For Luca, mystery shopping started as a flexible way to earn money during his gap year. What he didn't expect was how much it would allow him to see, do and experience along the way. Since joining Serve Legal, he has travelled to locations he had never visited before, enjoyed the independence of planning his own work and balanced audits around major life experiences, including travelling across Australia, Bali and New Zealand.
From scenic audit routes through the Lake District to discovering hidden places much closer to home, Luca's story highlights why so many auditors enjoy the variety that comes with the role. We caught up with him to discuss what attracted him to Serve Legal, how the work fits around his lifestyle and what advice he would give to anyone considering becoming an auditor themselves.
Finding flexible work that fits
What initially attracted Luca to the role was the flexibility. At a point in life where plans can change quickly, whether because of travel, moving away, studying or other commitments, the idea of work that could fit around his schedule stood out.
“I loved that it was a flexible role,” Luca explains. “You can make it work around your schedule, drive to places yourself, and do it independently”. That independence is one of the things Luca values most. Rather than being tied to one place or one set shift pattern, mystery shopping gives him the freedom to organise his work in a way that suits him.
For Luca, this has made the role feel approachable. “You can take it at your own pace,” he says, “it is not intimidating, and the Serve Legal team are so understanding and able to work around your schedule”, something that is especially reassuring for anyone who might be considering their first batch of audits but feels unsure about what to expect.
Seeing new places
One of Luca’s favourite parts of being an auditor is the variety. No two days feel the same, and the role has taken him to places he might not have visited otherwise. “Auditing in new places makes every day a bit different,” he says. “I always get to go to places I’ve never been to before. There are incredible places really close to me that I never knew existed before this job, which is awesome.”
For Luca, this sense of discovery is a big part of what makes the work enjoyable. Even familiar areas can feel different when there is a reason to explore them properly, and auditing gives him a chance to visit new locations while earning at the same time.
Some experiences have been especially memorable. When asked which batch of audits stood out most, Luca immediately mentions a trip he did around Blackpool and the Lake District in January. “The trip I did around Blackpool and the Lake District was really amazing,” he says. “All of the audits were in really scenic areas, and I got to stay in a hotel which was lovely”. For Luca, that trip showed how the role can sometimes feel like much more than work. “Being in the Lake District and driving around there didn’t feel like work at all,” he adds.
It is easy to see why that experience stayed with him. A role that offers flexibility is one thing, but a role that can also take you to scenic places to explore and create memorable days out is something quite different.
Fitting around life, travel and plans
Another major benefit for Luca is how easily Serve Legal fits around his other commitments. Because the work is flexible, he can plan, communicate with his Area Managers and manage his availability around whatever else is going on. “It fits really well,” he says. “If I needed to go away for the weekend, I can” he says.
That flexibility has been especially useful during his gap year. Luca went travelling earlier this year, and says one of the best things about the role is being able to come back to it afterwards. “I went travelling around Australia, Bali and New Zealand, and having this job with Serve Legal meant I could go and do that, and then come back to it when I came home, which is really awesome” he says.
For students, gap year students or anyone with a changing schedule, that kind of flexibility can make a big difference. It means the role can work around life events, holidays, appointments and future plans, which is something not many other jobs allow you to do.
Flexible, varied and supportive
When asked to sum up his experience with Serve Legal in three words, Luca chooses: flexible, varied and supportive.
“Flexible, because of how easy it is to fit the role in with your life and commitments,” he says. “Varied, because each day is completely different and Supportive, because the Area Managers are always there to help with any issues that come up.”
It is a simple summary, but it captures exactly what Luca seems to value about the role. Serve Legal has given him work that fits around his life, takes him to new places and helps him build skills along the way. For Luca, mystery shopping has become more than just a gap year job. It has offered independence, memorable experiences, transferable skills and the opportunity to work in a way that genuinely suits him. And for anyone considering applying, his message says it all: give it a go!
If you want to be like Luca and take part in this incredible opportunity, click the link below and sign up today!