Fashion Jobs- Interview Tips

[fashionandstyle1]

jolie, would you mind saying some things that were on your resume? like education and experience because I'm curious what the companies are looking for for an assistant buyer. Thanks and good luck when you start your job!!

 

[jolie917]

Well, some advice would be - for example, I used www.stylecareers.com mostly to search for jobs and I would use the same job description wording that companies use for req'd for certain positions. So if a company said, "prepare sales analysis blah blaah......" then I would use the same wording if I had done that specific job. That way when they review your resume, the wording sticks out to them. I also have a LOT of retail expierence. I feel that in order to work in the corporate side of the fashion industry, you need to pay your dues in retail. I worked for 5+ years in retails for both LVMH and a boutique. I then interned at Betsey Johnson. I suggest a variety of positions within the fashion industry rather than a long term history at one mall store, ex: abercrombie.
If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me!

 

[fashionandstyle1]

^thanks a bunch!!

 

[Dkammern]

what jolie917 said about using specific wording is quite a good point... what i would try is to know just as much as i could about the company.
TV, press, internet...
everycompany has websites, some of them show their financial results (LVMH), some of them have stuff from previous seasons (you can see how the company evolves) or some of them have things that may not seem important, but let's say you are gonna have an interview chez Chanel: i say it'd be quite impressive to let them know that you heard (video paris-monaco )they bought the artisan companies that make haute couture for them, that they plan on showing in LA, Barcelona, London... this shows a lot of interest on them, and that is probably what they are looking for: effort, dedication, interest!

finally, i don't really knwo how much this helps, but i once read an interview to Mr. Arnauld (LouisVuittonMoetHennesin) and he said that the first thing they do (at LVMH) is to tell their new hires to visit the company boutiques (see how they react, if they are familiar with what they see, etc) I suggest you do that in advanced!

all these little details + your curricullum + experience= the job is yours!

 

[jolie917]

I second that...again... Haha
Definitely STUDY the company. I've interviewed with quite a few companies and every since one from Jones Apparel Group to Armani has said, "So tell me what you know about our company."
Check WWD. Do your homework.

 

[tornumber9]

Topshop Interview Tips

Hey guys, I'm new here and can't wait to start posting on and reading the forum!

I was wanting a bit of advice, if anyone can help?

On Monday morning I have an interview at Topshop.
Its a job doing allsorts including merchandising, promotions, displays, selling etc.
It's my dream job, and I want to get it sooo badly, I can't even begin to explain!

Any tips on things I shouldn't forget to mention (as daft or obvious as they may seem), what to wear etc.?



Thanks xx

 

[BetteT]

Welcome to tFS, tornumber9!

I merged your thread into this ongoing thread about this very topic. You should find some good information already in here.

To ask about what to wear to your interview ... go here: What to Wear to an Interview for a Job or an Internship in the Fashion Industry?

To learn how to find threads, before you start new ones (a requirement, per the Community Rules) go to this thread in the Member Support Forum: Searching for Something? ... How to Narrow Down Search Results at tFS

 

[Sampson Sunday]

Selfridges Interview

Hello.

I have an interview at Selfridges on Thursday to work in the Menswear department.

Any hints, info and help would be REALLY appreciated.

Thankyou

x

 

[NadineAndTheCity]

Hello everyone and thanx for your help!

I am very excited to have an interview for an internship at German InStyle magazine in about two weeks. I will have to travel to Munich (Im in Berlin) for it so I dont wanna mess it up

Do you think they will ask more questions about myself or about fashion/ their magazine in general? Also....how long is a "normal" interview?

Any tips would be very much appreciated

 

[Alesso]

Hi all,

I have an interview with Hermés for full-time sales associate position.

What should I expect? Any suggestions?

 

[nicestthing]

hiiii,
has anyone ever worked for Urban Outfitters?
i've got a job interview with them on Wednesday and was wondering if you've got any tips!

thank you

 

[BetteT]

Both of you should check out the Retail Sales & Mangement thread ... there's information about retail jobs there.

 

[nicestthing]

thank you!

 

[xbryony]

Has anyone here worked for Clinique? Preferably in the UK but any advice would be helpfull
I've found the perfect part-time position online, but they ask you to call them up for a phone interview so I want to be prepared! I have 1.5 years customer experience waitressing and about 5 months retail in different stores, neither are cosmetics though.
I love the brand and think I can convince them my experience will still put me in good sales stead, just I don't know if anyone has any advice of what they look for... any selling points at all?
I get so nervous with interviews, hah it sucks because I usually know exactly what to say etc then my nerves make me ramble. Once I'm working I'm fine its just the interview situation itself pfft!

 

[BetteT]

I am assuming that you are applying for counter work in a store? If that is the case, then they are looking for a person who can sell .... first and foremost. So think about how you have sold product in your other jobs. Since most of your experience is watiressing you need to put a sales slant on what you did for the restaurant. Even a waitress can sell (or cross sell as it's called which means to get them to buy more than they intended to buy). Things like desert, a fancy coffee, some wine, an appetizer, etc. Be prepared to show them how what you did in a restaurant used the exact same skills as you would use when working retail ... sellling, customer service, using the cash register, keeping your area clean and supplied, etc.

 

[pomegranates]

haven't been on tfs for a while.. and browsing now, just remembered how helpful some of the threads are!

anyway, i'm nearing end of my degree, so will start job searching soon, and I remembered an interview question that always get me..

What is you answer to the question "what is your greatest weakness?"

oh, and also, "describe a situation where you did no get along with a colleague and how you dealt with the situation"

Both these questions, esp. the first, you have to point out something negative about yourself which can't be good for the interview!

Any tips on how to get around it?

 

[xbryony]

Thank you for your reply BetteT, yes it's just a counter work position for one day a week.

I have an interview tomorrow for the new Levi's Flagship re-opening on Regents Street (London) and I have something interesting to add/ask which they sent me in an e-mail:

"[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']As part of your interview we’d like you to tell us why you’re original. Bring something with you that that sums up who you are. It could be a photo, an object, a song, we’ll leave it up to you, but when we meet we’ll ask you what you’ve chosen and why."[/font]

I think a friend of mine was asked to do this for an interview with Selfridge but I can't remember what he took/spoke about. I get really nervous with interviews so wanna be deadly prepared, I need to think of something really unique I guess. Anyone else had this kind of experience in an interview before?
And aslo would like to hear answers to pomegranates queries - very tricky questions to manoevre!

 

[MagickalGoddess]

I have an interview with a Brand Management Company in Australia. I’d rather not mention names in case their HR personnel frequent these boards.

I’m so nervous, more than I have been with other interviews I’ve attended because I really want this job.

The role is in administration; I have the relevant qualifications in administration and solid experience working in an office environment, but no prior experience or qualifications related to fashion. Not that this matters? They’ve invited me in for an interview after all, so they must be impressed with my Resume, right?

I have an idea of the type of questions they’ll ask, as I am actively seeking full-time employment and have attended numerous interviews with no luck.
So, any tips on how to calm my nervous? Suggested questions to ask at the end of the interview? Any other tips regarding what to wear etc etc...

Thanks in advance! :L:

 

[MagickalGoddess]

haven't been on tfs for a while.. and browsing now, just remembered how helpful some of the threads are!

anyway, i'm nearing end of my degree, so will start job searching soon, and I remembered an interview question that always get me..

What is you answer to the question "what is your greatest weakness?"

oh, and also, "describe a situation where you did no get along with a colleague and how you dealt with the situation"

Both these questions, esp. the first, you have to point out something negative about yourself which can't be good for the interview!

Any tips on how to get around it?

Apparently ‘Perfectionist’ is a common answer, so it’s probably best not to say that. I think with this question, you should also explain how you are, or have overcome it.
Not sure how I'd answer the question about not getting along with a colleague. I think I'd say something like 'I like to stay professional by staying focused on work related matters, and shrug off issued that aren’t related to work if they do arise.' Oh, I don’t know… I know I’ve been asked this question before, and I know that I didn’t do a very good job at answering it. I think this question is asked to assess how well you work in a team and how you deal with difficult situations.

 

[Hermoza]

Hello,

I hope this is the right thread.... I have an interview for a Assistant Costumer position in a movie production. They are aware that I don't have any experience and would be willing to take me in on volunteering basis. I am not sure how should I get ready for this interview, what should I expect ?