Introduction to the career
A personal shopper is a profession that involves assisting clients in shopping for clothing, accessories, and other personal items. Personal shoppers work with an individual in order to create their desired look or style, based on their personality, preferences, and budget. Personal shoppers may work in retail stores, luxury department stores, or as independent consultants.
Career values, traits, and skills
Personal shoppers typically have strong interpersonal and communication skills, as they must interact with clients regularly to understand their needs and preferences. Additionally, they possess excellent organizational skills to track their client’s style preferences, likes, and dislikes. Understanding the latest fashion trends, colors, and styles is also essential, as they must keep their clients up to date with the latest fashion trends.
Career path
There are no specific educational requirements to become a personal shopper, although completion of fashion or retail courses is highly desirable. Working in fashion retail outlets, luxury stores, or fashion houses as an assistant is an excellent way to gain relevant work experience. The career path for personal shoppers may involve becoming a head personal shopper, starting an independent consultancy, or even an online personal shopping business.
Salary range
The annual salary of a personal shopper may vary depending on the level of experience, employer, location, and client base. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a personal shopper is around $53,797 annually.
Tips for success
To succeed as a personal shopper, below are a few tips:
- Develop strong communication skills to understand client needs.
- Keep up to date with the latest style trends and fashion news.
- Have excellent organizational skills to keep track of client preferences.
- Have a strong sense of customer service and maintain a professional and personable attitude.
- Gain experience in retail sales, customer service, or working with people to understand their preferences.
References
- The Balance Careers. (2021). Personal Shopper Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/personal-shopper-524901
- Glassdoor. (2021). Personal Shopper Salary. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/personal-shopper-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm
