Jobs: Similar Occupations

Looking for something a little different? Check out these related roles:

• secret shopper jobs
• picker packer jobs
• purchasing assistant