At this point, let's assume you've taken the necessary time to do your own personal inventory of your interests and your skills.
THE PORTFOLIO
Although not all jobs in the fashion field require the candidate to present a portfolio to a prospective employer, most art and design-related jobs do. A portfolio should represent a collection of your best work and creative thinking put down on paper. An interviewer can quickly view your work and get a good idea of your drawing skills, sense of design, feeling for color and texture, and ability to coordinate fashions. From eight to twelve pieces of artwork should give any professional looking at your portfolio the opportunity to evaluate your strengths. It is not necessary to present all of your collected work, even though you may be tempted to do so. Beginners generally like to present all of their drawings, particularly early work, which is often amateurish. Employers are usually too busy to spend a great deal of their valuable time going over great numbers of drawings and designs.
What is necessary to achieve is a balanced representation of your abilities. If you are quite flexible in your skills, show samples of your work that will represent differing styles; let the viewer know that you can work in varied ways. For example, the textile designer who can draw in a bold, free manner as well as in a more detailed or tighter style, should choose several samples of each style of drawing for the portfolio. This easily demonstrates to the viewer that the artist is versatile and can do work in either manner.
Many employers discuss your portfolio with you during the interview to learn about your abilities, your style sense, and your ideas about fashion looks for the future. Other employers may look at your work but not discuss it with you at all. You should feel free to ask any viewer if they would like to have you talk about your artwork or your ideas. In addition to sketching, design, and color information, employers often can observe your creative thinking process by looking at your quick working sketches and then seeing your finished art work. It is interesting for them to note how the artist begins to put together a line or collection of coordinated fashions or fabrics. Be sure that only your most current ideas are shown during the interview. Employers do not enjoy seeing designs that are not truly up-to-date, and they are really most interested in discovering if your ideas are a season or two ahead of the times.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
It is natural for you to feel nervous about the interviewing situation. You will find, however, that after you have had several interviews you do get some idea of what to expect. Certain basic questions almost always will be asked of you. You may begin to feel more at ease as you have more opportunities to practice your responses. As each interviewer operates in a different manner, it is best to be prepared for different possibilities by planning and practicing in advance. Think about answers you can give to commonly asked questions. Practice talking about your background, your goals and interests, your school preparation, and your ideas about your future. You can review this information about yourself with your placement counselor, with a friend or family member, or in the privacy of your room in front of a mirror. Interviewers often feel that the first few minutes of the interviewing session create the all-important impressions they are left with. With this idea in mind, be aware of your verbal presentation as well as your nonverbal presentation.
Your body language can convey a great deal! Good posture while standing, walking, or sitting is essential. Avoid slouching or slumping in a chair. Try not to fidget with jewelry, your hair, or your clothing. Do not chew gum. You should not smoke unless you are invited to do so. Increasing numbers of companies are asking that their employees not smoke, or that they smoke only in designated areas. If you know the interviewer's name, use it in an opening greeting. Try to maintain eye contact during the interview, although it may seem easier for you to avoid the glance of the person you are talking to. In an interview setting, avoiding eye contact can be interpreted as lack of interest in the situation.
Be honest in discussing your qualifications. Employers hiring beginners realize that you will not have a heavy work background. But let them know you are eager to work and learn. Remember to convey a friendly and positive attitude. This can help to put the interviewer as well as yourself at ease. Be natural and smile. Get information about the firm while you are giving information about yourself. Listen attentively, and express interest and enthusiasm while talking to the interviewer. If you sense the interview is going poorly and you probably will not be considered for the job, try not to let your disappointment show. Continue in a positive manner. Your confidence will leave the interviewer with a good impression.
Avoid taking notes during your interview. You can jot down any important information you may want to remember immediately after the interview on the notepad you keep with you.
Answer all questions completely instead of just replying with "no" or "yes" responses. Try not to wander off the topic or bring in unrelated or personal information. If you are stumped by a particularly tough question, let the interviewer know that you need more time to think about your response or that you are truly unable to respond to that particular question. Once you are aware of a question you have difficulty with, you can prepare a better answer to that question in case it comes up in later interviews with other employers.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT SALARY
You will want to try to find out the salary offer or general salary range the employer is offering. You should be aware of what the minimum acceptable wage is for the beginning level jobs you are considering. Your placement counselor or teacher can be helpful in providing you with this information. Looking at classified ads in your local newspaper should give you a range for entry-level jobs.
If there is no mention of salary by the end of the interview and the job does appeal to you, you can feel free to ask the interviewer what salary the position will pay. Be prepared to be asked "How much do you think you are worth?" If you know the average range for the specific job, you can comfortably answer the question without asking for an unreasonable salary and without settling on a wage below the standard. Keep in mind that the salary should be discussed only if there is a real likelihood that you and the job are suited for each other. Questions about fringe benefits, vacation days, sick leave, and salary should not be asked until all other aspects of the job duties have been discussed and you believe you are a candidate for the position.
You should recognize that the starting salary is not the most important issue in deciding which position to accept. Find out the company's policy on salary review. You may take an entry job at a salary higher than one of your friends, but discover that you are locked into that salary for an entire year because your firm has a policy of an annual salary review. Your friend may have a chance to be considered for a raise in three or six months and may be earning more than you in a relatively short time. Unless you have great financial need, you should consider how much learning and training you can expect to receive and what promotional opportunities exist within the firm before making your final decision.
SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Planning ahead for the interview is essential. Be prepared for some difficult questions. This is where your advance planning and preparation will pay off.
"Tell me about yourself is a favorite ice breaker for many interviewers. You can start to talk about the items in your background that relate to the employer's job offer. Be specific and informative about your education, your career goals, and any work experience that relates to the work situation. This is your chance to display enthusiasm and to communicate your interest in the position and in the firm. Keep your replies focused on the job and its requirements so that you do not wander off onto unrelated conversation about yourself.
"Why are you interested in this company?" is another commonly asked question. Here is where your research will come in handy. If you have reviewed the firm's literature and all other resources, and in the case of retail stores if you have made a special visit, you should be able to discuss freely your particular interest in the company and what makes it appealing to you.
Become familiar with the questions that are most often asked during interviews:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your goals and career plans?
- Tell me about your strong points and your weaknesses.
- Why are you interested in working for my firm?
- How did you become interested in this field of work?
- What do you know about my company?
- What amount of money do you think your work is worth as a beginner?
- Tell me about your work experience while you were still in school.
- What jobs have you enjoyed the most? The least?
- What are your hobbies? Your interests?
- Discuss your school background.
- What special skills do you possess that will be important on this job?
- Can you take instructions and criticism without feeling upset?
- Can you work cooperatively with others?
- In what school activities did you participate?
- Did you receive any scholarships or awards?
- What courses did you like best? Least?
- What makes you think you will be successful in the field you have chosen?
- Do you like to work alone or with others?
- Do you have any questions that you would like to ask me?
- How is the department organized?
- To whom will I report?
- Do people work in teams or individually?
- How often are there department meetings?
- Will I receive on-the-job training?
- Is the firm planning to expand?
- Are there new services or new products being considered?
ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
There are many federal and state laws that prohibit employers from asking questions about things that are not related to your ability to perform a job. Some of these issues include marital or family status, sexual preferences, religion, arrest record, national origin, and handicaps.
Because few supervisors or department heads are trained interviewers, many still ask improper questions, regardless of the industry or the size of the company. Most interviewers do not wish to ask illegal questions but during the interview may inadvertently lead the conversation into areas they should not be discussing. Your best strategy is to be aware of what questions you do not have to answer, or to practice how to effectively respond to such inquiries. In most cases, you can answer in a way that will allow you to retain your privacy without offending the interviewer.
Employers do have the right to inquire if you have a handicap that might affect your ability to perform your specific job. However, they cannot ask you to describe your medical condition to them. If you are questioned about a handicap, you might answer by saying that you are fully able to handle the responsibilities of the position. This type of response should address the interviewer's concern and allow you to clearly state that you can do the job.
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
Assuming you and the interviewer have had a chance to talk and neither of you has any more questions, you can effectively use the remaining moments to try to leave the interviewer with a favorable impression by keeping the following strategies in mind:
Allow the Interviewer to End the Interview. Don't stand up or make motions indicating that you are ready to leave until your interviewer gives you the sense that he or she is ready to stand and terminate the meeting. At that point, of course you can rise and get ready to thank the interviewer for the opportunity of being seen.
Restate Your Interest in the Job. This is an excellent chance to once again talk about your enthusiasm and interest in the position, while thanking the interviewer for spending time with you. If you feel the position is an opportunity for you to make use of your skills and make a contribution to the organization, say so!
Talk about What Has Impressed You. Try to think about what part of the interview conversation impressed you. If you can remember items of particular interest, you should mention them. You might mention the firm's commitment to customer satisfaction, or the news that it is planning to expand or introduce a new product or service. The interviewer will appreciate that you listened attentively and have positive feelings about a particular aspect of the organization.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
Following the initial interview, if you get an immediate job offer, and you are sure it is the job you want, accept it with a "thank you" and a definite "yes." Set the date and time that you will show up for work. Find out to whom you will report and know at what location you are expected. Make sure you are clear about the starting salary. Be prepared to fill out forms for the personnel and payroll departments. Call any other employers who may still be considering you and let them know you are no longer available. Show up for your first day on the job with energy and enthusiasm, ready and willing to work.
If you are doubtful about accepting a position that is offered to you, you can thank the employer for expressing interest in you and indicate that you need some time to think it over, or consult with your family or placement counselor. You can feel free to ask for any additional information that you may need to know about the company that will help you make your decision. Let the employer know exactly when you will call back with your answer and make a notation for yourself in your notepad. Be sure to contact the employer with your answer at the time and date agreed upon. If you decide to decline the job offer, express your appreciation for the employer's interest in you. Be gracious. You never know at what point in your career you may be very interested in considering employment with that firm again.
Employers like to know that you are interested in the job they are trying to fill. Convince the employer that you can do the work, that you want the chance to prove it, and that you appreciate the opportunity of having the interview. Relax, smile, and try to show as much confidence when you leave as when you entered the interviewer's office.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
No interview is ever perfect. However, they do become easier with practice. After each interview, review the questions you were unable to answer easily and work on better ways to answer them. This will allow you to be more comfortable the next time that question is asked.
Keep your own record of which employers expect you to call back to hear about their hiring decision. Make a note of which interviewers plan on contacting you, and when. If an interviewer seemed interested and indicated that you would be contacted but you haven't heard after one week has passed, you can write a brief note or telephone to remind the interviewer of your conversation. Express appreciation for the time given you during the interview and indicate your continued interest in being considered for the job.
Don't become discouraged by a number of rejections and feel no one wants to hire you. You will learn a great deal from your early interviews and will probably do better in later ones. The job you are seeking may turn up when you least expect it. But you can't wait for exciting opportunities to come to you. Be active and pursue all leads that interest you. Follow them up in a businesslike manner. You must be aggressive and go after what you want!
THANK YOU LETTER
A good way to improve your chance of making a positive impression is to send a letter of thanks to the interviewer. Take the extra time to write a short note of appreciation. Your thank you note can be more than just a polite gesture; it can serve as a means of restating your interest in the position, and it allows you to summarize your skills and talents. In situations where your candidacy is borderline, a thank you note may stack the odds in your favor. The same is true if you are competing with many other well-qualified candidates.
During the interview, you might think of asking for the interviewer's business card so you will be sure to have the correct name, title, and address. Write your letter as soon as you return from the interview and try to mail it promptly-no more than two or three days after your interview will ensure that you're still fresh in the recruiter's mind. A letter that arrives three or four weeks after the interview won't be of much value. After all, you want your note to have some impact on the hiring decision.
One or two well-worded paragraphs will allow you to express your interest in the job and your appreciation for the opportunity of meeting with the interviewer. You might want to briefly highlight your qualifications and indicate that you eagerly will be awaiting the company's decision. Try to make your letter personal by referring to some part of the interview conversation that you found interesting or helpful.
Your thank you letter does not have to be typed unless you have poor handwriting. A neat handwritten note seems to get more attention as it feels more personal to the reader. Keep in mind that even a thank you note is a sample of your work, so don't get sloppy. Before you mail it, proofread it for accuracy, and make sure it's letter perfect.
YOUR FIRST POSITION
In fashion, as in any other field, your first position deserves a great deal of your energy and effort. Often, a first job will establish a pattern of achievement and advancement that will affect later jobs in a person's working life. It is a time to develop efficiency and organizational skills and to sort out future career options. A first position also affords the opportunity to improve interpersonal and communication skills. Properly selected and carried through, the first job can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Here are some suggestions to maximize this crucial experience:
Be Prepared to Work Hard: Employers expect a full day's work from every employee. They often pay more attention to beginners, so it is likely that you will be observed more than experienced workers.
Be Observant: Try to take in as much as possible about all the operations you have contact with, not just those that form your particular responsibility. Being observant may allow you to pick up many valuable details about your work. Pay special attention to the way in which other employees handle their jobs; in this way you can learn the ropes more quickly. Employers will recognize and appreciate your interest.
Respect Your Co-workers: Experienced employees can be a wonderful source of information and advice. After all, who knows more about the unwritten practices of a company than a worker who has been on the job for many years? Use your co-workers as resources and respect their experience.
Find a Mentor: Seek out a senior worker who values your abilities and potential and who can give you new assignments, advice, and guidance that will help you progress. This personal relationship is especially important in larger, more impersonal companies.
Become a Doer: Impress your supervisor with your energy and enthusiasm. You will soon get the reputation of someone who can be relied on to get a job done properly. This positive, active role will make your job more pleasant, and will count for a lot at promotion time.
Be Cooperative: Pitch in and help co-workers when you are able to without interrupting your own work schedule. You will then feel freer to ask them for help when you need it and there will be many times when you will.
Mistakes Will Happen: Learn to acknowledge your errors and profit from them. No one demands perfection on the job all the time, and by admitting your mistakes you will quickly gain respect among your co-workers.
THE CHOICE IS ALL YOURS
Unfortunately, many persons find themselves in work situations that were never planned or even given much thought. This can result in years of frustration and unhappiness on the job. Remember the forty years of your working life mentioned at the outset of this book? Don't allow those thousands of hours of your life to be anything but the most rewarding for you.
The most satisfying careers don't always follow a straight path. Allow for detours as you move along. Consider exploring new areas of work full-time positions, freelance assignments, and part-time jobs in new fields. Determine how you can apply your skills and experience to new areas of endeavor. Look for the opportunity to get additional education.
Finally, leave time for your personal growth and development. Family involvement, travel, relaxation-all these activities can enhance and enrich your route to the top. Go for it. The choice is all yours!
