Seeking advice in regard to landing a job after recently graduating after constant rejection.
I have recently graduated from LCF and am seeking an industry job in pattern cutting, however, am yet to successfully land an industry role. Do you have any advice on applying to roles, gaining interviews and getting myself out into the industry?
Replies12
- Keep knowing what you good at and what you can grant the client. You wanna make sure you're the STAR in their eyes.
- @Gabriela Garcia-Lopez Hi Gabriela. If the event is in person go through the attendee list and identify the people you would like to meet. At the event, get their card or contact details and arrange a meeting outside of the event. This way you can explore ways of working together.
- @Gabriela Garcia-Lopez Hi Gabriela, Apolgies for the delay - Yes of course. it is a bit the idea of being at the right place at the righ moment that will inadvertently create you luck, for example my first ever pay job is after I did ilegaly some street art on a famous fashion shop and the owner find me to ask me to comeback to do it properly and pay, Then I got a gig to be a simple painter in a shop like John Lewis, after a few week a shown a few of my work to some of the manager and they promoted me to merchandiser design. A few years letter in South Africa I went to all the trending shops to see if any one would let be redesign they website design after a lot of no, one say yes and it led me to meet designer from a digital agency that gave me junior job badly payed but I worked for brand like Max Mara and Hilton that gave me a stunning portflio foer my next steps. I hope that help. Kindly
- @ɐɹoᗡ ɐuu∀ ˥ Thank you for your advice, its great to hear some perspective on timescale and number of applications, as it is a tough industry and its reasuring to know that my situation is normal. Especially with those around me who aren't in the industry and expect it to be easy and fast.
- Hello Gabriela,To give some perspective the average time to get your first job in the creative industry is after half year of search and hunder of applications. So I know it is a draining experience but you have the understand what you go through is not uncommon.Secondly the others gave some good advice on how to get hired so I just why you want to get hired? When I started to hunt for a job after uni I just couldn't get a job. Had like 50 interviews and it all was like 'we love your work but...' and so that's how I started freelancing what is honestly one of the best thing happened with me. It's might not for you forever but it definitely helps you keep up the light till you find a full time job and it's way easier to get.Also one more thing to both freelance and perm jobs try to find some recruitment agencies in your field as London they have a huge role in hiring.
- @Vikki Ross Thank you for your reply Vikki, do you suggest contacting hr emails or actual managers of the desired position in the brand?
- @Hadrien Chatelet Thanks for your advice Hadrien, I hadn't yet considered entering a brand through another role. Have you done this yourself? Did you successfully transfer into your desired position?
- @Tony Mulvahil Thanks for your reply Tony, physical networking is a great suggestion, I have previously looked for and attended fashion careers fair type events but do you mean more general fashion events? If so can you give some examples?
- @Louisa // SOLA so true that defining your goal and visualising it is a great way to focus your energy. Graduates who can say why they want to do something will stand out.I found it demoralising to submit job applications that didn't send back a response.So I'd like to add a list item of physical networking. The Dots is great for building up online contacts but check to see if there are events you can get to meet people. Don't just ask for a card and hope they call you. Ask to meet them for a cup of coffee to get to know them better. You can always ask them if there is anyone else they know who might have a role for you.Good luck.
- Hi Gabriela, I personaly never finished any of my school/university and here is how I was able to get some work and build a successful career in the creative industry, First you need to show your work in any way possible, find some internship, offer to do free work, do some personal project and promote them on social, ( I personaly where doing some street art) this way you will be building a better and stronger portfolio. Then, don't be scared to go by the back door, because when you are in a big agency you can climb up fast - what do I mean by that, find the company you dream to work for and see any way you can work for then. I hope that will help. Kindly
- Hey Gabriela, have you tried contacting the people you want to work with directly? Building relationships can be better than applying for jobs via job ads or recruiters. Look up who you like on LinkedIn to find their email address then start a conversation with them. You never know who you might contact just as they're looking for someone like you. Or you'll at least make a connection who may come back to you another time down the line.Good luck!
- Hi Gabriela,Coach perspective here:- Notice how it's only been a few months! Decide how willing you are to keep looking and pushing to make it happen? 6 months? A year? Committing to make it happen no matter what will give you fuel to keep going. Future you has done it. What advice do they have for you?- Answer your own question and see what you already know:What are ALL the ways you can think of right now to increase your chances?List as many as you can (like, 50-100) then go do them, diligently, one by one. Take care of the bit you can control, and trust it will pay off.- Evaluate : what were the exact reasons for each rejection that you are aware of. Not sure? Contact them and ask for feedback.You've got this.Feel free to post answers here and use this as accountabilityX
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