One of the common concerns of those who want to work in fashion is not knowing anyone, not having their own network of people working in the industry. Because you know, connections count a lot in fashion. A job offer does not have time to be published on a site that has already been assigned by word of mouth: a friend knows the brother of a friend who wants to work in that company and voila, the job is gone.
Having connections within the fashion industry is not only useful for getting a job but also when you have already entered the sector, in case you want to move from one company to another and to be always aware of new opportunities.
Making connections seems impossible at the beginning of your career in fashion, but today thanks to the web there is nothing easier. It’s enough to “google” the name of a fashion magazine/company and the job title to know who is that person, go on LinkedIn and add it to your connections or follow him on Instagram.
Think about how difficult it was networking without LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram. Your only chance to meet new people was in person. The Internet has given us a big hand in this and social networks even more especially for those introvert who find difficult to network in person. We just need to learn how to use them to our advantage.
Here’s how to create connections in the fashion industry at the beginning of your career:
Attend a fashion course
Attend a fashion course, even short ones for a few weeks or a month, to meet other students, teachers and people working in the fashion industry.
Attend Workshops and Events
Make a list of all the fashion workshops and events and go to all of them, they’re perfect for meeting new people. Take your business card with you and try to get out of every event with at least a couple of contacts. Here we explained how to network at a fashion event.
We are organizing our first fashion panel! It’s going to be a great occasion to learn how people got into the fashion industry, network and have lots of fun. Our first event is going to be in Milan, but we are planning more events all over the world. If you want to be the first to know, join our list
Learn how to use LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the social network born to grow professional relationships. Who is on LinkedIn knows that the people who are among his connections are interested in his job position and career (even if today there are still people who use LinkedIn as if it were another social network to chat or talk about their things, actually those who use LinkedIn correctly draws several advantages). Add all your classmates, former co-workers, look for people who work at your favorite companies and add them to your network. Send a personal message each time you add someone to your LinkedIn network, do not simply request connections to everyone. Specify the reason you would like to add the person to your network: you admire his work, would you like to ask him some questions about the company he works in or a course he attended? Do not be afraid to contact someone on LinkedIn because many people this way got an interview and a job.
Before reaching out to people, make sure your profile is set up correctly and updated with all your experiences and proper skills related to the job you want to get.
****Need to update your CV? Check out our CV templates or our CV review service if you want a fashion professional to review your CV+receve a FREE template ****
Subscribe to a community
Being part of a community means getting to know new people who share your same interest and get support. I have created the Glam Observer membership with the aim of building connections between members and professionals in the fashion industry and support each other. Facebook groups are a great way to make communities subscribe to those of your interest, introduce yourself and establish relationships. You never know who you could meet. We also have a private  FB group with our members.
Instagram has a great networking power
Find people who work in fashion and follow them on Instagram and send them a private message specifying that you admire them and ask a few questions if you are interested in getting a job similar to yours.
Pic ©2015 Jennifer Kathryn Photography
