How do I learn the following when it requires experience yet I can't get a beginer assignment to learn any of these. Does anyone have any advice?

Skills needed: Monthly Action Plans, Plan-o-grams, Zone-o-grams, ad set-up and takedown, promotional set-up and replenishment of promotional thresholds, bulk stacks, outposts, and end caps, and signage changes in department stores.

These are terms used in merchandising and should be explained in the training material of the webste you're looking at.

Getting experience as a newbie shopper, just apply till you get a shop and once you've a few you have experience and are more comfortable with other shops. Take on small easy low paying jobs in the beginning.

Thank you JudiG,
Those were in a job posting and they wanted experienced merchandisers. Ever job I see that wants merchandisers, they all want experience. I was just wondering how to get that experience. There doesn't seem to be any sites that are willing to train. How does one go about learning this? Do you know of any entry level shops willing to teach for low pay?

Donna

Hello, Donna,

<www.narms.com> has a training program that isn't expensive. I've seen a notice about it at the top right-hand side of the page. Some of the advertisements I've seen ask for a resume. Take what they are asking for and see what you have done that fits. If you need more information on what should be in a resume, email me. I have written resumes for other people for many years. If you are in a rural area, you might have a greater chance at a particular job. I wouldn't try to take something that mentions a lot of things I couldn't do. There is definitely a learning curve in merchandising. The good news: Although I haven't met many merchandisers, every one I have ever talked to seemed to like the work.

I don't do merchandising jobs but had a though on your question. I do not know if this is feasible or not, but you could check out the possibilities.

How about writing to the scheduler of these jobs and ask if it would be permissable for you to go to a couple of these jobs and observe the actual merchandiser assigned to the job do their thing? You wouldn't get paid, and I suppose the assigned merchandiser would have to agree to it, but it might get your foot in the door. You might even be able to help the merchandiser get it done for some real hands on experience, which would make the assignment go faster for them, which would be a bonus as they get paid a certain fee no matter how long it takes.

Just a thought, any schedulers out there that think this is a good idea?

JudiG was right you should start with the lower paying jobs. I am also a newbe but I have been fortunate to get job offers and I take the lower paying ones because I want to get a real feel for it and build up more confidence in myself as a Shopper. I have done a couple and so far it went really well. I think that the one thing that helps me is that I concentrate soley on what I have to do when I get there and I just go in and do my best. I also have a hand held PD and I go into the bathroom and record what I saw(if no one is in there but me of couse) and you have it on your Recorder and you do nnot have to worry about what you saw because you have it on your recorder and you don't have to try and remember everything when you have it fresh on your Recorder. I was nervous at first but then I said there is nothing to be nervous about just act natural and it works just be yourself. I have only done a couple but the companies and me are pleased and that is what you want to satisfy the Vendor and do EXACTLY what they ask. You will get get emails soon just hold on. I did not think I would get any because I live in a somewhat Rural area but it does not matter when they have work in your State they will see that you get them. The Vendors want just what you see they do not want our opinions we have to give them just what they ask for and no more.

If there are any Mystery Shoppers in Seneca, SC Walhalla, SC, Clelmson, SC Easeley or Greenville. I would like to hear from you because I live near these little towns. Greenville is not a small City by no means but the are mostly little towns I live near. Please contact me and we can trade information and maybe help each other in some way actually anyone can email pretaining to Mystery Shopping. Here is my email address jp19255@bellsouth.net.

My experience with Merchandising is that if you are in an area that desperately needs merchandisers, they will train you. After you sign up with the companies that do business in your area, you will usually receive an e-mail. I have found that even if you lack some of the skills they require, they are usually more than willing to work with you. Good Luck!