Networking

If you look into the fashion industry you will find that there are many people who dreamed of working over there and there are many people who stumbled into that position by chance. One associate designer said that if you want to get it into the creative end of the industry, you need a proper education. You need to study design for this. Technical people like buyers and inventory planners on the other hand are more likely to have fallen into their jobs. No matter how they got there, however fashion professional admits having industry contacts is much more important than having talent. “To find a job,” reveals an employee from federated, “it’s very important to use the people you know. He said that he found his first job through contacts, the next he got by sending an exploratory note and third was his luck– I got it out from 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. Students always think that they cannot make connection when they cannot make connection when they are in the college, says a career counselors from a top university from a top New York fashion school. This is totally a myth actually. Connection is al just another word for relationships. Because you have relationships with other students, professors, career counselors, the school administration and many others. At fashion school many teachers have their relationships with previous experience in the fashion industry. An acquaintance at your school or workplace might prove to be a good source of information. To find a right kind of job search for you it is important to discuss your job search with the people you know — and with the people they know. Inquire about the openings and request informational interviews. It is good if the fashion students will 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 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 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

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

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.

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.

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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