A scheduler friend of mine emailed me a copy of the sample narrative that had been included on an application of a potential shopper. The sentences weren’t proofed. It was obvious that the shopper had not even read what he had written. The sentences weren’t even capitalized. Some of the sentences didn’t have a period at the end of them!

When shoppers are replying to job posts they see on various web sites, it is useful to give the best first impression that they can. Shoppers are contacting schedulers who probably don’t even know them. It isn’t possible to say, "I am in a hurry but I am a really good shopper." The potential shopper needs to shine each time a scheduler is contacted.

If a shopper was applying for a job at any business, an incomplete application would never be handed to the Human Resources contact. The same rules should apply to submitting an application for any mystery shopping assignment.

Here is an example of a great reply from a shopper for a casual dining assignment:

"Hi, my name is Jane Brown. I am interested in your casual lunch assignment in My Town, USA. I am available Monday, Wednesday and Friday for dinners and Tuesday or Thursday for lunch shops. I can be reached at (111) 555-1212.

I have been shopping for a year and eat out almost every day.

If the application requires a writing sample, the shopper can have a prepared sample for retail or dining. It doesn’t take that long to write something in Word or another program that will automatically check for spelling or grammar errors.

Taking time to get the job right the first time is key to making a good first impression.