Good News! You got past the application round and have been invited to a real interview or a virtual one (still just as important). Whether it is with an employee, a hiring manager, or HR, you have to be prepared and that is exactly what I am going to help you with today! One thing I have realized is that some people are really good interviewers and some people are not. Just like some people are really good test takers and others are not as great. Personally, I am a good interviewer and a horrible test taker. I am always better in person than on paper. However, whether you love interviewing or dread it with every fiber in your being, you can still benefit from some of the tips I will be sharing with you today!
Enjoy!
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Tip 1: PREP PREP PREP!!!!
We all know that interview prep is crucial and it 100% is, but not many people know what exactly you should prep for besides the inevitable "tell me about yourself", "why do you want this job", "what are your strengths and weaknesses" questions. Interviewing in fashion is a lot more detailed and analytical than you might think because you are being quizzed on the job you are applying and the industry in general. The people who are interviewing you can tell if you have done the work or are pulling things out of your ass (excuse my french). Here is a list of questions you should consider when prepping for your interview (and yes, I have actually been asked these):
- What are your favorite trends right now?
- Who do you think our competitors are?
- What do you think are company is doing well in? Where do you think we can improve?
- Who are some of your favorite designers? Why?
- What are some of your career goals?
- What is your working style?
- Tell me about a time where you had to make a calculated risk. What happened?
Tip 2: Dress Match the Brand
A lot of people think that Business Professional is just the bread and butter for interviews whether in person or virtual. For the fashion industry, this is not the case. You have heard the saying "dress for the job you want" but twist that into "dress for the company you want to work for". If you are applying to somewhere more luxury, or a place that sells more professional clothing you would dress a little more button up. On the opposite end, if you are dressing for a younger company or a company that sells more relaxed clothing, dress to match the vibe. You want to show that you belong in the brand and understand the vision, and your clothes will reflect that! Now, as a disclaimer, where what you feel comfortable in, the fashion industry is just more judgmental so I want to prepare you all for that. It truly is the little things.
Tip 3: Look up the Person who is Interviewing you Linked In
Now the Internet offers more information than ever, why won't you use it to your advantage? I think I have established that Linked In is very much an asset in this job search process. I would definitely recommend adding the people who interview you on Linked In after your interview, but before, look them up and see their background. It is exactly what they are doing to prepare to meet with you, so there is no harm in it. See where they went to school, how long they have worked for the company, where else they have worked, etc. It will help you give an idea on what to ask they and just getting a vibe for what type of person they are. This is also just another way to show intention in your recruiting process which will be something people pick up!
Tip 4: Ask Meaningful Questions
Asking questions shows that you are genuinely interested in the job and the company which is something the interviewer is looking for! During this time you want to not only have questions, but questions that will actually help you get a feel for the role. Asking questions about the company culture, how the role may compare to your past experience, growth opportunities, and where they see the company evolving. These questions need to go beyond "whats your favorite part of your job". You truly are interviewing these people as much as they are interviewing you and especially if you have multiple different companies to interview for, you need to find out what about each company stands out to you!
Tip 5: Send a Letter or Email Thanking People for their Time
This is something I learned in college and I have done it every time I have interviewed anywhere. Like I was saying earlier, it truly is the little things that will help you stand out. Also people love feeling special and thank someone for their time shows that you think their time is valuable! You do not have to make it a long message. Here is a sample of what I usually say:
Dear XXXX,
Thank you so much for your time this (morning/ afternoon/ evening) to talk about the (job position) Role. I enjoyed hearing about your perspective on the company and appreciated the opportunity to talk about my previous experience and goals for the future. ** I also try to include on sentence personalizing the Thank You to the interviewer** I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Trust me, if you have their information, send a Thank You and if you don't already have their information, ask for it in the interview!
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That is all for this session of "So You Want to Work in Fashion"! I hope you enjoyed this mini series and find it helpful if you are interviewing for a job opening! Also as a reminder, everyone has their own life timeline. Someone getting a job before you does not mean you are less qualified. I took me a year and a half of applying and interviewing for jobs and now I am working in the industry of my dreams! Good things take time and it will all work out in the end truly!!!
Stay UNIQUE,
Sara Anne
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