Networking
If you ask around the fashion industry and you will find many people who dreamed of working there all their lives and people who are into their positions by chance. One associate designer maintains that you need a proper education if you want to get into the creative end of the industry. You need to study design for this. On the other hand Technical people such as buyer and inventory planner said people are more likely to have fallen into their jobs. No matter how they got into there, however, fashion professional admits this that instead of having talent industry contacts is much more important.”To find a job,” reveals an employee from federated, “it’s important to use the people you know. I found my first job through contacts, the next by sending an exploratory note and the third was luck – I got it out of a newspaper advertisement. I’d say my first job was the easiest to find.”
While many people — and fashion students in particular — might feel dismayed by this need to know the “right people,” one insider says worry is unnecessary. A career counselor from a top New York fashion school said that students often think they cannot make connections while confined within college walls. This is totally a myth. Connection is another word for making relations. You have relationships with other students, professors, career counselors, the school administration and many others. At fashion schools, most of the teachers have previous experience in the fashion industry.” What does that mean? An acquaintance at your school or workplace might already have valuable job information! It all comes down to networking. To find the right fashion job for you, it is necessary to discuss your job search with the people you know — and with the people they know. Ask questions, inquire about openings, and request informational interviews. Fashion students should attend as many college-sponsored events as possible and seek relevant internships. After a fashion internship has ended, they should keep in touch with their managers. A fashion career counselor confirms, “Those who serve as intern advisors often grow very fond of their interns. They want to know that you’ve graduated; they want to help and advise you.”
Internships
Most fashion industry are in design, marketing, and production – and unpaid. If we talk about the entertainment industry actual education isn’t important as work experience. If you want that your resume or connection will get you further then you need some education to get in the door. If you want to go into this line then at least get an internship or even a part time job in sales or merchandising to get started. Each experience on your resume will help you better to get a job further. Although many job searches are posted on publication section and many internships searches are self directed because many are never publicized. If the position is at a popular company or designer, the internship will never be posted since everyone will want it on his or her resume.
Make sure to express your willingness to learn and help the company – even if you think that your level of responsibility is not as high as you would like. Once you are in company you can easily find out the other positions before they may even be open. Make your resume updated and you can get the interviews and introduction. Of course your initial job in the fashion industry may not pay well. There are many options firstly you need to get the experience or to learn enough to start your own business. If you are thinking of the latter, take any experience you can. It will pay off later.
Take initiative
Many different fashion position require different skills, most insiders agree that the industry overall calls for initiative, patience and a strong degree of independence. One insider adds that it’s great to have a boss who can push you for your work and can mentor you. Despite the glamour, prestige and a job satisfaction, insiders have their gripes. It’s too competitive – both within the industry and the office, says one informant. “People are sometimes unethical. For example, they might give you a commitment, but then drop the ball. Sometimes, clients cancel orders and I end up losing thousands of dollars — in one day.” Fashion insiders toil long, strenuous hours. “It’s a huge time commitment,” offers another contact in buying. “I often start early and stay late — and I also travel a good part of the time. You lose perspective after so many hours.” A different buyer adds, ” I often spend 12 hours at work and eat lunch at my desk. Burnout. There’s a lot of burnout.”
Getting the job, acing the interview
There are two school of thought in regard to moving up the fashion ranks. Some insiders said that if you want to see yourself high it is necessary to switch companies. According to one knowing source Many companies have non mobile positions where employees are pegged in their certain roles. In other words if you are an assistant of the company everyone will perceive you as an assistant only. If you want to increase your ranks, you have to be hard worker, know the right people or lie on your resume, says one informant. I was a hard worker and I had a great boss who served as my mentor. By staying right where I was, I ended up moving up into key roles.”
Once the job interview has been arranged for the company candidate should do the extensive research.
Once the job interview has been arranged for you it is good if you do the extensive research on the company. Examine the company literature and read the company web site. Browse through a periodical guide for the most recent articles on company developments. If you don’t know how to find information it is good if you ask with some other person. It is good if you extract all the information with the employer, you must know exactly how they work and what they do. ” Last, and perhaps most importantly, go shop the brand or retailer. You should know this thing that what type of product company currently sells and carries. Also research the companies biggest competitors. Because it is good to have the general knowledge of the competitors. Insiders recommend brushing up on your mental database of trendsetter: Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Alexander McQueen and Ralph Lauren, among others.
Always establish a rapport in front of the person who is interviewing you. You cant be bump on a log answering question, even if you have a great resume and portfolio. Your resume is also about fit so let your personality also show through. She also continues that it is not good if you ask about the salary on the first round of the interview. It is good if you ask intelligent question about the company, position and even the interviewer experience. Even if you lack experience in a particular area, an employer may hire you if he or she thinks you are quick and willing to learn.
Insiders recommends a careful consideration when it comes on dress code. The person who is taking your interview always see that what you are wearing and how you wear it. With the same logic, one theatrical designer has advocated the careful observation about your clothes. While everybody knows that this situation not always hold true but it is always advisable to dress well when you go for an interview. Another insider quoted ” Nothing out of the norms, unless you are aspiring to be a fashion designer and the organization conduction interview is looking for out of the league and futuristic looks.” Good Tip – Be overdressed rather than under dressed.
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