The competition in the fashion industry affects applications. The main reason why it is hard to get a job in fashion is that hundreds apply for the same position. Having created a perfect, creative and original resume is already a big step towards a successful application, however, there are also other tricks and strategies you can apply to increase the chances of getting a job in fashion.
You know that my goal with Glam Observer is to help you get the job of your dreams in fashion. In the members’ exclusive archive, you will find many career advice articles on the CV, internships, you can download the ebook on how to nail a job interview
With this article, I want to give you another tip regarding the strategic days and timing to apply for a job in fashion. Because yes, there is a day and a time when it is better to apply, an ideal day to search for jobs and the day to work on your application.
Respecting these times and days increases the chances of success of the application.
Let’s begin with what you should not do: act impulsively.
I know that if you spot an extraordinary job offer you want to apply immediately, but stop a moment before doing it. The application must be perfect if you want to win, which means that you cannot take your CV as it is and upload it where you found the job offer. Not to mention the cover letter that must be absolutely customized for the job offer. This does not mean that you have to wait too long, because a job, especially if it has been open for two weeks already, could close soon.
Here are the ideal days and timing for the fashion job application
Friday → on Fridays, check all the job offers of the past week.
As a GO member, every Friday you have access to the best job offers published during the week in Milan, London, New York, Paris … so take a look at these job offers and if you want, check on other sites like FashionJobs, FashionWorkie, Indeed, Monster, LinkedIn and the company websites. Open an Excel file or Word document and paste all the links of the job offers to which you want to apply. For each job offer, read carefully the job description and the required skills. Pay attention to skills such as “excellent written and verbal communication skills” program such as excel, photoshop and to the activities listed in the job description that might be in common with your previous experience. Mark all these details down because you’ll need to add them in your CV.
Saturday → prepare your resume and your cover letter.
I recommend creating a CV and a cover letter for every job you are applying for. Don’t use the same cover letter and tweak your CV a little for each job offer. Read the job description and put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes and make sure that your CV matches the job offer description.
Sunday → double-check your CV and your cover letter.
It is important to check these documents the following day because a fresh mind can spot any errors that would be imperceptible the same day you write them. There is nothing worse than applying with a CV that contains grammar mistakes or typos. Companies see these errors as a sign of inattention and carelessness and you’re out of the games. Pay attention to the format and keep it consistent: make sure the texts are all in the same font and size and repeat the same for all your experiences.
If you apply online by filling out the form, do a simulation to see all the documents required and make sure you have everything ready to apply on Monday morning (see explanation below). If you apply via e-mail instead, and so you are emailing someone who works in the company, prepare your e-mail on Sunday, include the attachments (CV, Cover Letter, Portfolio all in PDF format) and save it as
Monday morning at 8 am is the perfect time to apply online via the website form.
Tuesday 8 am is the perfect time to send your application email.
(Make sure you consider the timezone of the company if it’s different from yours.)
When you are applying online through the company website or LinkedIn, whose procedure involves uploading your CV and other documents such as the cover letter and the portfolio, it is almost certain that a recruiter will take care of your application first. If you apply on a Monday morning, your application will be their first task of the day.
When you are doing a spontaneous application, or you’re cold-emailing the editor, stylist or buyer it is better to do it on Tuesday morning. On Monday, all the people who work in fashion prefer to take care first of all the emails of the weekend and all the Monday priorities. If you send an email on Monday, you might risk that your application will be at the bottom of their do to list. On Tuesday instead, your email will be the first thing they will see and check that morning which increases your chances of getting an interview.
If you have applied via email and have not received a response after a week, follow up.
If you have applied online, remember first that it can take months for a company to call you. Many times companies open positions months in advance so they are in no hurry to manage applications within a week or so. In any case, a week later, find the email of the recruiter or of your future boss: if in the job offer there is written that you will support the Fashion Director then look on Google or LinkedIn who is the fashion director and find their email. With this email it will be like you’re applying for the first time: in the body of the email write your cover letter and mention that you had already applied online through LinkedIn or the website, but that you’re re-attaching your CV for the consideration. In this way you will not only strengthen your interest in wanting to work there, but increase the chances of being noticed further because you have gone beyond the simple online application. After sending this mail, wait 7 days to follow up.
For both solutions, follow up twice maximum.
Always pay attention to the details of the job offer. In some jobs, it is also added the closing application date, so if you realize Wednesday that it closes the following day, you can not wait on Monday or Tuesday to apply. The timing and days indicated above are valid for 98% of job offers and if you start to be consistent every week to check the job offers on Friday and apply on the following days, you will not miss any job offer and above all, you will not arrive at the last day of application.
