Tips for job-hunting graduates
Navigating the fashion industry as a fresh graduate is no easy task, it can be daunting, faced with setbacks and uncertainty - here at Frame we speak with fashion graduates on a daily basis who share these thoughts and emotions.
One of the most rewarding aspects of what we do is helping passionate graduates pursue their dream careers. Whether you’re seeking a role across design, marketing, buying, or retail, the Frame team would love to help you with your big break into the fashion industry - read on to hear Frame’s top tips & advice for budding-fashion graduates.
Our top recommendation for students who are nearing the end of their degree is to secure an internship. Internships are beneficial to students in various ways, especially within the fashion industry where clients are looking for candidates with specific skills & experience. Internships provide students with the opportunity to build on theory and apply the knowledge from their studies to a relevant and ‘real’ work environment. Through an internship, you will gain insight into an industry or field before graduating, gain experience with systems used within the industry and gain a sound reference. All of which are beneficial when you are securing an entry-level role. Often graduates struggle to compete for entry-level roles over candidates with greater experience, this is where an internship will help you get ahead and stand out amongst other candidates. An internship is something to seriously consider in order to get a foot in the door, gain experience whilst you study, and jumpstart your career, potentially even resulting in a graduate role!
Commonly amongst fashion graduates, we find they are opposed to retail, or store-based roles. Our advice is to not underestimate retail! Candidates with management experience as retail or assistant retail managers, always stand out from graduates without any relevant experience. More often than not, those that have experience in retail management will be more likely to land a head office role. Retail equips candidates with a degree of practical experience, customer service skills, and importantly – sound references. Retail positions are a great stepping stone into head office roles, and can often lead to extra projects or internal promotions.
Through Internships and work experience, you will secure references that are so valuable to entry-level candidates. It is really important that you keep in touch with referees, and ask their permission when applying for roles. Having a number of references that can directly speak to your skills, experience, and character will help employers and recruiters determine if you’re a good fit for a role. Employers will learn more from referees than they will from your resume, so be sure to establish sound relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and managers.
The basics; here at Frame we scan piles of resumes on a daily basis, and there are a number of things that stand out.
Having a CV that is aesthetically pleasing and organized – we highly recommend using a template, Canva has some great ones. The best way to stand out amongst other resumes is to have a unique design that is still easy to read.
Spelling and grammar are essential. Make sure to read over your CV and get someone else too! there is nothing worse than stating you have “a great eye for detail” when your resume is riddled with grammatical errors.
Check your socials. Future employers and recruiters will check your social profiles. Are you private, or public? And would you be okay with your future boss seeing that Instagram of you last Saturday night? These are key considerations when applying for jobs.
When talking about social media – LinkedIn is a great tool for graduates to express their openness to work, connect with like-minded individuals, and advertise their work experience. LinkedIn is a professional platform, so make sure your profile picture and the content you post is appropriate.
Finally, if you are nearing the end of your studies or seeking part-time work registering with a recruiter is a great way to begin your job hunt. By registering with the Frame database not only will you be made aware of exclusive roles across the country, but our account managers will guide you throughout the entire process. From providing guidance to interview preparation here at Frame we pride ourselves on the personal touch we provide to our candidates. We highly encourage you to register with our database, and keep up to date with our Instagram to get the first glimpse at the latest roles we list. If you’ve seen a role that catches your eye or are just wanting to express your interest, our account managers would love to hear from you. Contact hello@frameretail.co.nz to get started.
Good luck Fashion graduates x
Words by Gabby Terrell.
