All About Internships and Work Experience Placements
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Cicciolina
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Congratulations shirleebee!! That sounds like a great interview and a really good fit as well! Almost makes me want to up and leave and work for Zac Posen himself 
So will you be working at fashion week? 
So will you be working at fashion week? dazed&confused
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What exactly does that mean?! I'm familiar with excel but I wonder what makes one's skills 'superior'? What would they make you work with excel? (databases, etc..?)I also need to strengthen my Excel skills from "solid" to "superior".
shirleebee
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Congratulations shirleebee!! That sounds like a great interview and a really good fit as well! Almost makes me want to up and leave and work for Zac Posen himself
If I get it, I'll definitely be working during Fashion Week.
shirleebee
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I've used it for basic chart & graph making at another job, and I've used it when my high school was pushing all the math classes to make use of our expensive new computers, but it's certainly not a program I've fussed over. Out of all the usual Microsoft software & other notable applications like Photoshop, PSP, etc., Excel has always been low on the priority list for me. I think I better freshen up my skills in case I have to prove my comfort with the program early on. Luckily, yesterday my interviewer didn't tell me Excel profiency was required, but that if I was "good at Math", it would be a big help (luckily, and grudgingly, I am). She also said they would train me for awhile, so that makes me a bit less nervous.
But yeah, Excel seems to be an important skill to master before entering today's marketplace.
DriversHigh
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for some reason many of the job requirements I've seen (at least in the fashion industry) require you to have some knowledge or be extremely knowledgeable in both excel and photoshop. This usually goes for something like 9 out of 10 jobs and I never knew why.
Cicciolina
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alix* I'd be interested in finding out too 
Are you being offered a Chanel internship (in HK?)?
An article about fashion interning. It's not really well written, but it has some interesting information in here.
http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=18648&comview=1
Are you in, or are you knocking?
Patrice Worthy
Fashion is a tricky industry to break into. It is considered to be one of the most difficult industries to break into along with music and acting. The fashion industry is full of hungry young people with experience and dedication who work hard. There are also people trying to get into the fashion industry with little to no knowledge of fashion, but they are easy to surpass. Success in any field depends on drive with tact.
If you are a writer there are many ways to break into the fashion industry. One of the most common routes is to do a three-month internship with either a designer or a fashion magazine. Though interns are low on the totem pole, it looks great on a résumé. Unfortunately, internships often aren't what students expect. Meenal Mistry, fashion editor of Women's Wear Daily, said students expect to come out of fashion internships with a heightened knowledge of the field.
"A three-month internship does not guarantee you anything, not even another internship," she said. "It's surprising how many students come in with this idea and it couldn't be further from the truth."
Many writers do their own transcribing. Of course, there is more to being an intern than sitting at the computer playing solitaire.
"The work involves some photocopying and phone work," Mistry said, "but it's mostly packing and
unpacking clothes, returning them to showrooms and occasionally going on photo shoots to assist the stylist."
A good intern doesn't just pour coffee, but it is common knowledge in the fashion industry that interns aren't the busiest people in the world.
If you want to become a fashion writer, you should write. Writers should never be afraid to showcase their talents in a positive way. A writing portfolio is invaluable at job interviews. Class assignments on yoga shops and letters to the editor have no leverage. Obnoxious criticism of fashion writing and design did not work for Joan Rivers, who tragically fell victim to her own self-hate by deforming herself with plastic surgery.
If you have never written for the IDS, I encourage you to do so. Before you do, make sure you know the difference between a fashion article and a fashion column. Fashion articles need research and fashion columns are opinion. I have found that paying attention in your trends and concept classes and reading something other than fashion magazines helps. Fashion is a vast subject. I found that paying attention to my professors and reading up on my fashion history helps with both critiquing and writing about fashion.
Networking is a powerful tool in the fashion industry. It is how Coco Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Zac Posen established themselves. It is key in an industry built on connections. Networking helped me get a job working for one of the top agencies when I was a freshman in college and allowed my designs to be picked for a major fashion show. You have to learn how to talk to people without sounding desperate for a job. Networking also involves learning how to get into fashion events like fashion week and getting a seat at the most exclusive shows.
Most of all, you have to have respect for the people who are already doing what you want to do. Mistry advises interns to offer their opinions in an appropriate way.
"While interns' opinions are valued, they tend to offer them at the wrong times," Mistry said.
I have learned that you have to know when and how to tell people what you think. Interviewing designers and the top fashion editors requires the talent of listening. It isn't learned by sitting in the peanut gallery, reading everyone else's work. You can love fashion and even bet your life on it, but the real secret is maximizing every opportunity to your advantage.
Of course, your resume is essential in landing the job of your dreams. Normally, the rule is not to gloat, but you can highlight your best accomplishments. Fran Healey, Operations Manager at Black Label and Women's Collection at Ralph Lauren, lives by this rule. She said you have to add fuel to the fire.
Don't be shy about your achievements. If you have worked side-by-side with Ralph Lauren and helped him decide what was going on his runway, worked with Michael Kors, had your writing praised in Women's Wear Daily, wrote the first fashion article for the number one collegiate newspaper in the country, have studied fashion for years in two different cities and currently have your own fashion column you should express that on your résumé.
Boasting does not get people very far socially. If you are more than qualified for the job, your employers will acknowledge that. If you are not, they won't. Most importantly, success in any field takes tenacity. You will get rejected, and most writers don't get a job on their first interview. Advancement depends on who is still standing when the competition proves wanton.
Are you being offered a Chanel internship (in HK?)?An article about fashion interning. It's not really well written, but it has some interesting information in here.
http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=18648&comview=1
Are you in, or are you knocking?
Patrice Worthy
Fashion is a tricky industry to break into. It is considered to be one of the most difficult industries to break into along with music and acting. The fashion industry is full of hungry young people with experience and dedication who work hard. There are also people trying to get into the fashion industry with little to no knowledge of fashion, but they are easy to surpass. Success in any field depends on drive with tact.
If you are a writer there are many ways to break into the fashion industry. One of the most common routes is to do a three-month internship with either a designer or a fashion magazine. Though interns are low on the totem pole, it looks great on a résumé. Unfortunately, internships often aren't what students expect. Meenal Mistry, fashion editor of Women's Wear Daily, said students expect to come out of fashion internships with a heightened knowledge of the field.
"A three-month internship does not guarantee you anything, not even another internship," she said. "It's surprising how many students come in with this idea and it couldn't be further from the truth."
Many writers do their own transcribing. Of course, there is more to being an intern than sitting at the computer playing solitaire.
"The work involves some photocopying and phone work," Mistry said, "but it's mostly packing and
unpacking clothes, returning them to showrooms and occasionally going on photo shoots to assist the stylist."
A good intern doesn't just pour coffee, but it is common knowledge in the fashion industry that interns aren't the busiest people in the world.
If you want to become a fashion writer, you should write. Writers should never be afraid to showcase their talents in a positive way. A writing portfolio is invaluable at job interviews. Class assignments on yoga shops and letters to the editor have no leverage. Obnoxious criticism of fashion writing and design did not work for Joan Rivers, who tragically fell victim to her own self-hate by deforming herself with plastic surgery.
If you have never written for the IDS, I encourage you to do so. Before you do, make sure you know the difference between a fashion article and a fashion column. Fashion articles need research and fashion columns are opinion. I have found that paying attention in your trends and concept classes and reading something other than fashion magazines helps. Fashion is a vast subject. I found that paying attention to my professors and reading up on my fashion history helps with both critiquing and writing about fashion.
Networking is a powerful tool in the fashion industry. It is how Coco Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Zac Posen established themselves. It is key in an industry built on connections. Networking helped me get a job working for one of the top agencies when I was a freshman in college and allowed my designs to be picked for a major fashion show. You have to learn how to talk to people without sounding desperate for a job. Networking also involves learning how to get into fashion events like fashion week and getting a seat at the most exclusive shows.
Most of all, you have to have respect for the people who are already doing what you want to do. Mistry advises interns to offer their opinions in an appropriate way.
"While interns' opinions are valued, they tend to offer them at the wrong times," Mistry said.
I have learned that you have to know when and how to tell people what you think. Interviewing designers and the top fashion editors requires the talent of listening. It isn't learned by sitting in the peanut gallery, reading everyone else's work. You can love fashion and even bet your life on it, but the real secret is maximizing every opportunity to your advantage.
Of course, your resume is essential in landing the job of your dreams. Normally, the rule is not to gloat, but you can highlight your best accomplishments. Fran Healey, Operations Manager at Black Label and Women's Collection at Ralph Lauren, lives by this rule. She said you have to add fuel to the fire.
Don't be shy about your achievements. If you have worked side-by-side with Ralph Lauren and helped him decide what was going on his runway, worked with Michael Kors, had your writing praised in Women's Wear Daily, wrote the first fashion article for the number one collegiate newspaper in the country, have studied fashion for years in two different cities and currently have your own fashion column you should express that on your résumé.
Boasting does not get people very far socially. If you are more than qualified for the job, your employers will acknowledge that. If you are not, they won't. Most importantly, success in any field takes tenacity. You will get rejected, and most writers don't get a job on their first interview. Advancement depends on who is still standing when the competition proves wanton.
lunitweety
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A girl in my class is interning at Chanel and hates it! She says the people are sooo snobby there and pretty much treat her like crap...like and intern!
There are other good companies that actually treat their interns with respect and I'm glad to be working for one.
kissmesweet
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If I want to find internships locally in Hong Kong, where can I go? Online? Has anyone tried if Summer Internships is good? 
I need to find something for 'work experience week' next year for IB? 
I need to find something for 'work experience week' next year for IB?
D
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^ I'm aiming for Hong Kong too. Very hard for a foreigner and I'm having a tough time. I don't want to work in London, I prefer Hong Kong.
Can anyone tell me what are the most common questions an interviewee asks so that I can prepare myself for phone interviews?
Can anyone tell me what are the most common questions an interviewee asks so that I can prepare myself for phone interviews?
Cicciolina
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kissmesweet, not sure about HK as I'm not currently familiar with their internship protocols, but you can maybe look online at company websites and find an HR contact, or see if you know anyone who works there. Are you looking for something specifically in IB/finance? As many of them have internship programs on their website, like Goldman, Citigroup, Mac Bank, etc
Common questions are like "tell us about yourself", "how does your experience relate to this internship", "what can you bring to this internship", "what are your best qualities", etc. Questions like that. It's like any other job interview. Use your common sense
Common questions are like "tell us about yourself", "how does your experience relate to this internship", "what can you bring to this internship", "what are your best qualities", etc. Questions like that. It's like any other job interview. Use your common sense
kissmesweet
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Actually the IB is the International Baccalaureate program and nothing to do with finance. Just one of the requirements is to do work experience. I'm actually aiming for fashion internships. 
Thank you for the help though, Cicciolina.
I'm actually aiming for fashion internships. Thank you for the help though, Cicciolina.
D
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If I want to find internships locally in Hong Kong, where can I go? Online? Has anyone tried if Summer Internships is good?
You need to call the french and italian companies up and ask. On google, search for the fashion brand with which either french or italian commerce in Hong Kong and the contacts will show.
The French Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (Chanel is in there
http://www.fccihk.com/
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (Prada is in there
http://www.icc.org.hk/home.php
Cicciolina
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Actually the IB is the International Baccalaureate program and nothing to do with finance. Just one of the requirements is to do work experience.
Thank you for the help though, Cicciolina.
Oh right I thought you were using the shorthand form of Investment Banking (finance students call it IB... clearly this is the finance part of me seeping in).
Hi there guys!
I'm applying for this job with Vogue and I have my resume down-packed and perfect. Now I'm up to the cover letter and I'm not sure what to write?? I know one must sell one self but I don't know what's 'too much and cocky' and what's too little..
So does anyone have good examples on some specifically fashion-related cover letters? I have managed to grab heaps of non-fashion ones to have a look at
Thanks a bunch x
I'm applying for this job with Vogue and I have my resume down-packed and perfect. Now I'm up to the cover letter and I'm not sure what to write?? I know one must sell one self but I don't know what's 'too much and cocky' and what's too little..
So does anyone have good examples on some specifically fashion-related cover letters? I have managed to grab heaps of non-fashion ones to have a look at
Thanks a bunch x
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