I am a Fashion Design Major. Graduated 2005 *** laude with a 3.75 overall gpa. I've sent about 150 individualized resumes and cover letters and follow up phone calls, yet not one single employer has responded to even acknowledge that I am "alive". These were all job leads from the college job leads web-page. I have been designing free lance for about 20 years and flew through college on nearly straight A's. Yet I cannot get so much as a "face-to-face" interview anywhere.
2006-06-18 04:39:40 · 11 answers · asked by Female Fashion Einstein at 52 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
your combo of experience and now education might be intimidating/threatening to whomever reviews the resumes received..
you may be perceived (on paper) as being 'over-qualified' for entry-level position(s)
you might also be perceived as a "flight risk", who would only be around till something better came along...
if it's possible for you to schedule in-person appointments, to show a sampling of your works, that could help - your own personal sort of 'fashion week', where you hit the bricks and meet and greet...?
but, if you're creative enough and determined enough to go after the educational proof of your experience and talent, why give your gifts to someone else?
start small, with something you love to make/do, and grow your own business..
if you've got someone (say, at college) who could look over your current resume, they might have suggestions on amending/improving that.. resumes can be a tricky thing, always best to have a second or third opinion on their content/appearance
if there's an instructor at the college who has any "ins" with a potential employer ask for a personal recommend
and, perhaps you could go higher-tech, and create a CD presentation... examples of your past work, your course work, some music, something more 'alive' that gives a better idea of who you are... SOMEONE will be curious to see what's on that disk...
tough to break into any profession without some sort of "in" or "edge"...
good luck... that creativity that got you to this point in your life will help you get this into gear
2006-06-18 05:13:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Lot of good advice from your respondents. Take what they say into account. The fashion industry has this thing about youth. If you are over 30 and you aren't a big name or haven't a "line" you are pretty much sunk. Education doesn't seem to be part of the equation. And why should it be, have you really seen some of the trash that is out there classed as "fashion"? Most of the big names over 50 made the cut waaaay back and in some cases are resting on their "laurels" or past successes. Because of all the bias in the fashion industry toward certain "types" I doubt if you will get heard. Check with AARP. They might have attorneys, or link you up with the ACLU. Maybe you could file an age discrimination suit. But good luck with that. It's hard to do. It's easier in the corporate business world to do that. Hard in fashion because it is so subjective about what "fashion" is. If you sent a picture with your resume and you are a full-figured person, I can practically guarantee it was tossed.
Oh have you noticed Yahoo Answers are even on your case. They took the *** out of *** laude because of its sexual connotations in popular slang. Yup, a program is monitoring the site. You are not having a good life at this point. I apologize for all the idiocy out there.
Have you tried to teach classes in fashion Design? That might be an alternative. Not what you want, I know, but it would keep you in the field. Possibly attending conferences and networking and making contacts with people in the fashion industry to get yourself noticed?
2006-06-18 05:02:10 · answer #2 · answered by Ding-Ding 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So what? Lots of people do things like that. I'm not impressed. In fact, going to Harvard is a minus in my book. Most people who go there think they're better than other people. It makes them snotty elitists. How come he's never released any of his grades from any of these fancy dancy schools he went to? He also never wrote any articles for the Law Review. Was he lazy, not a good writer, or didn't want to leave a paper trail???? Where's his thesis? He never published anything in all his years as a law professor. WHY NOT???? Didn't he have any ideas? Some of his students said he was a pretty bad teacher. Why hasn't the media interviewed any of them???? McCain has released EVERYTHING. Obama has released NOTHING. Of course, the media hasn't asked. They don't want to find out, do they. They are much more interested in destroying Sarah Palin. Harvard is just another school. Obama is a blank. I'm not buying a pig in a poke. He's hiding something. What???
2016-05-20 00:20:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might need to look over & revise your resume. There may be a red flag there somewhere you didn't notice. I know even typos are bad as it is supposed to show that you didn't take care & detail.
Use follow up phone calls but do not hound. It would be better to actually stop in & ask if so & so is available & ask them if they have had a chance to look at it yet. This way they get to see you face.
Definately apply for a specific open position, not just in general. Call and find out anonomously who is in charge of the hiring for that position & mark the resume to their attention. Make a nice cover letter explaining specifically to Mr. Smith the personel director that you are applying for this certain postion and why you would be a good choice. Be brief!
And last but not least, I would imagine a fashion designer would have a portfolio of their work. Include it, don't wait for them to ask for it.
2006-06-18 04:58:30 · answer #4 · answered by Cyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure you know it's a very competitive world out there. First, take a look at your resume. Is it as professional in appearance as possible? Because if there's even one typo it will most likely be tossed. If you believe that you're good or great at what you do and have all of the experience that you have, maybe it's time to start your own company. You have been freelancing...kick it up a notch! The world is your oyster.
2006-06-18 04:53:14 · answer #5 · answered by lizzielynnlynch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You resume must be Short, sweet, factual, and to the point.
ONLY the Facts, Mamm.
No opinions, no bragging, nothing.
Make it DRY as a bone.
You Coverletter can be what catches their EYE..
Keep it positive and exciting.
To the point and make a different cover letter which Matches the jobe you are applying for.
No two cover letters are alike
Get it
2006-06-18 05:06:05 · answer #6 · answered by Answerman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would hop over to lane bryant or Torrid. Unfortunately, age is a factor, so why not consider the mature woman for fashion designing.
2006-06-18 05:12:57 · answer #7 · answered by paulie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps your resume just doesn't catch their interest. Could you have your college placement office help you to see if it could be improved. Other than that, I would try to see if I could find an internship, if I were you, and hopefully that will get your foot in the door.
Good luck!
2006-06-18 04:58:38 · answer #8 · answered by Mama Pastafarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you can contact your "customers" for whom you were working free lance. They say it's not what you know but who you know. Consider offering to design for a well known person in your community for a reference. Consider contacting your newspaper about your craft. Perhaps there is a space for you in their "Lifestye" section. Any free advertising would be a plus to your resume.
2006-06-18 04:48:05 · answer #9 · answered by meagain2238 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry to hear that, maybe consider staying freelance, or working in an internship position, then you will have some experience working at a firm.
2006-06-18 04:44:28 · answer #10 · answered by lily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋