Advice from Philadelphia University’s Career Services Office
Q. Are there any secrets to beating the need to have experience when starting out? (i.e. interning, volunteering)
A. We recommend that students complete two internships during their college experience. Internships are a great way to get to know a company, network with key executives and potentially secure a full-time job after graduation. Companies use internship programs to create a pipeline of talent for their full-time positions. Employers today expect that students will have completed an internship during their college years. Employers are looking for well-rounded students who have strong academic records, who are involved in campus activities and who have had work experience in their area of interest. In addition to doing internships, students can gain experience in their fields by volunteering, conducting informational interviews and joining professional organizations. Also, students who have part-time jobs should try to make that experience as substantive and job-related as possible. Students can take initiative on projects, develop key professional skills and network with professionals in the workplace – all of which will result in tangible accomplishments and valuable experience that will bolster their credentials.
Q. What is the biggest mistake graduates make when looking for their first job?
Q. What is the biggest mistake graduates make when looking for their first job?
A. Students should begin their job search at least six to nine months before their expected graduation date. Yet, many students start their job search just before graduation and some even wait until after graduation to begin looking for a job. Keep in mind that companies often have filled their positions by early spring for May graduates. Furthermore, in this economically challenging time, graduates should make efforts to build a professional network to expand and support their job search. For example, students could conduct informational interviews with alumni, join LinkedIn and other professional online networking sites or become a member of a professional organization, all while still in college. Finally, students should make sure they create a strong resume with absolutely no spelling or grammatical errors. Recruiters will not be impressed by a resume filled with spelling errors. So proof-read that resume carefully and then run it through a final spell-check.
Q. In a creative industry, what one thing can a fashion student do in a job-hunt that other industries may not be able to get away with?
Q. In a creative industry, what one thing can a fashion student do in a job-hunt that other industries may not be able to get away with?
A. Fashion students should dress professionally, but also should dress to the brand. Unlike students in more conservative fields, such as business, fashion students should evaluate the style of the company they are visiting before they select an outfit. Fashion design students also can be creative with their resumes, for instance, by changing the format of their resume or adding design elements to the background. Be careful, however, not to sacrifice content for design. The resume should still be very easy to read with concise, but comprehensive, bullet points detailing the student’s expertise and experience.
Career Services At:
A. Fashion students should dress professionally, but also should dress to the brand. Unlike students in more conservative fields, such as business, fashion students should evaluate the style of the company they are visiting before they select an outfit.
ReplyDeleteIt also matters a great deal on the sort of job they're applying for. If you're looking for a pattern making job and you're dressed to the nines with perfectly coiffed hair and immaculate nails, you likely won't be hired :).