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. 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 fashion internships are in design, marketing, and production — and unpaid. If we see the entertainment industry here actual education isn’t important as work experience. You need some more education to get into the door, but after this your resume or connection will get you more further. Get an internship or even a part time job in sales or merchandising if you want to go into fashion or retail industry. Because each experience on your resume will help you better to get the internship or full time job next time. Many internship searches are self directed and some are posted in the trade papers. If the position is at 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

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.

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 a interview, establish a rapport with the person. “You cant be a bump on a log answering question, even if you are having a great resume and portfolio. Let your personality show through, because the interview is also about fit. And also don’t ask about the salary at least not on the first round. It is good if you ask intelligent questions about the company, positions and even the interviewer’s experience. Even if you lack interest in particular area an interviewer will hire you if he finds that you have the capability of grasping things quickly.

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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