How do I get Mystery Shopping References

I want to try either scheduling or editing (prefer editing, but willing to try scheduling too). I have extensive experience, as an Editor and a Volunteer Coordinator. However, I'm struggling with getting mystery shopping references. I've reached out to some of my schedulers, asking them if they'd be willing to offer a reference. Some I have not heard back from, and others have said they cannot provide references because we are IC's. I don't want to list anyone from my daytime job (as they would be irrelevant...I'm a social worker, working with adolescents in a hospital). How can I get around this? Should I exhaust all my schedulers first, before branching out?

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Have you applied as a scheduler or editor with a particular company and has the company asked for mystery shopping references? If not, I wouldn't worry until/unless they as. A Closer Look is looking for both schedulers and editors right now. Someone else told me that International Service Check is looking for schedulers.

What I have always seen has been an editor or scheduler suggested that the company contact me to become a scheduler or editor. So if I really wanted to become either and had no invitation, I would contact those companies with whom I had a good reputation. For scheduling it would most likely be through my scheduler with whom I have built a good rapport (unless, of course, my scheduler is an outside scheduler with a scheduling service). For editing I would make sure it was with a company where my shop scores consistently showed that 'I got it'. Since editors are frequently anonymous I might need to contact the owner of the company and hope that they would forward my email to the correct person.

AustinMom, yes, I was contacted by one company, and sought out another. Both have asked me to send my resume, and both asked for 2 references. I don't know what to do. If one asked for references, and one didn't, I'd focus on the one that didn't ask for references, and then build up to apply to the one that does want references. Would it look bad if I explained the situation to the MSCs, and offer to work for a 2-week trial period, to prove myself and my abilities?

I think you can use people from your current job. They are aware of your reliability, work ethic, responsibility, etc.

Agreed with Roxie. They are looking for professional references. It doesn't have to be from the MS community.

Did they ask for professional references, personal references or just references in general? I have seen all three asked. If they do not state professional, you can use friends. None of my friends have ever been contacted by email, phone call, text or snail mail to actually follow-up on the references.

When I was new in mystery shopping I fretted the first time a company asked me for a reference, because I wanted to keep my side career secret from everyone except for my immediate family. I found a couple of friends, swore them to silence, and have used their names every time. Neither has ever been contacted.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

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How do I get Mystery Shopping References

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