Personal shopper

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

• Level 1 Award in Customer Service
• Level 1 Extended Certificate in Making it in Fashion
• Level 2 Award in Understanding Customer Service in the Retail Sector
• Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Retail

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start as a retail assistant and take bookings for people wanting 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 some experience in retail, you can apply for a role as an assistant personal shopper and learn on the job.

You can apply directly to employers if you have some of the 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.

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

Career tips

If you want to work as a personal shopper for clothing, you'll have a definite advantage if you've got skills in fashion or design. Many self-employed personal shoppers have this sort of background.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join an organisation like the Federation of Image Professionals International for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a personal shopper from the Federation of Image Professionals International.

You'll need:

• 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
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• meeting customers who’ve booked an appointment
• getting to know customers’ likes, dislikes and budget
• selecting goods or services to meet customers’ demands
• meeting individual and team sales targets
• making sure unsold goods are returned to the right departments
• following store security procedures on payment, packing and collection
• using computer systems and filling in paperwork

You could work at a store.