Fashion Jobs- Interview Tips

[FashionFix]

Well, I am more than thrilled to have an interview at all much less with Hugo Boss!!! There is actually a distribution office (of a sort) near where I live and there are a lot of the more office type jobs--which is perfect for me.
Anyway, any tips or advice--what would be some options of what to wear. It will actually be a phone interview first. (It has been awhile since I have interviewed --and I really, really, really want to work closer in to the field of fashion)

 

[mishahoi]

wow! i have never been through a high-profile interview like that so i can't offer any advice, but i can offer my best wishes, and good luck!

 

[FashionFix]

wow! i have never been through a high-profile interview like that so i can't offer any advice, but i can offer my best wishes, and good luck!

Thanks mishahoi!

 

[BetteT]

For any job interview, you need to wear professional looking clothing suited to the work environment you are going into. for Hugo Boss, I'd say make sure it is stylish but not trendy or sexy and not too girly.

If you are applying for an office job, wear something fairly simple that flatters your body ... perhaps a nice skirt with flats or kitten heels. I would lean toward the conservative ... no plunging necklines, no super short skirts and keep accessories to a minimum. Be careful not to be sexy or too trendy ... they will think you are more into your clothes and social life than the job. And if you are too casual and they think that you won't take the job serieously, so no jeans and tanks tops.

Good idea ... don't take a regular purse in with you ... instead have a nice looking folder/notebook/portfolio which can hold your money, ID and keys and also paper and a pen. This will allow you to take notes if something comes up that you need to check on later, allow you to access what you need efficiently and will free your other hand (your right one) to shake hands with the interviewer when you arrive and leave. It will leave the impression that you are all about business.

Send a note to the interviewer afterwards, thanking him for his time and expressing your continued interest in working for him. Always a nice, professional touch. And it will make you stand out among all the other people he's interviewed.

Good luck!

 

[Wixxxle]

wow! congrats, this sounds like a really wonderful opportunity for you!
And now for the advice I work for the New York State Department of
Labor so I happen to have a few tidbits of knowledge when it comes to
interviewing. First off, I won't lie, phone interviewing is tricky
because of the lack of interaction (ie: facial expressions) between you
and the interviewer. Keep in mind that what you are saying is probably
being written down by someone taking notes so watch the speed at which you talk. They can't see you, so your voice is the only thing they have to go on don't take the easy way out and interview in your pj's, shower and dress, both of which will clear the sleep out of your voice. Lay off on the coffee, or if its a must try a cup less, coffee makes your voice rough as well. Don't stress if you hear long pauses on the other end, it's just your interviewers catching up with what you just said. That's all I can think of right now but I'll keep it in the back of my mind. Good Luck!!

 

[FashionFix]

Thanks for the advice BetteT and Wixxxle! I have a phone interview tomorrow and hoping that will lead to a personal interview. I am setting high hopes for myself (maybe even getting too ahead of myself-but that's how it is for things you really want). --I REALLY want to leave the job I am currently working.
So we'll see.

 

[FashionFix]

Well... I just spoke to the guy at Hugo and he said the conversation went well and he was going to think about who he was going to call back for interviews. Well, we talked some more and at the end of the conversation he wanted to meet in person for an interview!!! Yay-sorry I am a little excited so I am going tomorrow! He had a few different positions so I am hopeful. Now the nervousness is setting in.

 

[Fashion Puss]

Telephone Interview for Design Role

Hey Everyone,

I have a scheduled phone interview for a design role for a major Australian clothing label. Its been a while since I've had a phone interview and would appreciate some tips.

As the role is for a designer, I am having to email most of my portfolio across to them so I will not physically be 'at' the portfolio, which I've never had to do before.

The reason its being conducted by phone is because I am still in the UK and am immigrating to Oz in two weeks time. The Head designer is going to interview me. It also means that it will be about 5am my time in the UK (!) I don't want to loose it and start jabbering, trying to make up for the lack of visual body language.

The other problem is that my portfolio has gone with the shippers. Fortunately I've got most of my portfolio in computer format but its mostly Menswear and this is a womenswear role. Is that going to matter too much? Its all I have available. If I try and run up something now and send it over its going to look like I have just run it up.

I would appreciate any tips anyone may have. This sounds like a fantastic role and want to make the best impression.

Thanks!

 

[Fashion Puss]

Does anyone think its tacky to include a picture of yourself with the email-portfolio, to personalise it, I suppose?

 

[fashionista-ta]

Hi, I don't work in your industry, so take this for what it's worth

I think a picture of yourself is a good idea--I would send one that's a good representation of yourself (i.e., not one that represents the single most photogenic moment of your life ).

I also would try to put something together that shows your work with women's wear if you can & just explain the situation. If the person who will be interviewing you is going to be sharing the portfolio with others, I would make the explanation integral to it so it can't get separated from it. If it were me, I would rather *see* your relevant work in any format than not see it at all.

Good luck!

 

[Fashion Puss]

Thanks for the advice - very much appreciated!

 

[too_chic]

Interview at ALDO..help plz!

I have an interview to go to tomorrow at Aldo (a Montreal-based shoe store for those who don't know) and it's sort of like an open house interview with other people. The problem is I've never done retailing before and I'm not quite sure what the interviewer's going to ask me. So does anyone have any tips as to how I should prepare? I really want this job so I need all the help I can get. Thanks

 

[softgrey]

they will ask if you have previous experience...have you ever had ANY job?..
try to figure out how is is related to customer service in some way....
what your schedule/availability is - the more available/flexible you are the better here...
tolak about being a hard worker- dependable-reliable- fast- organized- polite- love working with people...etc...

you get the idea...
good luck..

 

[Stylebites]

Tips on getting jobs in fashion: Jane's Ed. blog

I know that more than a few people will love these new posts on the Jane's Editors Blog: "Get This Job". Check it out here: Jane's Blog.

In case the link dies, here's the text as well.

Enjoy!
-----

We thought we'd give you insider tips on how to get that job you've always wanted, so every Friday we're going to post an interview with an HR rep (or someone who's in charge of hiring) so you can ditch your boring cubicle job and move on to bigger and better things. First up, Dannielle Romano, editor-at-large for DailyCandy, Inc., shares what her company looks for in a potential employee.

What is the ideal interview outfit?
A look that reveals a candidate's spunk, individuality, keen eye and defined taste would make a great impression. Someone who can pull together an outfit with inexpensive pieces from an H&M-type retailer, finds from an up-and-coming designer, plus vintage--and make it look effortless--would likely make a good editor.
What kind of strengths do you look for in a candidate?
Like everyone, we work hard and we work long hours, so we look for people we'd enjoy spending oodles of time with. Team members should be driven, creative, self-motivated, fun, funny, excited about and by our content, serene under pressure, steadfast, trustworthy, genuine and kind.
What is an immediate interview turnoff?
We are a pretty self-deprecating lot, so someone who takes herself too seriously, is pretentious or too much of a braggart, or doesn't seem to have a sense of humor would not be very popular. In New York, our office is totally dog-friendly, so staunch cat people might not be the best fit.
What is your "line" when you know you'll probably call a candidate back for a second interview or consider hiring her? What do you say if she probably won't be hired?
If we ask how much notice someone would need to give her employer, or when she could start, that's a good sign she's the one. If we say something like, "Well, it really was a pleasure. We'll be in touch if we'd like to move forward," it probably means she's not coming back.
***Note, all of these answers are for editorial-based positions.

 

[Velouria]

wow, great article. thanks for posting this!

 

[Meg]

yes definately thanks for posting. and I'm so jealous! DailyCandy sounds like a great work environment! Bringing my dog to work? Fun people? Doing something related to new happenings? I'll take it!

 

[jolie917]

Bonjour fashionistas!
I have two interviews coming up- Monday and Tuesday with two VERY BIG design houses in Manhattan for the position of Assistant Buyer. I am attempting to prepare myself to the best of my ability. Does anyone have any suggestions for what kind of questions they would ask me in my interview? Any suggestions for dress? I'm thinking I'm going to go classic- black pant suit.
Merci beaucoup!
Jolie

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

here are a few typical questions I've been asked on interviews:
1. Why are you looking to leave your current position? And, why did you leave all of your previous companies?
2. What salary are you looking for? (a good answer to this, is to put it back on them and ask them what they think you're value is, most of the time they'll offer more than you were going to ask).
3. What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
4. How do you deal with difficult co-workers?
5. Why are you interested in working for this company?
6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years?
7. What made you choose this career?
8. When was the last time you bought our clothing/shopped in our store?
That's all I can think of right now. GOOD LUCK!!!!
3.

 

[jolie917]

Thank you! I appreciate your help!
With as many views as this post has gotten, I was beginning to get a bit disappointed but thank you SamantaB.

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

You're welcome. Also, a lot of interviewers will take half the time telling you about the company. It also never hurts to look at the company's website before going on the interview, that way if they ask you about their products or customers you have an idea (I've goofed that up in interviews before). Plus, if you're entering the industry, most interviewers will not try to intimidate you, they understand. A black pantsuit always works. It's cold up here right now, so don't hesitate to wear a puffer coat/parka with it (everyone this morning was wearing one), maybe even a sweater with it.