How to get a job in the fashion industry
Have you always wanted to work in the fashion industry? And that despite the fact that you may not have the appropriate education and qualifications? I am in the same situation. I have no education, only a few experiences, I learned everything I know by self-study. But everything can still work out and you have a chance to get a job. I will be happy to share with you useful advice and information that will help you get your dream job.
1. Choosing positions
Before we get to the practical part, we need to clarify first what we would like to do. Working in the fashion industry is a very broad term. After all, we will not mindlessly answer every ad with only a small connection to fashion. You will probably only receive a lot of negative answers, which will just destroy your motivation and determination. That’s why you need to think and realize your current skills and experience.
We choose the right position
Based on previous experience and skills, we should choose the positions to apply for, tailor our resumes and cover letters accordingly. For example:
- I used to do event management, so I could apply for similar positions with fashion brands. Organizing fashion shows can be a super challenge.
- If you can create digital art in graphics programs, you can switch to fashion illustration.
- The “Buyers” experience also comes in handy for fashion brands. Focus on buyer positions.
- If you are good at administration, apply for positions as assistants, back office, etc. in fashion companies.
- Do you have no relevant experience or are you a graduate? It doesn’t matter, even in that case something can be done.
Even if you have experience but simply want a change and a different position, it is always possible to do something about it and improve your qualifications. The choice is yours.
Good job positions to start with
If we are radically changing careers and do not have the perfect prerequisites for the new, dream one, we probably have to think about lower positions. Probably, someone won’t give us a job as Store Manager or Senior Designer right away. We can consider applying for positions:
- Assistant/Junior – positions with this in the title are likely to require less qualification or experience and therefore you might be more likely to get these positions. For example: Junior Buyer, Assistant to the Director, Deputy Store Manager etc.
- Client advisors/Shop Assistants – companies also hire graduates for these positions. It can be an advantage that you get to know the company from a basic position.
- Intern – a great opportunity for students to gain first experience. Don’t worry that your field is different. In fashion, you need a wide range of talent for different things.
Where to search?
Thanks to today’s technology and the Internet, everything is possible online. You can search for open positions:
- Directly on company websites.
- LinkedIn.
- Portals with job advertisements.
2. CV
CV is the most important thing. It is your presentation. You need to summarize as much information as possible in a very small space. And also to make the information relevant to the position. It’s also good to think about style.
Creating CV
You can create a stylish, strong CV in different ways:
- Canva – online editor and mobile application where you can easily create a beautiful CV. You can do it from scratch or with the help of ready-made patterns that are available for free. Then you can easily download the finished CV in pdf and send it out.
- MS Office – you can easily create a resume in Word.
- Website – if you know how to create a website, you can create your resume as an online web. In this way, you demonstrate your abilities and you can also easily present your portfolio on the page.
What to write in a CV?
How to write a resume to impress the HR department in a fashion company? You need to focus the information on the topic as much as possible. Every little thing that is even slightly related to fashion needs to be included in the resume. Mention all skills and experience, even those not entirely related to fashion. HR often sees potential in your experience that you don’t.
Previous job position
List all your previous positions. The period in which you performed the work. I recommend also writing in bullet points the main activities associated with the positions and the skills you have learned. Don’t just write the bare titles of your positions. For example:
- Back Office Manager (09/2020 – 04/2023)
Corporation Ltd., Sesame Street 123, Narnia 123 45
– meeting scheduling
– stationery orders
– team building planning
– MS Office (Word, Excel)
Skills
You can make a special section where you summarize your top skills. For example, my skill section looks like this:
- Driving license
– group B - Canva
– creating videos, vouchers, brochures and other graphic materials - Microsoft Office
– Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook - Event Production
– 5 successful trade shows in Czechia, Poland, Hungary and Romania - Organization skills
– various luxury vacations all over the world for VIP clients - Adobe Illustrator
– pattern making and illustration
Education and courses
Education
Here you need to write your education. It is good to mention what your main subjects were, what exam/degree you have. You can also mention your school or extracurricular activities.
Courses
This is an important section! Here you can get a lot of positive points that you need so much!
The courses are a great opportunity where you can express your interest in fashion and thus confirm your interest in the field and the job. Nowadays, there are a large number of online courses related to fashion. Invest in yourself and take a course that works for you. Preferably one where you get a certificate after graduation. For example, I completed courses at Domestika – “Patternmaking in Adobe Illustrator”, “Introduction to Adobe Illustrator for fashion design” and “Fashion Lookbook Design Croquis in Adobe Illustrator”. I will definitely do more in the future.
This way you can acquire a lot of new skills in a relatively short time. Then write them all in your CV.
Platforms with online courses:
Awards and achievements
Equally important – if you have won a competition or received a special award, put it in your CV.
3. Cover Letter
A cover letter is a great addition to a resume that can explain a lot and change the way you are viewed as an applicant. Therefore, you must approach its writing with the same responsibility as writing a resume. Here are some tips for a cover letter:
- If you are attaching a cover letter in a separate document, make it in the same style as your resume (colors, fonts) so that it is clear that they belong together.
- Mention your motivation for working in fashion. For example, write that in your free time you sew or sketch. For example:
“One of the reasons why I chose to apply for a job at fashion industry is that I definitely have a passion for fashion. As a hobby I make clothes myself. In my free time I design clothes, make patterns and sew it myself. It would be an honour for me to get a job in a fashion-related company.“
- Write that you are taking courses to complete your qualification. This is also motivation. For example:
“In order to get a job in the fashion industry, I am taking the XY course to improve my skills with PC graphics programs and apply this to a position as a Fashion Designer Assistant.“
- From your previous jobs, highlight the skills and knowledge that will be useful for a new position in the fashion industry or that could be applied in a new job. Explain how you could be useful for your new employer. For example:
“For the position of an “Assistant/Receptionist” at MaxMara, the experience from my current position of a “Back Office Manager” at XYZ Ltd. could be useful. Among other things, I take care of the stock and logistics, contracts, suppliers, customer service, maintanance of the office etc. Also my experience from the position of a “Store Manager” at cupcake store could be appreciated in this position. I was in charge of training staff, inventory, quality of the products, ordering goods, cash control, planning shifts. I also have an experience in providing excellent organizational skills from my position of an “Event Sales Executive” at Luxury Travel Show.“
I know that there is no universal guide on how to get a new job. All I can do is share advice that helped me get interviews at interesting companies and interesting positions. Despite the fact that my CV was not directly filled with relevant positions.
I managed to attract the Marc O’Polo brand, where I applied for the position of Deputy Store Manager. I also completed 3 rounds of the interview process at Louis Vuitton for the position of Client Advisor. And of course I also received countless negative responses. You too will receive some. But don’t despair and believe that sooner or later you will find your dream job. It won’t be right away. You may have to work your way up to a good position.
Constantly try and learn new things, take courses and educate yourself, write it down in your CV, which will fill up with relevant skills and eventually someone from the HR department will approach you and give you a chance.
I hope my advice is useful and you get your dream job. Good luck!