The fashion and textile industry is a giant within Australia, contributing over $27 billion dollars to the economy each year and employing more than 489,000 people.
But how do you break into such a widespread, powerful and competitive field? It can be intimidating to know where to look for industry jobs, how to make yourself stand out among other applicants, and how to increase your chances of thriving in the career of your dreams.
At Collarts, setting up our graduates for career success is one of our highest priorities, which is why 82% of Collarts students find jobs shortly after graduation.
So, with the help of Head of Fashion Marketing, Debbie Pratt, we’re sharing our top tips on how to impress potential employers in the fashion industry.
Before you even open that resume template, there are plenty of ways to give your job applications a head start. Think of this as your go-to checklist for standing out from the crowd.
Fashion never stands still. It’s an ever-changing world filled with fresh ideas and emerging roles. Beyond design, there are endless opportunities to break into the industry and find a path that fits your unique skills and passions.
“With the rise in online shopping and social media, there are currently a wide range of roles available in digital marketing, E-Commerce and social media roles,” says Debbie. “There are also quite a few buying and planning roles listed right now in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne.”
Debbie emphasises the importance of having a wide range of industry-relevant skills when pursuing jobs in fashion.
‘Hard’ skills are things that are vital to working in fashion, and have some level of industry specificity. Such as:
‘Soft’ skills refer to broader strengths that will support your ability to thrive throughout your career and make you a valuable member of any team or organisation. Think:
Building up a strong collection of both hard and soft skills is the first step towards becoming an industry powerhouse, as well as a valuable and versatile asset wherever your career takes you.
Having hands-on industry experience on your resume is one of the most effective ways to impress potential employers. It shows that you understand how the industry operates, can work hard with your boots on the ground, and can take the initiative to pursue learning opportunities.
Before you graduate, take any opportunity you can to gain experience – particularly through internship placements or by volunteering at industry events like Melbourne Fashion Week.
All students in our Fashion Marketing and Fashion & Sustainability courses complete an internship in their final year of study, and many of these placements have led to fantastic career opportunities once those students graduated.
Effective networking is basically a superpower when it comes to building your career. While it can be scary to put yourself out there and connect with industry professionals, building a strong network is the number one piece of advice we can give you.
Debbie secured her first role in the industry as an Assistant Designer only after contacting a huge range of companies and putting her name on their radars. She called, sent letters, and refused to give up until someone gave her a shot. “After that, I secured the majority of my roles in the industry through my network.”
While studying, take advantage of your school’s established network by:
Collarts prides itself on its strong connections and partnerships with the creative industries, because it allows us to build bridges between our students and their dream careers.
LinkedIn is also a fantastic platform for establishing and maintaining your professional network. Follow industry professionals, companies and brands you admire, and use your own profile as a tool to get their attention.
Study fashion at Collarts on campus or 100% online and gain the skills, connections and confidence to make your mark in the industry.