Freetrading Articles

Networking

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 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

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.

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.

The persons working as professionals recommend precautions observation about the clothes you are going to wear for the D-day. Definitely, employers are going to notice what the person coming for an interview to them is wearing and how. As some wise person had quoted "Your first impression is the last impression." With the same logic, one theatrical designer has advocated the careful observation about your clothes. Though, it is agreeable that this situation is not a universal truth but even then it's always advisable to dress well. 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.