A passion for shopping can often be a draining experience on your wallet. The excitement that buying new clothes brings with it can often be washed away by the despair that an empty pocket causes. But what if shopping could boost your cash inflow rather than draining it? If that seems like something you would be excited by, then try your hand at the rather lucrative career of becoming a personal shopper. An occupation that allows people to help others shop, it is a field that usually focuses on (but is not restricted to) clothes. The path to becoming a successful and well-known personal shopper can be a difficult one. There is no qualification requirement, no examination that you need to pass, no standardized certification; and therefore, all you have in your armory to prove that you are the right person for the job is your sheer talent and your dedication to it. But I can provide you with a few tips to help you get started on your journey to become a personal shopper. First things first! Think about whether you actually want to be a personal shopper. Is that really where your heart lies? Because if, even for a minute, you think that this may not be the job for you, then you should reconsider. Let me explain why I say this. Some people are born with an inherent stylish aura about them. They know how to pick clothes, mix and match them, wear the correct accessories, and be impeccably turned out, no matter what the occasion. And a tinier section of these people can actually do the same for other people. If you can do the latter, then great. This may just be the career for you; but if you are considering a career as a personal shopper because 'you love shopping' and everyone compliments you on your sense of fashion, then maybe you should reconsider your decision. Having the perfect sense of style may not be enough. You need to be patient, communicative, understanding, have a discriminating taste, and be creative. Agreed that you don't need a certificate or a qualification to become a personal shopper. But that does not mean that your education stops there. You need to do your research and understand what goes into being a personal shopper. Are you going to focus only on fashion and clothes? Take up a course that teaches you about the basics of fashion so that you understand styles, periods of fashion, body types, etc. Is décor your dream shopping experience? Then try to do a course in interior decoration to learn the technicalities. While your personal sense and taste will help you more, being comfortable with the foundation and backbone of the field can take you a long way. Always, always be aware of what is happening in the industry. Keep your mind open to new trends and update what you make available to your clients. In-depth research of the industry will allow you to understand what niche you should be working in. It will also help you analyze the pros and cons of working in that field. When in a field that is as client-centric as personal shopping, it may be a good idea to initially work with someone who has a few years of experience in the field. This helps you understand the industry and gain some hands-on training which reflects well on your resumé. This experience will not only teach you everything that you need to know about the job at hand, it will also furnish you with contacts and credibility that you need in the industry to make it big (or initially to get your first client). The way to do this would be to call up personal shoppers who stay/work in your vicinity and ask them about internship opportunities. You could also contact bigger department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's, which provide personal shopping services. Assisting with someone will also allow you to learn details like how much you can charge someone for your services, how much time you should spend with them, the license you require, the challenges you will face, etc. And any good mentor will tell you that a good personal shopper needs two qualities the most: patience and energy. While working with someone is a good way to start your journey as a personal shopper, you need to chart out how you are going to move forward. You will need to figure out whether you want to work for a big retailer or branch out to become an independent shopper who works with clients on a private basis. You will need to work according to your future plans. Whether your eventual goal is to work for a big-time retailer or start your own service, you will need to work on a portfolio that you can show prospective clients. Build your contacts in the industry and create a name for yourself. More often than not, wannabe personal shoppers leave the field in a couple of years because they are unable to set themselves apart. In the time you spend with a mentor, try to figure out what you are good at and what areas you want/need to improve in. When with a big retailer, this will help you secure a position in the niche you are looking for. And when starting your own business, this will help you create a USP. This point is especially important if you are starting your own personal shopping service. Without proper promotion, your entire business may fall flat. Create social media accounts for yourself where you can promote your work and give other tips and advice to get people interested. Have a regularly updated website with your contact details, portfolio, and if possible, testimonials from clients. Ensure that this website is always up-to-date. There is nothing more off-putting than a website that seems like it hasn't been touched in months. Create a business card for yourself and hand them out to people you meet. Make flyers and pass them around. Spread the word through your friends and family. If you are ready to spend the moolah, then consider advertising in magazines that reach your target audience. These tips should help you break into the field of personal shopping, and successfully carve a niche for yourself. Remember that a good personal shopper does not need just creativity and flair for shopping well, but should also have good organizational skills and the ability to put their clients at ease. Television shows often make it look like you can get away with being brusque and upfront about the mistakes that your client is making, but this is far from true. So, be diplomatic and supportive. A personal shopper's job may seem glamorous (and it is so at some levels), but at the core of it lies a lot of hard work and the readiness to be available for your client at almost any time.