All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[Cicciolina]

knightley after I sent her my resume and had no reply (she replied to me within a day) I followed up a week later. And still nothing! I'm thinking I might call this week. It isn't for a fashion house btw, but an overseas publication.

TheElitist I can't think of anything you should bring other than copies of your resume, clips if you're doing editorial, and with clothes - I think there's another thread on it, but something smart, fashionable and still professional.

 

[knightley]

You could definitely do a follow-up call, it'll put them on the spot. With publications, I'm not too good on because my internships have been in booking and in pr, but I'd imagine they're the same. Another email would be overkill, but a phone call would definitely get them to say one way or the other.

Clothing-wise, it's going to be dependent on the fashion mag. If they're more alterna fashion play up your own funky taste, but if it's something more traditional you can never go wrong with a black skirt, crisp white shirt, and heels - designer or not. It's about looking put together, simple, classic, and elegant.

 

[Cicciolina]

Ok I think that's set then, calling them tomorrow (or at least this week). I'm planning to do other calls for internship inquiries too.

I think TheElitist is male, so no heels

 

[knightley]

OH GOOD ON ME TO CHECK GENDERS THEN!

Clothing for a male then would be nice pants, shirt, tie. You can forgo the blazer or sweater because it's almost too formal.

 

[MJCouture]

In general, when should I start applying for a summer internship? I don't want to apply too early for fear that they'll throw my resume in a pile and forget about me, but I also obviously don't want to get shut out. Any advice is appreciated!

OH, also, would it be wrong to just send a copy of my resume to every editor at a particular magazine I was interested in interning at? I mean, at conde naste for instance it is pretty easy to get anyone's e-mail, so would be it be a little pushy to do so? Thanks!

 

[diorable]

MJCouture: I applied for my summer internship in November, interviewed in December, and got the email accepting me as the intern 5 minutes after my interview, so you should definitely start now :]!

 

[shirleebee]

I'm calling Posen tomorrow or Tuesday to follow-up. In an email, she confirmed they wanted me, but weren't sure when the best time to start me would be (originally, it was supposed to be for fashion week, but I guess that was too chaotic). I don't know if their offices will still be recovering from the strain of fashion week early this week; if they are, I don't want to bother them, but at the same time, I need clarification and more information on what to do next, haha.

 

[Cicciolina]

shirleebee will you be doing this on top of school or will it be for credit? Haha so many of us need to do follow up phone calls! Ok here's a question we can pose to everyone (hopefully in time so I can come back to this thread before I need to call) - what do you say in a follow up call without sounding too needy-desperate-pushy-annoying?

MJCouture I'd say now.... I know of so many places who have started hiring or people who have already been secured for the summer.

 

[knightley]

I sent my CV off last week (it'll be a week on the 12th and she was enthusiastic with responses up until I sent my CV) and I don't plan on doing my follow up until after their show in Milan. Probably on the Monday of Paris. As for what I'll say. I'll probably make it very quick as I'm calling London from America (!) and simply say something along the lines of:

"Hello (name)! This is (my name) and I wanted to thank you again for taking time to look at my CV. I wanted to phone to see if you had any questions for me that couldn't be expressed in messaging." It opens up the forum for her to ask questions, to see I'm enthusiastic and interested without being pushy. If she says no? I plan on graciously saying thank you again, have a great afternoon! If she says yes? I'll secure my interview.

Hope that helps Cicci!

 

[Cicciolina]

Karma to you!

After that I have to call up some people who I was given the contacts of by someone else (no emails unfortunately). I usually inquire for internships by emails so this is new to me. Then I have to write up some letters and send them into companies (in Hong Kong, so postage will be like, a week?) And so the internship hunt commences for me once again!

 

[shirleebee]

shirleebee will you be doing this on top of school or will it be for credit? Haha so many of us need to do follow up phone calls! Ok here's a question we can pose to everyone (hopefully in time so I can come back to this thread before I need to call) - what do you say in a follow up call without sounding too needy-desperate-pushy-annoying?

MJCouture I'd say now.... I know of so many places who have started hiring or people who have already been secured for the summer.

It's for credit, but it would be a 9-5 internship (full time job hours), so the fact that I am taking this semester off comes in handy. Everyone has seemed to appreciate that flexibility. I'm concerned now though that everyone leaves Posen feeling like they got the job due the great interaction with the interviewer. ARGH. But why would she want my writing, references, and email follow-ups if she didn't intend to hire me? Okay, I'm probably just psyching myself out at this point. Up until now, I've been 99% sure that the position was mine (and she said they wanted me but would get back to me, as I said), but now I feel like they've backed out or forgotten me or something. It's probably just the chaos of Fashion Week. I'm the last thing on their minds right now. Which is perfectly understandable.

 

[kissmesweet]

Karma to you!

After that I have to call up some people who I was given the contacts of by someone else (no emails unfortunately). I usually inquire for internships by emails so this is new to me. Then I have to write up some letters and send them into companies (in Hong Kong, so postage will be like, a week?) And so the internship hunt commences for me once again!

Wow, good luck Cicciolina. Postage from US(?) is usually about a week. Can I ask which companies you are looking into?

 

[DriversHigh]

Flakiness is honestly one of the drawbacks to working in the fashion industry that I guess people have to learn to deal with or somehow learn to work around. I honestly absolutely hate it when applying anywhere and am lead to believe that I got the position when I in fact did not. Just tell me the truth and save me the grief!

I wouldn't say that all hope is lost though shirleebee your theory about fashion week is very very possible. It takes designers at least a few weeks after those hectic months to reach some sort of normalcy.

 

[Deleted member 49693]

I'm so fed up with companies in Hong Kong promising that they will get back to me and haven't!!!!

I'm going to Hong Kong in a few weeks time which will be alot easier for me as I'm going to be brave and make an appointment, but I'm VERY nervous!!!

 

[TheElitist]

OH GOOD ON ME TO CHECK GENDERS THEN!

Clothing for a male then would be nice pants, shirt, tie. You can forgo the blazer or sweater because it's almost too formal.

oh thank you thank you! but it was hardly as formal as i thought. i just went with a Martin Margiela-esque blazer over simple white tee and dark jeans.

 

[Cicciolina]

kissmesweet Right now for Hong Kong I'm cold-calling (well not calling, but writing to them) as I got no response through emailing their general HR emails. I'll be in Hong Kong in a week and a half's time so I will follow up when I get there to see if they want to interview me face to face. Though they might not want to see me still because I'm not some Hong Kong socialite

Unfortunately I have only been given contacts to companies in NYC Shirleebee I think you're right about fashion week - after the show they would be showing it to buyers as well so they're still busy.

 

[knightley]

oh thank you thank you! but it was hardly as formal as i thought. i just went with a Martin Margiela-esque blazer over simple white tee and dark jeans.

I always err on the side of too formal. It's awful! But it depends on where I am interviewing. For example, with J. Lindeberg I'd wear jeans, a slouchy arm blazer, and my Lanvin bow tank - MAN I just want an excuse to wear that, and then for a position with Pringle of Scotland I'd wear a skirt, heels - both in classic black with a demure sweater or crisp button down. It just really 100% depends on where you interview. But I think the general rule of thumb is dress one iota more formal than the style of the place you're applying.

 

[Cicciolina]

It's definitely better to be overdressed than to be underdressed - it shows respect for one. I don't usually wear jeans either unless they specify that jeans is part of the dress code - and even then they're dark denim and plain. But it all depends where you're applying.

 

[Cicciolina]

Also now I have some more questions to ask:

- How does one go about calling up someone to inquire about internships? I'm used to doing this by email so I'm not sure how I can do it by phone in a polite and non-obtrusive way
- When you leave an internship - are we meant to give them a 'thank you' gift? I've seen fellow interns give them candy, or just a thank you card. Other interns have told me they don't think we should give them gifts because we are after all working for free. Thoughts?

 

[clarex]

Also now I have some more questions to ask:

- When you leave an internship - are we meant to give them a 'thank you' gift? I've seen fellow interns give them candy, or just a thank you card. Other interns have told me they don't think we should give them gifts because we are after all working for free. Thoughts?

I think perhaps if you've really enjoyed the internship, learnt a lot and would like, in the future, to work for the company it would be a lovely thought to send something to the office after you've left, just so they're reminded of you again. Of course they should already know how thankful you are, because you'll have thanked them alot already and been extremely enthusiastic about everything!