Competition for newcomers to the fashion industry is fiercer than ever, and recent graduates often find to their dismay that they are still expected to intern when what they really need is a job. Preparing students to make the most of their internship opportunities was the focus of a Kent State University event where Carla Carstens, founder of FreeFashionInternships.com addressed a group of junior designers and merchants who was completing his semester of studies in the New York Study of the same university. Carstens has 13 years of experience in the fashion industry and has worked for brands such as Chopard, Jennifer Fisher, and Gucci. bacobolts.yictic
Focus
Not all practices are good and being clear about it is
essential to project yourself towards the job or company of your dreams, as
well as a way to establish goals and achievements. Never be afraid to
contact specific designers. We live in a connected world and never before
have we had so much access to people. "Research their
trajectory," says Carstens. Decide what your learning goals are and
create a focused search, otherwise tailoring the resume to each position will
be a huge waste of time. Don't discount smaller brands and companies, as
they can offer a more hands-on learning opportunity.
Network of contacts
Once inside a company, you will meet people who will
accompany you in your future work. They are the guardians of your career,
and later on when you apply for your dream position, it is hugely beneficial to
be able to turn to your internship supervisor to write an email on your
behalf. In this way, you will be basically recommended and ahead of the
others. Get on LinkedIn early in your training and connect with your
classmates, since you never know where they will be five years from now, and
connect with your graduating year recruiters.
Resume
Avoid showing creativity in resumes with extravagant
designs and fonts. Use professional and legible fonts, such as Times New
Roman and Cambria. Many big brands use a candidate tracking system (ATS)
that can't read pretty templates, and even InDesign can be tricky, so a pdf is
the safest option. The resume should never have more than one
page. Attachments are best added to your LinkedIn profile, not your
resume. Don't downplay the skills and interests section, as these
qualities can set you apart from another candidate, and don't forget to list
all the programs you know about.
The mission statement and resume summary are
non-negotiable, so consider which one is best for you. The objective
describes what your goals are in the company you are applying to. The
summary is a brief recap of your skills and experiences that highlight your
value to an employer. Cover letters, while arduous to do, are important
and people often open the resume and, if they are interested, read the cover
letter to confirm their choice. Include the name of the job description
and apply the keywords that the company uses in the job
description. Remember to change the name of the resume file to a
professional one, as it is visible when you open it. Consider putting your
first and last name to make it easier for the employer.
Interview
Accept a job offer as soon as you see it, since companies
usually gather the first 15 or 20 candidates that interest them and make their
selection from there. Confirm the appointment and place the day before,
research the company and even the person you are meeting with. Bring two
copies of the resume. Print a list of interview questions to go prepared,
this can also help you overcome your nerves: What is a typical work day
like? What qualities do you look for in an intern? How will my work
be evaluated? How did you start in the sector? This last question
allows you to connect with the interviewer, which can remind him of you.
For interviews via Skype or Google Hangouts, please add
your company information in advance. Telephone interviews allow you to
connect less with the interviewer, which actually creates more
uncertainty. An in-person interview allows you to judge your surroundings
and gives you more power, as you can pick up on the signals and body language,
and you can dig into the points you made earlier. Treat telephone
interviews as if they were in-person interviews, as employers try to eliminate
people. Stand up or walk if necessary.
Send a thank you email the same day. If you think
you have not sufficiently completed a question, this is another opportunity to
do so. Follow up once, and then let it go. If you are unsuccessful,
try asking for feedback information.
Job
If your job is to iron your clothes with the steam iron,
do it like you've never done it before. When you have mastered the tasks
that are entrusted to you, suggest others if you see an area in which you can
be useful. Don't say "I want to do more", but look at the
inefficiencies and propose solutions. Look at what the assistants do,
because those are the tasks that you can do.
Regarding paid versus unpaid internships, the trend is
that the largest companies, fearful of being sued, are the ones that pay,
usually the minimum wage. But there is much more competition to
enter. However, the bigger the brand, the more boring tasks are generally.
Try to do internships in different places to expand your
network of contacts. If you stick around long enough, you may land the
coveted assistant position when one opens, but it doesn't always work that
way. Half of the practice is about keeping in touch. Send a note to
supervisors during the holidays. Invite your old boss over for coffee when
you graduate.