Customer services

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by private training organisations

College

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

• Level 1 Award in Customer Service
• Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills
• 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

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

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

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could start as a retail assistant and take bookings for people who want to use 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 experience in retail, you can apply for a role as a personal shopper and learn on the job.

Direct application

You can apply directly to employers if you have 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, or online.

Other routes

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

More information

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.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join an organisation like the Federation of Image Professionals International.

Further information

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

With experience, you could become a personal shopping manager, in charge of a team, or move into retail buying and merchandising.

You could also start your own business and work freelance on behalf of a number of stores, or shop for individual clients.