Becoming a Buyer?

[kXtreme]

i heard its about 30,000 up to 40,000 if its a real big company, assistants do a lot of clerical work, not much fun till you become a executive assistant or a official buyer. plus in terms of experience,lot of places put you in a training program anyway. just get good grades in school to be considered.

 

[kellyt]

^Well, I already have my degree...so my grades are what they are. They are not bad at all though. Not something that would be looked at with negativity upon being considered for a position. But I really doubt grades would be of a lot of importance at this point...I am thinking the experience I have and references would be more important.

 

[JJohnson]

yea but the questions you ask over and over again does mean lack of knowledge. you want to be a buyer yet youre going for a marketing degree? also you say youre going to be a buyer soon? you didnt even start college. it takes a long to become a official buyer even after you get a degree. lastly you wanted to know if you cna be a buyer without a college degree... nuff said.

w/e thx for being mean...is all this extra energy to prove people dumb necessary? First of all you dont know me so u cannot conclude that.....i appreciate that ur trying to help but you wouldnt like it if i said u lacked knowledge, therefore its not nice to say to others

 

[Amyamyxxx]

I have a job interview for a buyers admin assistant whitin jewellery dept of a fashion website next week- when i spoke to the lady she said that i will be asked questions about the compony, why I want to work for them, trends, the role of a buyers admin assistant etc.
Does anyone have any advice as im quite nervous! My first ever interview EVER!

 

[Lena]

search the company online and try to learn as much as you can about them and their 'client'..
also have a quick look at our trendspotting forum, brwse through our pinned topics to get an idea of what will be hot for this and the next season and be brave

good luck

 

[Amyamyxxx]

Be brave! I like that thank you

 

[JJohnson]

yay that sounds fun!

 

[RunwayModel]

i decided i want to become a buyer. im currently about to end my first year at UC Santa Cruz and my proposed major is business management economics (BME). i dislike the econ part of this major - its barely has any business, its mostly econ. im thinking about going to FIDM or Academy of Art in San Francisco in 2 years (i will be a third year by the time i transfer schools) and i was wondering if i should stick with my BME here at uc santa cruz or go to a fashion school and major in Fashion Merchandising? which would help me get a better job or internships, i guess is what im trying to ask. and also would a basic degree in business management with a minor in advertising/marketing be a good choice from San Francisco State? im debating over if i should transfer schools and study something i enjoy more or stick with something i hate at a UC (my parents will be upset if i leave a UC to go to a state or art university i think) but i know its about what i want to do.... its so hard! any feedback would be greatly appreciated, thank you

 

[stylewhore]

how can i get work as an assistant to a buyer in NYC? thanks

 

[JJohnson]

wow everyone wants to be a buyer.....i heard from my boss (a buyer) was that every1 thinks its about shopping etc.....its soooooo many numbers and starring at an excel worksheet a day and worrying more so about what is already in the stores and how to predict what is going to happen with that inventory than just going to shows....

 

[SweetHeart07]

Hey...

I have an interview with Neiman Marcus for their ETP next week! I'm super excited. But I don't know what to wear... Any suggestions on how to "dress to impress"?

Thanks y'all!
~*~ Megan ~*~

 

[SweetHeart07]

ETP Buyer program... forgot to add that! lol

 

[Jacque Marcel]

ETP Buyer program... forgot to add that! lol

How did you get the interview? Did Neimans recruit at your school? What was the process? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[JJohnson]

ETP Buyer program... forgot to add that! lol

yay great! best wishes!

 

[mkfan]

Speaking of the Neiman Marcus Training Program, I read on the website that it takes place in Dallas and you are then placed in a position at their Dallas stores. It says you work as an assistant merchandiser for two years but do those two years have to be in Dallas? I wouldn't mind going to Dallas for the training but I don't think I'd actually want to spend two whole years there (or more). I'd really prefer to be in NY. Does anyone know about this? Thanks!

 

[mkfan]

Also, one more question related to that (^). How far in advance do you apply? And for jobs in general, if I am graduating in June 2007 and want to start working the following fall, when would I start to apply for positions?

 

[style_savy]

Just curious. What is a rough estimate of how much an assitant buyer makes a year Lena?

 

[couturecate]

Just curious. What is a rough estimate of how much an assitant buyer makes a year Lena?

Eight years ago, at a regional high-end dept/specialty chain called Jacobson's in the midwest, it was $24,500. Yes, that was considered pretty bad but they knew so many people wanted 'in' so they could get away with it.

It's my understanding this was not unusual, assistant buyer positions kind weed out 'who really wants it' in terms of buying positions. The buyers notoriously treat their assistants pretty badly, mostly because of tradition--that's what they had to put up with to get where they are, etc. I knew many assistants who were humiliated, embarassed and over-worked for no reason other than their buyers simply felt like inflicting it.

 

[style_savy]

everything is always about connection BUT...my friends got into w/o that. they just applied to all the stores and got it the old fashion way.

slightly off-topic but i think everyone interested in buying, merchandising, etc should read "why we buy" by paco underhill

I just ordered that book online. Hope it will be an interesting read. Had some great reviews so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I love reading about human nature and behaviors. I already know quite a few things about manipulating shoppers since I worked in retail but I'm sure this book will help me with my own shopping addictions. And thank-you couturecate for your reply.

 

[CHADiLer]

Eight years ago, at a regional high-end dept/specialty chain called Jacobson's in the midwest, it was $24,500. Yes, that was considered pretty bad but they knew so many people wanted 'in' so they could get away with it.

It's my understanding this was not unusual, assistant buyer positions kind weed out 'who really wants it' in terms of buying positions. The buyers notoriously treat their assistants pretty badly, mostly because of tradition--that's what they had to put up with to get where they are, etc. I knew many assistants who were humiliated, embarassed and over-worked for no reason other than their buyers simply felt like inflicting it.

what about buyers? i've read online that they can make up to 100,000/year. is that pretty rare? or normal if you're a buyer for a big company?