Personal shopper

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by private training organisations

Entry requirements:

College

You can take a college course to help you get into this job. Examples include:

• Level 1 Award in Customer Service
• Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills
• Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing a retailer intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a retail assistant and take bookings for people who want to use a personal shopper.

You'll be the first point of contact in a store and will learn how to work well with a wide range of customers.

Once you have experience in retail, you can apply for a role as a personal shopper and learn on the job.

DirectApplication

You can apply directly to employers if you have relevant skills and knowledge needed for this role. Employers will look for a good standard of education, with GCSEs in English and maths.

You'll need experience of working with customers in a face-to-face setting like a shop, supermarket, restaurant or hotel, or online.

OtherRoutes

There are short courses available with private training providers on subjects like colour styling, image consultancy and personal styling.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to sell products and services
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persuading and negotiating skills
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• maths knowledge
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• business management skills
• concentration skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software

What you'll do:

Personal shoppers give advice to customers and suggest products that meet their needs.

As a personal shopper, you will:

• meet customers who’ve booked an appointment
• get to know customers’ likes, dislikes and budget
• select goods or services in store or online that fulfil customers’ needs
• meet individual and team sales targets
• make sure unsold goods are returned to the right departments
• follow store and online security procedures on payment, packing and collection
• use computer systems for customer records

Location : You could work at a store.

Salary:

Starter : £14,000
Experienced : £25,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a personal shopping manager, in charge of a team, or move into retail buying and merchandising.

You could also start your own business and work freelance on behalf of a number of stores, or shop for individual clients.