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JobMonkey
Volume X, Issue #12
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How to Become a Mystery Shopper & The Power of Negotiating
Welcome to the JobMonkey Newsletter. Would you like to earn more money? (Who wouldn't, right?)
Whether you have a full-time job outside of the home or if you are currently unemployed and looking for a job, mystery shopping is one of the best - and most fun - ways to earn a little bit of extra cash. You won't get rich, but our feature article will tell you how much you can expect to earn, how to avoid the scam artists - and where to find the plum assignments.
While you're here, don't forget to check out some of the hottest job openings in the JobMonkey Job Center Spotlight.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) VISIT OUR POWERFUL NEW JOB CENTER TODAY
2) Career Adviser: The Power of Negotiating
3) Spotlight: Earn Extra Money as a Mystery Shopper
4) Hot Jobs from the Job Center
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UPDATE YOUR JOB CENTER PROFILE TODAY
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In last week's newsletter we reminded you to update your resume(s) and profile in our new Job Center. If you haven't created a profile yet, then wander over to the Job Center and take a look around.
- Dozens of new jobs are posted every day...applying is easy
- Search for jobs by industry category, location, and more
- Browse thousands of employer profiles organized by industry
- Create resumes or upload one you already have
- Create customized job agents
You don't need an account to search jobs but with an account employers will more easily find you and it's quicker to apply for jobs!
All you need to do is click the Sign Up link and follow the simple instructions.
Already have an account? If so, but you haven't accessed it in a while, then please do this:
- Log In with your email address and password.
- Click on the Manage Resumes link to updated existing resumes. If your resume was created in the old system, then its formatting should be reviewed carefully and updated as necessary. First impressions with employers are really important! Make sure your resume looks good!
- OR, Click on the Add Resume link to create a resume.
Happy job searching!
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CAREER ADVISER: The Power of Negotiating
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by Amy Lindgren
One of the least enjoyable yet most profitable tasks in job search is the negotiation process. It's ironic that so many people shy away from doing the very thing that will enhance job satisfaction, but that's the way things go sometimes. We do tend to disregard our vegetables even though we know they're what's best for us.
One reason people don't place negotiation high on the list when it comes to job search is that they assume that some or most jobs can't be negotiated. This is frankly wrong, as every occupation has at least one component that can be shaped to the job seeker's needs.
As a short list, you might be able to negotiate salary, commission, hiring bonus, schedule, vacation, health care, training, conference registration, professional association membership, early review and promotion, telecommuting, equipment, and even summer internship opportunities for your relatives.
Of course, you can't negotiate everything with every employer; indeed some situations, such as government jobs, may seem particularly difficult to shape. Even so, it's important to consider the likely options and choose at least one thing to request. Why? First, because you'll never have as much leverage as you do when an offer has been made but not yet accepted by you. And second, because you want to start the working relationship on the right foot, as one where you respectfully request things that you need, not one where you the employer decides everything on your behalf.
Just remember to keep the right timing in mind. You won't have anything to negotiate until you've been offered the job, so you'll do better to keep your requests to yourself until then.
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SPOTLIGHT: Earn Extra Money as a Mystery Shopper
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Mystery shopping is one of those part-time jobs you see advertised in the back of magazines. It sounds too good to be true. It seems like it must be a scam. Right?
Wrong! Mystery shopping is actually a very real thing and it is very possible to earn some nice part-time income from doing it. The key is to know all the facts before you dive in - as there are, unfortunately, plenty of scam operations in the mystery shopping niche.
Keep your salary expectations in check
Most mystery shopping jobs pay between $5-$15 per JOB. That's not a lot of money, but there is usually an in-kind reimbursement as well, meaning the restaurant meal, groceries, new sweater, or movie that you are reviewing gets comped.
If you seeing offers of thousands of dollars in compensation, odds are the job is a scam.
It doesn't take that long
While the money is not six-figure, the time involved is also minimal. In most cases, you won't spend more than 30 minutes shopping (or dining, or filling up gas, etc.) and another 20-30 minutes completing your report online or in writing.
If you are seeing week-long or even day-long assignments, odds are the job is a scam. Investigate further - and never give out your credit card information over the phone or Internet.
The sky is NOT the limit
Marketing companies can elect to use mystery shoppers for all types of assignments - from your checking out the service and food at McDonald's to flying first class to Tokyo. Realistically, however, 99% of the mystery shopping assignments are local, regular type gigs.
If you are seeing promises of first-class air travel and five star luxury resort vacations, you are probably being taken for a ride.
What can you expect?
Just because fine dining and first-class flights are probably not in the stars for you that doesn't mean Mystery Shopping is going to be boring. Here are the types of establishments you can expect to be sent to in your first several assignments:
- beauty supply stores
- drug stores, such as CVS or Walgreens
- national big box stores like Target
- retail stores, such as Old Navy and the Gap
- local and national banks and savings & loans
- casual dining establishments like Applebees or TGIFridays
- pet stores
- movie theatres
- bowling alleys
- gas stations
- motels and hotels
- conference centers
If you would like to launch your part-time career as a mystery shopper, learn more from the JobMonkey's section on Mystery Shopping Jobs.
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