Mystery Shopper's Manual

Writing Samples on Mystery Shopper Applications

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Most mystery shopping companies will ask you to provide a writing sample as part of the application process. The writing sample is important because it gives them a lot of information about your abilities.

The obvious thing they get from a writing sample is that they can see if you have a good command of the language. Mystery shoppers need very good spelling, grammar and punctuation skills. They need to be able to construct sentences that make sense and communicate ideas clearly. Your writing sample lets them know if you have the writing skills they are looking for.

But there is something else they get from your writing sample. It shows your mindset and skills as a mystery shopper. Continue Reading

Do You Have Airport Security Clearance?

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Photo courtesy of TSA.gov.
Photo courtesy of TSA.gov.
A mystery shopper recently asked:

I was signing up with a mystery shopping site and one of the questions asked on the application was, “Do you have airport security clearance?” My first thought was, “What do they want me to take on a plane that would require my having personal security clearance?”

Is this question typical? Why would a mystery shopping company want to know if I have airport security clearance? Should I just ignore that site and go on to the next?

The question is not on every application, but some mystery shopping companies have a legitimate reason for asking. No, they are not going to have you take anything on a plane. In fact, you don’t have to get on a plane to handle the assignments. The reason they ask is simple:Continue Reading

How Many Mystery Shopper Applications are Enough?

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mystery-shopper-applying-onlineThere are hundreds of legitimate mystery shopping companies—do you need to apply to all of them? Half of them? A few of them? How many companies do you need to work with?

First of all, only apply to legitimate mystery shopping companies. That means you should not apply to companies that charge you a fee or require you to sign up for “offers.” Refer to this list of nearly 200 legitimate mystery shopping companies: http://MysteryShoppersManual.com/mystery-shopping-companies

I recommend that secret shoppers sign up with as many companies as they can. You never know which company will come through with the most assignments for you, or even that dream assignment to mystery shop a resort or spa.

But your time is limited, right? So when do you stop applying and start mystery shopping? Continue Reading