If you’re reading this it’s probably because you’ve recently applied to join our Mystery Shopping team and you’re keen to find out what happens next. Perhaps you applied then emailed our team asking why you hadn’t heard back yet.
If you have already applied, then Congratulations on taking the first step in becoming a mystery shopper with Above Benchmark! We value your interest in joining our mystery shopping team and improving customer service.
If you haven’t applied yet and you’re here to learn more, then kudos to you for doing your research. We look forward to receiving your application soon. Perhaps you found our site through the Presto app, in which case please read this article which explains the difference between Presto and Sassie and explains why you don’t have instant access to our system.
Let’s dive in!
The 6 steps to becoming an Above Benchmark Mystery Shopper
- Complete an application
- Have a phone interview
- Set-up your Shopping Profile on our system
- Successfully conduct your first Mystery Shop
- Submit your written report by the deadline
- Receive your payment
Step 1:
Complete an application
If you’d like to join our team of Mystery Shoppers, the first step is completing the application form on our website. This is the only way we accept applications.
Submitting an application does not mean you are “registered” as a mystery shopper for Above Benchmark, it means you applied.
Unlike a few of our competitors, all applicants do not get instant access to our reporting platform and Job Board. Our Job Board and client info is confidential and is only available to Mystery Shoppers who have successfully completed the recruitment process.
Every year, we receive thousands of applications, and while many aren’t genuine, they can still clog up the system. If you want to get our attention and make your application stand out, here’s what we’re looking for:
- Are answers well written?
- Did they write in complete sentences, use punctuation, good grammar, etc.?
- Did they put in effort?
- Did they show enthusiasm?
- Did they use A.I.?
- Do they understand the role?
- Do they have experience?
- What skills or life experiences do they have that would benefit the role?
- Where are they available to mystery shop?
- When are they available and what else are they working around?
- Are they a good match for our clients in their area?
- Why do they want to be an Above Benchmark Mystery Shopper?
We strongly recommend that you use a desktop or laptop to submit your application. Make sure you have good, stable wifi, because if it drops out, you might lose your progress. Put the same effort into your application as you would put into a Mystery Shop report. Over 20 years of recruiting Mystery Shoppers has taught us that if minimal effort was put into the application, the same minimal effort will be put into writing the Mystery Shop report and that’s not a risk we take.
We carefully review applications and recruit mystery shoppers in areas where we currently have clients and available mystery shops. We match shoppers to opportunities. This allows you to begin mystery shopping as quickly as possible upon acceptance and sign up, ideally within your local community, and ensures that you can have an immediate impact.
Step 2:
The phone interview
As far as we’re aware, we are THE ONLY Mystery Shopping Provider in Australia to interview every Mystery Shopper before they’re invited to join our team. That’s a big claim and one we’re very proud to make.
If your application progresses to our shortlist and we have an opening, we’ll contact you to organise a phone interview. We will call and leave a message, we’ll send a text and an email. We’ll hold a position for about 2 business days, if we don’t hear back in that time, we move on to another applicant.
Typically we conduct phone interviews between 10am and 2:30pm on weekdays. Phone interviews are booked in advance so you can be in a quiet place and focused on the call. We don’t do phone interviews when applicants are driving, shopping or when they’re at work in another job.
Phone interviews usually take around 20 minutes, depending on how much (if any) experience the applicant has and how many questions they have about our company or the role.
What we listen for during the phone interview:
- Does the applicant speak clearly?
- Does the applicant answer questions honestly?
- General communication skills
- Availability
- Expectations
The Phone Interview is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about our company and the role.
Step 3:
Set-up your Shopping Profile on our system
If your interview is successful, we’ll invite you to join our team. We will email you details and instructions on how to create your Shopping Profile on our system.
Our system is the most widely-used Mystery Shopping platform on the globe. That means it’s BIG and thorough. We’ll guide you through what you need to do and it’s up to you to follow the instructions independently and get set-up.
We’ll tell you how to navigate to our Job Board and find and apply for your first Mystery Shop.
If we invite you to join our team, you’ll need to log in, create your profile and apply for your first Mystery Shop in 48 hours.
By filling in your profile accurately, you set yourself up for success in applying for mystery shopping assignments that suit you.
Step 4:
Successfully conduct your first Mystery Shop
All Mystery Shopping assignments come with a set of detailed instructions, requirements and a submission deadline. If you accept a Mystery Shopping Assignment, it’s your responsibility to complete it during the required timeframe. If you have questions about your assignment, you can contact us any time.
It’s critical that you fully understand and follow all the instructions. We pride ourselves on writing clear instructions, but it’s your responsibility to read and follow them.
If something happens and you can’t conduct your Mystery Shop assignment during the timeframe you agreed to, you must let us know. We may be able to offer you a short extension or we may have to give the assignment to another Mystery Shopper.
Step 5:
Submit your written report by the deadline
Once you conduct the Mystery Shop, you have to complete the report. Your report needs to be submitted by 9am the morning after you conduct the Mystery Shop. In most cases, we will not accept or pay late reports. As a professional Mystery Shopper, you’re responsible for meeting deadlines and organising your time.
The submission deadline is to help ensure reports are accurate and interactions are explained in good detail. We encourage Mystery Shoppers to complete their report as soon as possible after conducting the assignment. Our software works on mobile devices and we have a quick print feature, if you’d like to complete a paper-copy immediately after.
Step 6:
Receive your payment
At Above Benchmark we’re proud to have the fastest Mystery Shopping payments in the country. Above Benchmarks pays fairly and quickly, straight into your Australian bank account. We don’t pay in vouchers, freebies, or Paypal.
We process payments weekly. If your report is submitted by Sunday night, we will process your payment the Friday after. However if your report is incomplete or requires extensive follow-up for clarification, your payment may be delayed by a week.
Embarking on your mystery shopping journey with Above Benchmark opens doors to exciting opportunities to enhance customer experiences and provide valuable feedback to our clients. Stay tuned for future correspondence and make the most of your role as a mystery shopper by signing up to other mystery shopping providers.
For more tips, please visit our article Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Mystery Shopper.
Remember, at Above Benchmark, we’re committed to fostering a rewarding and impactful experience for our mystery shoppers. If you haven’t already applied, what are you waiting for? Start your application now to be an Above Benchmark mystery shopper.
FAQ:
How do I apply?
You can submit your application on our website here
How do I get my application noticed?
Show us your best writing skills! Be honest and put in some effort.
What shouldn’t I do in my application?
Don’t exaggerate, don’t outright lie, don’t use AI and don’t be too brief or casual.
Will I be contacted after I apply?
Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of applications that we receive, we can’t personally reply to everyone. You will receive an auto-reply confirmation via email after you submit your application. If you don’t see it in your inbox, please check your other mail folders.
Why are applications unsuccessful?
There are a few reasons why we do not invite some applicants to join our team. Some of the more common reasons are below
- The application was not well written. It might have been full of typos, poor grammar and incomplete sentences
- The application was too brief, too casual or incomplete. We do not consider applications that contain one word answers
- The applicant used AI to write their answers
- We might not have any openings in that area
- We might have an opening but its not a match for the application
- There might be a conflict of interest
What happens to unsuccessful applications?
If temporarily unsuccessful, we might hold the application for a future role. This could be due to timing, availability or current project criteria. If the application is completely unsuccessful, we archive it. We will not: contact you again; share or sell your information; or re-market to you.
Do I have to accept a Mystery Shopper position if offered?
Definitely not. If during or after your phone interview, you decide that this isn’t the role for you, you can decline. We strongly encourage you to do some research before applying.
Can I apply more than once?
Yes. If you applied, then read this article and feel you sold yourself short, you’re welcome to re-apply. Alternatively if you applied and your situation has changed (you now have more experience or are available to service different suburbs, then please complete a new application.
How often does Above Benchmark recruit Mystery Shoppers?
We only recruit and engage shoppers in areas where we currently have active client work available. This approach allows us to provide regular, meaningful opportunities rather than onboarding shoppers in locations where there are no assignments to offer. Similarly, in regions where we already have an adequate or high number of registered shoppers, we may pause recruitment to avoid oversaturation. By aligning our recruitment with real client demand, we maintain a reliable network of engaged shoppers while ensuring each contractor has a genuine opportunity to receive work.
Even if we don’t have immediate opportunities in your area, rest assured that we value your application. We keep all applications on file and will reach out when suitable assignments become available, it may even be some time after you completed your application.
