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 show your desire 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 the company you can easily find out the other openings in the company even if these openings have not opened yet. Make our resume in such a way so that you get the interviews and introduction. Even if your initial job in the fashion industry may not pay you well. There are several options here – you work to get the experience or to learn enough to start your own business. If you thinking of the latter one then take any experience you can. It will pay off later.
Take initiative
While different fashion positions require different skills, most insiders agree that the industry overall calls for initiative, patience and a strong degree of independence. One insider add that it\’s good to have a boss who is going to be a good mentor and who will push you also. Insiders have their gripes despite the glamour, prestige and job satisfaction. One informant says that its too competitive both within the industry. People are sometimes unethical. They might have give you commitment but then drop the ball. Sometimes clients cancel the order and I end up losing the 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
If you want to move up the fashion ranks there are two school of thought. Some insiders swear that it is necessary to switch companies if you want to climb high. 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. In other word if you want to move u the rank it is best to stay put. For this you have to be a hard worker, know the right people or lie it 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.
Examine the company literature and read the company web site is a good option. Just see the most recent articles on the company development. Some insider\’s advices that it is good if you go to the library of a fashion school and then ask somebody if you don\’t able to find information. It is good if you ask the employer that how they work and what they do exactly. Last but not least go and shop the brand or retailer. You should know this thing that what type of Product Company deals in. Also research the company biggest rivals. General knowledge of key fashion players is also important. Insiders recommend brushing up on your mental database of trendsetter: Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Alexander McQueen and Ralph Lauren, among others.
On the day of the interview, make a impression in front of the person who is taking your interview. You cant be a bump on a log answering question, even if you have a great resume and portfolio. Let your personality show through, because the interview is also about fit. Also she added that don\’t ask about the salary at least not on the first round of your interview. It is good if you ask smart questions like about the company, your position, and even interviewer experience also. An employer will definitely hire you if he thinks that you are quick and willing to learn.
As far as the dress code concern, insiders recommend careful consideration. Employers usually notice what interviewees wear and how they wear it. \”As soon as they see you they make their conclusion about you. Like the wise person has said that your first impression is the last impression. And while this scenario might not always hold true, it is a good idea to dress well. \”Nothing radical,\” says another insider.\” it\’s generally better to be slightly overdressed than under dressed.
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