The Work

A Mystery Shopper visits Stores, Supermarkets, Garages, Banks or other retail and service outlets, posing as a customer who requires their services.

As a Mystery Shopper, you are expected to comment and report on such things as the quality of the service experienced, the appearance of the interior etc. You will generally be given clear guidelines on how to conduct the mystery shop.

Tasks may include:

• Monitor store standards
• Apply scores to the shop interior and exterior
• Assess hygiene and cleanliness
• Audit stock levels
• Check that promotions are being highlighted
• Monitor customer service standards, staff presentation and performance.

Mystery shoppers are usually provided with a  specific checklist of items to look out for. The job requires them to be extremely fair and objective in their evaluation.

As well as Mystery Shoppers who visit retail stores, Telephone Mystery Shoppers are employed to evaluating a clients’ inbound customer service.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

This is an entry level job which does not require any qualifications or specific experiences, but you usually have to be a minimum of 18 years old.

Other common criteria include:

• An ability to write about a customer experience you had
• Have a computer, tablet or smartphone, and a printer
• Good internet connection, a personal email address and a telephone number
• Access to a digital camera or camera phone

Garda vetting can form part of the application process for employment as Mystery shopper in line with PSA Private Security Authority Fit & proper Guidelines.  

Training & Development

There is usually not many opportunities for building a full-time career as a mystery shopper, but the observation and communication skills that you develop as a mystery shopper can be useful in a wide range of sectors and any service oriented careers.

Training in Retail, Customer service, Tourism & Hospitality can form a solid basis for application for jobs as Mystery shopper.

FET Centre Traineeship: Retail Associate, Customer service, Security, Sales NFQ Level 4-5 Search FET Traineeship 

Further education & training centres PLC: Retail, Customer service, Security, Sales, Tourism & Hospitality at NFQ Levels 5-6  Search our FET PLC coursefinder 

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €5k - €31k

Work is often for entry level wages and on a part time temporary basis, so income can vary greatly depending on shifts worked. Salaries vary by location, employer, shift pattern, experience, and duties. 

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

There was a large fall in employment levels between 2021 and 2022, declining by over 9.000 persons. Employment for this occupation is across a number of roles (e.g. sales supervisors, window dressers, street traders and debt collectors). A shift in business models, particularly to online selling, may reduce the demand for in-person sales related activities (e.g. van sales persons or window dressers) in the coming years.

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