Fashion and Textiles: J ob searching Making applications Becoming a professional

Amy WigginsCareers & Employability Service

Speculative approaches are really important in the fashion industry (especially for internships)

The BBC say a third of jobs are never advertised (others say 70-80%)

Send your CV and cover letter (to the correct person)

The organisation can see that:▪ You are interested in them specifically▪ You have initiative▪ They could avoid recruitment

advertising fees

On average how long does a recruiter spend looking at a CV?

a.0-30 secondsb.30 seconds – 1 minutec.1-2 minutes

Look at the job advert for ‘Creative Artworker’.

You will be given three CVs and you will have 20 seconds to look at each one and decide which one(s) (if any) you would invite to an interview.

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Which one(s) did you choose and why?

Personal details Personal profile (optional) Education from GCSE level –institutions,

qualifications & dates (most recent first) Relevant work experience Work history Other information References

Name (as a heading rather than ‘CV’) Address Telephone number Email address

Make sure this is a professional email address, not ‘sexybeccy@hotmail.com’

Start with the most recent Don’t forget your current study

Mention relevant modules You might like to mention top marks

You don’t have to put your grades on if you weren’t happy with them

Include the years of study Primary school not needed

Education and Qualifications

2011 – Present University of KentBA (Hons) Photography (Predicted 2:1)Modules include: Creative photography, technical equipment and business skills for photographers.Highlights include:

• Winner of the College Photography Award• Portfolio grade of 75%

2009 – 2011 Maidstone Grammar SchoolA-levels: Media Studies (A), Art (B), Information Technology (C)

2005 – 2009 Wrotham SchoolGCSEs: 8 GCSEs grade A-C including English and Mathematics

Dates, name of company, position, location. Don’t just list your duties – sell your skills and

provide evidence. Which skills are relevant to the position/company you are applying to?

Sales Assistant Museum of Kent Life, Maidstone April 2010 – June 2011

•Delivered excellent customer service as demonstrated by my mystery shop result of 91% and by receiving ‘Sales Assistant of the Month’ award three times.•Achieved a sales result of 5% above my target illustrating my advanced selling skills, as well as my determination to succeed.

You probably have more skills than you realise…

created instructed analysed producednegotiated designed calculated

maintained administered controlled reviewed consolidated delivered founded

increasedstudied invented supplied detected

programmed recommended distributeddeveloped solved prepared installed selected arranged formulated solved

started

Choose interests and activities which can demonstrate skills relevant to the job such as:

• Team work• Organising• Commitment• Your intellectual abilities• Your personality• Your artistic ability

Ideally, one academic and previous/current employer.

Ask permission from your referee and let them know what position(s) you’ve applied for.

Use relevant references if possible. You can say ‘references available on

request’ rather than including contact details if you wish.

• It is not ‘one size fits all’, you need to tailor your CV to each position you apply for.

• Research the company. Do they have a mission statement or core values? What will they be looking for in you? Check the job description/person specification.

Assistant Designer - The Role:* Reporting to the Design & Account Manager & working alongside another designer* Working on women's & children's nightwear and loungewear, including character design*Assist the Designer to develop graphics for the range*Produce commercial & accurate design specifications*Researching and developing new ranges to drive forward the existing product

How would you match your skills to this job?

Assistant Designer - The Candidate*Fashion related degree*Excellent organisation/planning skills *A background in nightwear/loungewear would be an advantage* An aptitude for character design*CAD essential

The first visual impression of your CV is important. For standard CVs, use plain white A4 paper. Do not double side (?) Keep your CV to one or two sides of paper. Check your spelling. Use bullet points and bold font but in moderation.

Formatting – make sure it’s consistent. Size 11-12 font (depending on font style). Clear font e.g. Arial, Calibri.

2:1, not Two One or 2,1. Use short, concise sentences.

Pros and cons Be creative in design BUT ensure all

relevant CV information is included. Include a weblink to your portfolio

(remember Arts Thread). In general, less is more

http://careers.falmouth.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/CreativeCVGuide(1).pdf

My hobbits include - instead of 'hobbies.'

I have good writen skills. i am a prefectionist and rarely if if

ever forget details. I hope to hear from you shorty. In my spare time I enjoy hiding my

horse.

If you’re sending an employer your CV, you should always include a cover letter. A good layout to use is…

(1) Introduction

(2) Why job/why industry?

(3) Why Company?

Show that you have taken the time to research that particular company (not always possible if through a recruitment agency).

(4) Why You?

You could include: relevant skills gained from work experience specific modules/projects from your course skills gained through self-employment/volunteering

(5) Conclusion

(6) Yours sincerely/signature

How might being in a workplace differ from being in education?What might be expected of you?

Your time might be structured differently, offering less flexibility e.g. 9-5, working weekends There might be a dress code

Your employer might choose your direction for a project

Feedback may be less frequent Professional environmente.g. no swearing, no checkingYour Facebook!

Professional writing expected e.g.

‘Dear Mr Smith’ rather than ‘Hiya!’

How can you show you are professional?

Arrive 15 minutes early to interviews and be on time at work

Dress smartly at interviews…

55% of the interview is visual

(maybe more in fashion!)

Make a professional

appearance from the start;

check your:

Online presence

Voicemail

Email address

Think about your body language:Good eye contactA handshakeConfident posture

Use a formal writing style, don’t ‘text speak’!

www.kent.ac.uk/ces (includes info on award and ‘destinations’)

www.facebook.com/ukmemployability

www.twitter.com/ukmemploy

www.prospects.ac.uk (includes information on different sectors and jobs, working abroad, career planning)

Email: medwaycareers@kent.ac.uk

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm