Fashion Jobs- Interview Tips

[diorable]

I'm sorry to use this thread...but I didn't want to start a very similar one of my own. I'm currently in high school (only 16), but I applied for an internship with a local fashion designer, and she called me three hours later after my email and we set up an appointment time to meet and talk, and see if she'd be interested in me.

I'm really nervous. I'm only 16, with absolutely no experience and only enthusiasm (as I've stated in my cover letter), and I have no idea what a 16 year old should wear to the meeting/appointment. I don't want to wear a pantsuit and seem...too old. I want to show that I'm young and ready to learn about the fashion industry...how should I dress? Casual dressy? Or just casually cute? And am I shooting too far at my age?

 

[Fashionality]

I'm sorry to use this thread...but I didn't want to start a very similar one of my own. I'm currently in high school (only 16), but I applied for an internship with a local fashion designer, and she called me three hours later after my email and we set up an appointment time to meet and talk, and see if she'd be interested in me.

I'm really nervous. I'm only 16, with absolutely no experience and only enthusiasm (as I've stated in my cover letter), and I have no idea what a 16 year old should wear to the meeting/appointment. I don't want to wear a pantsuit and seem...too old. I want to show that I'm young and ready to learn about the fashion industry...how should I dress? Casual dressy? Or just casually cute? And am I shooting too far at my age?

In my opinion you should better not wear a pantsuit. Just go casual, but not too! Don't wear jeans, I guess that's too casual. Some neat pants and maybe a top with some colour and a blazer or something like that?
And don't worry too much about the interview, the lady will probably be very nice to you, because of your age. Be polite and enthousiastic

 

[reese06]

Something I always have done and always gotten the job is dress in the image of the company that I'm interviewing for but I try to let it be too obvious that I'm doing it.

 

[Casius]

Okay, so I am curious how the interviews went. Any updates?

 

[jolie917]

Had one today with my top choice, the #2 Fashion Designer of all time as rated by A&E. It went well. A few unexpected questions were asked but I feel that I answered them to the best of my ability. It was a lot longer of an interview than I though so I suppose that it's a good sign. This position also calls for travel to Milan so you can imagine how BADLY I want it.
Two more tommorrow- I'm nowhere NEAR as nervous as I was for the interview today so they should go well.
Thank you for asking.

 

[Parapluie]

good luck!

 

[kossoyan]

For my interview for a marketing internship at one of New York's top fashion brands, I wore a full suit and tie. Better to dress as professional as possible. Thats my point of view. I got the internship btw...so excited!

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

For my interview for a marketing internship at one of New York's top fashion brands, I wore a full suit and tie. Better to dress as professional as possible. Thats my point of view. I got the internship btw...so excited!

Congratulations!

 

[jolie917]

How long do you guys think it's normal to wait until I hear back from the companies I interviewed with? A week max? I already called and left messages and mailed thank you notes.

 

[taz]

do you think that you need to wear somthing from this fashion house..at least thier fragrance???

 

[reese06]

You don't have to wear something from the fashion house but you at least want to look like the brand or look like you belong. And I wouldn't wear their fragrance as I don't think you should wear any fragrance on job interviews as they can be offensive to others.

 

[jolie917]

Yeah I agree. As long as you look similar to their look, its fine. I definitely wouldn't like overdo it and get decked out in their brand name but a piece of jewelry or a small accessory would be smart.

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

How long do you guys think it's normal to wait until I hear back from the companies I interviewed with? A week max? I already called and left messages and mailed thank you notes.

That's a tough one. Since the holidays are here, that usually disrupts HR schedules (because half the staff will be on vacation), it could take more than a week. I wouldn't get worried if you don't hear from them this week, they probably have a lot of work right now and may not be able to respond quickly. I've had companies get back to me immediately, and others have taken a long time (one company called me back for a second interview nine months after the first interview).

 

[diorable]

hmm...since I'm only 16, should I wear heels anyways? Or would dressy flats work just as well?

 

[jolie917]

Thank you, Samantha. I appreciate it. Should I try sending an email? I just am in a predicament- should I appreciate third best just because I havent heard YET from my top two? If I do and my top choice (A&E's #2 Fashion Designer of all time), contacts me for further interviewing or makes an offer, I can't just tell my third choice to scram. Can I?

 

[reese06]

If anyone knows, can you email me the name of A&E's #2 Fashion Designer of All time please??

 

[kossoyan]

lol. It can get annoying waiting for a response, but you have to understand that these people are busy with other tasks too. I was really impatient, but I waited and I got the positive response back and was so happy. Just take it easy, chill out and wait for them to get back to you. They have other things to take care of for their job, not just to get back to interns.

I wish everyone luck with their job hunt! peace.

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

If you've already called or sent a thank you e-mail, I'd hold off sending another e-mail within a week. I don't think they're brushing you off, because this is the holiday season and most HR departments get swamped around this time (with so many employee vacations around this time, having to get employee IRS forms prepared for this tax year, planning the company Christmas party, figuring out fiscal budgets for the upcoming year, training spring interns and also a lot of career fairs/recruiting events happen early in the year, they've got a lot on their plate). Has the 3rd choice made an offer already? In that case, I'd say there's no harm in calling your top choice and explaining the situation. If you stress how much you would prefer to work there, then you might get their decision.

 

[jolie917]

Samantha, thanks so much for all of your advice! Karma!
I went ahead and accepted my third choice, just because I needed to make set plans- I fly out Jan 2, ONE WAY and I need to begin the full time job of apartment hunting- haha. I'm set to start January 8th but my 2nd choice (bon chic bon genre) left me a message today saying GOOD NEWS. So what I've decided to do is just if my 1st and 2nd choices give me a better offer, then I'll just tell my 3rd choice, just that. But more companies have been calling to schedule interviews so I'm doing that as well. I suppose if I play my cards right, in the end, I'll be able to choose which companies that I would most like to work for- well something along those lines haha.
I've always looked at stylecareers.com, wwd.com, nytimes. And others that you might recommend?

So what exactly do you do in the city? How long have you lived there?
I spent the summer interning in NY and am just so eager to return!

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

I'm a sweater technical designer (womenswear). Moved here from Kentucky 7 years ago.
I would have taken the 3rd choice, too. It's a big move up here and you need to have some security. People decline jobs after being there a week, so don't feel guilty about it (that's just the nature of this industry). If you're smart, you always keep looking for other opportunities (most people won't say it, but it's true). Those are the major websites, I use those and also use recruiters/agencies (that way, you don't end up sending a resume to a division of the company you're currently at---that's embarrassing). Good luck on the apartment search.