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 student in particular feel disgusted by this need to know the right people, one insider says that worry is unnecessary. Student often think that they cannot make connection when they are in the college boundaries,” says a career counselor from a top New York fashion school. This is totally a myth. Connection is just a another word for relationships. You have relationships with other students, professors, career counselors, the school administration and many others. An acquaintance at your workplace or school will provide you valuable information. It’s all come through networking. If you want the job in your industry it is necessary to discuss your job search with the people you know and the people they know. Ask questions like openings in the company, and request informational interviews. Fashion students seek relevant internships. After their internships 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 of the fashion internships are in design, marketing and production – and unpaid. Like in the entertainment industry work experience is much important then actual education. You will need some education to get in the door, but after that your resume or connection will get you further. It is better to get an internship or even a part time job in sales or merchandising to get started if you want to go into fashion or retail industry. Each experience on your resume will help you to get a job next time. Although many internship are posted in publication section , and many internship searches are self directed because many are never publicized. But if the position is at a popular company or designer, the internship will never be posted since everyone want it on his or her resume.
Make sure to express your urge to learn and help the company if you may not have a responsible profile in the organization. Once you are in the company you can easily find out the other openings in the company even if they may not have opened yet. Build your resume so that you can get the interviews and introductions. Even if you’re current job in 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 are thinking of the latter, 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 schools of thoughts. If you want to climb high some insiders suggest that it is necessary to switch to any other company. According to one knowing source, “Many companies have non-mobile positions, where employees are “pegged” in certain roles. In other words we can say that if you are an assistant of the company everybody will see you as an consultant only. ” Others contend that it’s best to stay put. “To move up the ranks, you have to be a 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.
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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