|
Put Some Mystery in Your Life
Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private eyes and undercover detectives. That's fair. In Nevada, a mystery shopper is required to register with a firm that is in association with the Private Investigative Licensing Board. Somewhat funny, but true. If you shop, and I'm sure you do, you have probably bumped into someone on a shopping assignment. Did you notice them? Doubtful. Or you may have found yourself on the receiving end of an evaluation by a mystery shopper. Did you realize it at the time? Probably not. But what is mystery shopping exactly? And can you really make money for shopping? Mystery shoppers are primarily independent contractors. They receive their assignments from mystery shopping companies. These companies have been contracted by various businesses in need of mystery shoppers. Mystery shoppers handle a wide range of assignments. They may be required to order a personalized bracelet at a fine jewelry store and then return it. (Not an easy assignment. I actually had that one once). They may be asked to gamble at a local casino, or take in a popular movie. They may be asked to take their dog to a groomer, visit an auto dealer, or go to a spa. The possibilities are truly endless. A mystery shopper doesn't know from day to day what new adventure may land in their inbox. And some assignments truly are an adventure. Cruise ships use mystery shoppers. Any adult can be a mystery shopper. Both men and women are shoppers. Shoppers may be employed, unemployed, self-employed, or retired. There are programs for shoppers that offer certification, but it is in no way required to be a mystery shopper. Mystery shopping companies provide any special training that may be needed. Internet access is becoming more and more necessary to work with most mystery shopping companies, but there are some small companies that don't require it. The Assignments. Each shop has detailed instructions, so it's very important to be able to follow instructions. It's equally important to be observant and reliable. While you are mystery shopping, you will be observing customer service, product knowledge of the salesperson, quality, and other standards important to both the business and its customers. After a shop is finished, a report is completed. It may take a few minutes, an hour, or even longer. If the thought of completing a report makes you wince in pain, then mystery shopping is definitely not for you. In some cases, you will perform video shops. In these instances, you will be trained on how to use special video shopping equipment. (Video only...no audio for legal reasons). This sort of shop really does make you feel like a private detective and is quite fun. How much a mystery shopper earns depends on the type of shop, time required to perform the shop, and the difficulty of the shop. Note: Mystery shoppers use their own money on assignments. They are not always reimbursed for items not returned. Payment for the shop may take as long as two months. Sample assignments and fees: * Retail Stores: Payments typically range from $5 - $40. * Supermarkets: $5 - $10. * Fast Food: $5 - $10 Cost of the meal. * Dine in Restaurants: $15 - $50 Cost of the meal. * Haircuts: $10 - $40 Cost of the haircut and styling. * Banks: $10 - $50. * Furniture or Appliance Stores: $10 - $20. * Apartments or New Homes: $25 - $50. Many shoppers do this in their spare time. They may earn $100, $200, $500, or more per month. Some shoppers make their living as full time mystery shoppers. It's not easy though. It usually requires working with a large number of mystery shopping companies -- perhaps 60 or more. Full time shoppers have their hands full -- juggling assignments, reports, and due dates. Full time shoppers must be very organized, but it can be financially rewarding. Full time shoppers can earn $40,000 per year and more! Shoppers receive 1099's from the mystery shopping companies each year. Companies are required to send 1099's to contractors who are paid $600 or more per year, but some companies will send you a 1099 regardless of the amount you were actually paid. Although you don't have to pay to mystery shop, you may consider joining a mystery shopping site. These sites charge a fee to access their directory of mystery shopping companies. You could probably find some of these companies on your own, but it is doubtful that you could find all of them. Mystery shopping is not for everyone, but for those who want to put some mystery in their lives...without endangering themselves...it doesn't get any better than mystery shopping. Doralynn Kennedy About the Author: Doralynn Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of 'The Work at Home Network' and 'Affordable Advertising Solutions' located in Colorado. http://doralynn.net and http://doralynn.net/ad_solutions.html
MORE RESOURCES:
Jobs City of Rochester (.gov)
Careers Washington State University
Work With Us National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
JobFeed NSW Department of Education
Jobs Dublin City University
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Start Working Before You Get Hired
What if there were a way to *prove* to any sane employer that you alone were the one to hire?Would learning how to do that interest you? I thought so.I call this the "start-working-before-you-get-hired" job-hunting method.
Minding Your Own Business
Think you have gone as far as you can in your present job? Instead of looking around for a similar position in another company, you may want to strike out on your own as a consultant.With a greater acceptance of telecommuting and companies outsourcing a number of their functions, individuals may want to consider being an independent consultant.
Top Ten Guidelines For Working With Executive Recruiters
1. Select the right type of recruitment partnerDetermine whether you would be best served by a retained, contingency, contract or research based partner at a global, national or local level.
What Do You Want From Life?
The tragedy for millions of people is that they never decidewhat they want from life and make plans for it. Life will provide whatever we demand.
Dazzle Interviewers With Your Achievements
Attention Job Seekers: Tasks and Responsibilities are BoooringHo hum. The interviewer sits there drumming her fingers on the desk trying to look interested while you drone on about your duties and responsibilities at your last position.
TMI: The Resume Destroyer
"They say my résumé should be only one page long. Is that correct?"Not necessarily.
Hot Business Trends for 2004? And Beyond: Maybe One Will Turn Into a Creative Business Idea for You
I always look forward to the December issue of Entrepreneur magazine. That's the issue that features the publisher's annual pick of hot businesses, markets, and trends for smart entrepreneurs - or those who aspire to be.
What To Do When HR Calls...
Generally, when you present yourself as a prospective candidate for a new employment opportunity, your information will filter through the Human Resources department. Since every company has their own hiring process, understand that you cannot always control when HR will call you.
Taking Job Loss Seriously
Anyone reading this article and hassuffered a job loss recently IStaking the job loss seriously. Thestages often are:
1.
The Changing Values Landscape of the U.S. and How It Impacts Midlife Job Searchers, Part Two
The values landscape of our nation is changing, and with it your personal values landscape is changing as well. What does this mean and what does it have to do with midlife?
Researcher Dr.
Job Offer Negotiations: Getting What You Want
You have worked hard at finding your next job. You have come through many obstacles and have reached your career objective.
Dont Settle
Chuck was the best of the twenty-four candidates. Still, he didn't have exactly what I was looking for and my instincts warned me of his unusual personality.
Resurgence of the Time Sheet: Why You Should Write Down Your Workday Activities
One day I walked into my boss's office and said, " I think all staff should do a time sheet, including you, from now on." I definitely surprised her but the results of thisrequest certainly got the attention of all of our staff.
Searching for an Executive Job
A job search for executives is far less complicated today than it has been in the past. Anyone who is looking for an executive job can simply look to the Internet where there are hundreds of employment websites, with many specifically geared towards executives.
Those Little Things
Moving to another state meant finding a new dentist. I tried one a neighbor recommended who seemed friendly, competent and eager to please.
Make Your Resume Keyword Rich and Scanner Friendly
If you haven't looked for a job recently, there are new tactics that hiring professionals are using that you should be aware of before updating your resume.Employers and recruiters increasingly rely on electronic resumes, resume posting boards and job banks to find job candidates.
The Recruiting Truth...Time Is Not On Your Side
In today's marketplace things are constantly changing and so are the needs of just about each and every organization. Whether your company is growing organically or inorganically, whether your company is growing domestically or internationally or for one reason or another you just have pain, your organization must be in a position to attract top talent and attract it quickly! But attracting it is only the first part of the equation.
Prepare for YOUR Future now --
All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of promises about YOUR 'social security' when running for the top job. Regardless of the promises, YOU are the one who has to live or die by the future plans made on your behalf.
Gray Hair, Black Prospects
If you're reading this article, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that discrimination has become much more sneaky than in the past. No one comes out and say, "We're not hiring you because you're too old.
Resumes That Rock (16 Expert Tips)
It's never too early to update your resume, even if you're not searching for a new job. Why? Updating your resume is a valuable reminder to yourself of your practical value to employers.
|