Personal Shoppers

If you have spent any time at the mall, you probably already have enough shopping experience. And if you have had to buy clothes and gifts with limited funds, then you know something about budgeting. Sign up for the services of a personal shopper in a department store; in most stores the service is free, and you will get a sense of how a shopper works. Pay close attention to the information they request from you in the beginning, then ask them later about their decision-making process. Try to get a job at a retail clothing store. This will allow you to learn about fashion trends and the way people dress, as well as develop customer service skills. If you are a "super shopper," you should develop a presence on social media and provide shopping suggestions. This will help you to get noticed and build your clientele.

Talk with a personal shopper about his or her career. Ask your school counselor to help arrange an information interview. Suggested interview questions include: What made you want to enter this career? What do you like most and least about your job? What are some key skills for success? What advice would you give to young people about preparing for the field and being successful on the job?