When I started applying for internships and jobs, I didn’t have any background in fashion, but it never crossed my mind I could never have an interview because of that. I always think that if a company invites you to have one, it is because they saw something in you and, the interview is the occasion to prove them they didn’t make a mistake. Fashion is a vast industry with many roles in retail and digital meaning it requires a plethora of people with specific skills, hence why I believe anyone can have a career in that sector. If everything starts with a great CV and cover letter (check out our fashion companies-approved CV templates) , I think it is also important to talk about interviews. In four years of career and many interviews under my belt, I can tell you there is no formula to succeed because the people and company you are applying for are all different. Nonetheless, there are things you can do before, during and after an interview that can help you get your job in fashion. So I wanted to share with you some rules I go by and deem helpful each time I have an interview.
Read the job description
It can seem insignificant and you probably already did when you sent your CV, but read that job description again before your interview. Nowadays in fashion, people having the same job title in two distinct companies can have slightly or entirely different roles. For example, in company A a digital content editor might be in charge of everything related to copy whereas, in company B, the job can also include a visual component on top of the copy one. So, take time to read everything about the role to see if there are any woolly points. And always have a pen ready to highlight them. This process will help you assess what you need to ask about the role during the interview and make you realise the tasks you feel less familiar with. Depending on the department and the position you are applying for, some interviewer will test you on parts of the job you don’t know well, so it is always good to do this upstream work to have the right answer ready. Not only will it show you did your homework, but it will also reveal your will to learn and interest in the position.
Dress the part
Fashion is the industry of self-expression, and yet, I still see applicants abiding by a uniform. Unless a dress code is specified, I believe your clothing should reflect who you are. But avoid any peacocking. Instead, come dressed, professionally of course, but don’t forget to show your sense of fashion. Again, it might seem I am telling some trivia, but I think it is important to specify. If in a fashion office, employees spend time complimenting each other about the way they dress, often during leaving drinks a manager will make a speech about you recalling every detail of your interview outfit because your style made an impact. And you don’t need much to up the ante, your style can be classic, but your earrings, lipstick, blazer or shoes should be the accessories adding a little je-ne-sais-quoi to your outfit.
Learn how to tell your story
Though not every interview is the same, they often start with “tell me about yourself” or “can you make a recap of your CV?”. If the first question sounds personal and the second one looks weird because they already saw your CV, I believe they are the same. It is all about the way you will tell your story. In brief, it is your elevator pitch. No one is asking you about your mother, father and siblings but instead, they want to know details of your career a piece of paper cannot tell them. Â So this is your time to shine. It is not about being right or wrong, but it is about captivating your audience with your story. You need to become a storyteller. Add details you couldn’t add in your CV that you think add flesh to your CV and value to the role you are interviewing for. Find the right angle to tell your story and don’t forget to talk about your career always thinking about the position you are applying for. Lastly, if the elements should stay the same, your story should slightly change according to the company and the job you are trying to get.
The test
Depending on the role, a company can ask you to take a test or present them a presentation. And for this, there is no formula. They can ask you to do them before, during or after an interview. To be honest, in the whole application process, it is the part that stresses me out the most. An interview is to see who you are in person but a test/presentation quickly reveals if you are a fit or not for a position. They say applying for jobs is a job itself that is why I usually prefer doing tests during an interview because I don’t have to think about them anymore as soon as I am out. Nonetheless, the advantage of being able to complete one home is that you can do some research to develop your presentation. If you are a student or already work, it adds some pressure to have to complete them home as you have other things to attend to.
I have always worked on content, but I think sharing the type of tests I have been through could be of interest to anyone working in marketing. So here is the list of things I have been asked to do for some companies.
Getting interviewed is a tedious process, so I hope this article will give you some keys to succeed in getting your job in fashion! If you have any question, please, don’t hesitate to comment below!
This post was originally posted on Dec 20th 2017
