How Having a Mentor Can Guide Your Path to Success Having a professional mentor can be so helpful as you figure out what career path to go down in the fashion industry. Mentors can teach you essential skills in the workplace that general textbooks and articles can’t provide. Many people struggle to find a great professional mentor. A mentor can be anyone that takes you under their wing and provides valuable advice that can be applied to your development in your career or even your general lifestyle. A professional mentor is someone who you can utilize as a role model to shape your skills and talents. You don’t pick a mentor, and you don’t seek a mentor out—but, rather, the person who happens to be your mentor is someone who naturally got there. Below we have given some examples of designers who have stressed the immense influence their professional mentors have had on their success in the fashion industry. “My mentor is Candy Pratts Price. She offered me my first job and she has always been so inspirational.” –Tory Burch “Years pass very quickly…when you start you have mentors…mine were Diana Vreeland and Marvin Traub! Then you grow older and you can share your experiences…I have mentored many people, recently Alexander Wang!”-Diane Von Furstenberg “I grew up fast in fashion when I became head designer at Anne Klein after just a few years there. Anne taught me to always be prepared and be open to change. ‘We must be present at the moment,’ are the words I carry with me.”-Donna Karan Remember, finding a great professional mentor is a natural process that happens over time. As the protégé, it’s important to be constantly observant and present in the workplace so that you can pick up on methods, strategies and techniques that will help you succeed. Our recruiters are always happy to talk to you about your career path and help you find your next great opportunity. Head over to our jobs page to see current job opportunities and contact our recruiters today! Also, like our Facebook page for updates fashion news, tips and trends and current job listings.
Transforming a Small Business into a Fashion Empire: Tips for Career Success! *Source: www.nastygal.com*Source: www.forbes.com Nasty Gal’s Sophia Amoruso is a powerhouse in the fashion industry. She successfully turned her small E-Bay business into a vintage clothing empire that is now worth approximately $250 million and is growing rapidly. Amoruso began Nasty Gal after having her booming E-Bay business for over two years. Below we have compiled some of our favorite quotes from Amoruso that lay out her path to success in the fashion industry. “It’s the beauty of the Web,” she says. “You can pretend to be anything you want. But people figure out pretty quick if you don’t live up to it.” “It took me years to realize that I could take this as far as I have.” “It’s been very charmed, but I’m not willing to rest on my laurels,” she said. “It’s only going to get harder to keep building from here.” Amoruso’s passion and drive is nothing short of inspiring. After reading about Amoruso’s incredible success, jobseekers can absorb some key career points and implement them as they take the next step in their career. She stressed how important it is to take things one day at a time in order to achieve your goals She mentioned how beneficial following basic business principles and not sitting on your laurels is to success in the fashion industry She also stated how imperative it is to be who you are and not to pretend to be anyone else, as that will get you in trouble – not only in your career, but also in your personal life, as well We hope some of these career points are helpful for developing skills and a positive mindset during your job search. For more fashion news, tips and trends and job opportunities, head over to our Facebook page, and “like” us today!
StyleCareers Fair in Los Angeles! We had so much fun meeting new candidates yesterday at the StyleCareers Fair at the California Market Center! Highly talented and exceptionally driven individuals stepped up to our table with hopes of making strong connections in the fashion industry. We were so pleased to meet these spectacular candidates and look forward to developing long lasting professional relationships with them. Below are some testimonials we gathered from some of our outstanding candidates! “My experience working with fourthFLOOR was great! They are very open-minded, helpful, and fantastic communicators!”-Linda “The recruiter I worked with was proactive and reached out to me. It was great!”-Jon-Paul “You guys always get back to me so quickly! You never leave me hanging!” –Patricia “The recruiter I met with was very responsive and wonderful to work with!”-Meghan Also, check out some photos we snapped yesterday at the Fair and be sure to “like” our Facebook page today!
Three Tips on How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search Social media has proven to be an essential tool for opening doors to job opportunities in the fashion industry. A common misconception is that you have to be on every social media site in order to be successful in your job search. Rather than spreading your search across every social media platform, be strategic. Think about the types of organizations that you’re interested in working with and what type of people you want to work with. Once you narrow that down, figure out which social media platforms they are using and focus on those. It will make your job search more efficient and constructive. Below are three tips on how to effectively implement social media into your job search today! 1) Do Your Research and Observe: Soak in and research as much as you can about various companies and positions so that you are well educated about what is available and what you can bring to the table at a future job. Being up to speed on social media and what is being posted on a daily basis will keep you well informed so that you can shine during interviews and networking events. Also, if you’re just starting out, observing and reading up on social media will help you to pick up on industry keywords so that you can implement these words when needed. 2) Build a Professional Profile: Most future employers will look up a potential employee on Linked In or Google before or after an interview. It is important to have a professional profile that displays current and relevant information about your accomplishments, talents, past experiences and work ethic. 3) Be Conscious of What You are Posting: This may seem obvious, but many people make the mistake of posting information that doesn’t positively reflect their character or work ethic. Instead, use social media to share information that is thought-provoking and relevant to what is going on in the world. Also, if you are part of a group on Linked In, post thoughtful questions and respond accordingly. You don’t have to contribute and be active all the time, but participating every once in awhile can help you to meet people, demonstrate your dedication to your field, and impact your job search as a whole. Head over to our website for an updated list of current job opportunities! Also, like our Facebook page today!
Preserving the Legacy of Cristobal Balenciaga Cristobal Balenciaga is a legend in the fashion industry as he was the founder and creator of the elegant and classic French Fashion House, Balenciaga. His legacy lives on whether the brand is being showcased at Paris Fashion Week, draped on top style icons in the fashion industry or being featured in the pages of leading fashion publications such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, Balenciaga is a powerhouse and the epitome of timeless beauty. In 1968, at the age of 74, and after 30 years of working in Paris, Balenciaga closed the doors of his Fashion House. Many people viewed this as nothing short of a tragedy and simply an end of an era in fashion. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art recently opened a fascinating exhibit that displays Cristobal Balenciaga’s preserved archive of clothes, textiles and various inspirations such as fabric swatches and paper clippings. The items on display reflect the deep cultural and historical influences and passion Balenciaga had for his Spanish heritage. Alexander Wang, the remarkably talented 28-year-old designer, recently took the reins of the brand as Creative Director in hopes of continuing the iconic legacy of Balenciaga. Take a look below at some photos from this breathtaking exhibit!
How to Walk Into an Interview with a Dynamic Fashion Portfolio! A fashion portfolio is a visual representation of your design skills and is a required tool when applying for a design job. As a designer, your aesthetic speaks to your talents, and it’s better to show not tell. A portfolio should be comprised of concept, inspiration and execution with not only your hand illustrations, but your computer and technical renderings as well. We have compiled some frequently asked questions regarding what to include in your fashion portfolio and have answered them accordingly. 1) How many pieces of work should I include? There is no set number on how many pieces of work you should include, but make sure to include your best renderings and more importantly, tell a story. A portfolio should tell the interviewer that you know how to make a garment come to life. 2) Should I include examples from my sketchbook? It is not necessary to include examples from your sketchbook in your formal portfolio, but bringing a book of rough sketches or croquis is an added asset for an interview. 3) What type of portfolio case should I use? Your portfolio can take the shape of many different things, and any sized, formally-bound book is appropriate. What is most important to remember is that you want your portfolio to look as clean, tidy, neat and professional as possible. 4) Should I include my resume in my portfolio? Absolutely! As important as it is to have a visual representation of your work, having a one-page, clean, written list of your experience in the fashion industry is key. 5) What exactly is a mood board and what should I include in it? A mood board is an inspiration board and should include magazine clippings, fabric swatches, colors, patterns, art or anything that represents your inspiration. Mood boards are used on the job and are NOT required to be in your portfolio. However, concept/inspiration or mood should be included in your comprehensive portfolio as the start of your “story.” We hope this information is useful when compiling your fashion portfolio. Always remember to keep your target audience and employers in mind as you develop your portfolio. Check out our current job opportunities and contact our recruiters today! Also, “like” our Facebook page for updated fashion news and job openings!
5 Ways to Make 2013 Your Best Year Yet! We all want to be successful and thrive in the career of our dreams, but sometimes thinking about how to get there can be overwhelming and intimidating. We have put together five essential tips to help you move forward in your career path and make 2013 your most successful year yet in your job! 1) Focus more on the positive than the negative: It’s easy to beat yourself up about various mistakes or misjudgments you’ve made at work. Instead, try focusing your energy on the improvements that you can make to strengthen your performance at work. It’s also important to acknowledge your accomplishments and not dwell on your past mistakes. 2) Go above and beyond: When asked to perform a task at work, give it your all and get the job done in the most effective and organized way possible. This will reflect well on your work ethic and how your fellow co-workers and boss perceive your work. 3) Broaden your skills: It’s always important to be up to speed on emerging technology and programs that are being implemented in your workplace. Take seminars, read up on how to operate these programs and stay on top of these new additions. 4) Accept challenges thrown your way: Sometimes you are asked to perform tasks that you find extremely challenging and can cause you to freeze up. Instead, take that bold step and do the best that you can to demonstrate your talents and show that you are up for the challenge! 5) Stay organized and write down your priorities: Staying organized at work reduces stress levels and prepares you for whatever is thrown your way. Make a list in the morning of your priorities and goals for the day so that you can feel confident in the work you produce. Put your best foot forward and make 2013 your best year yet! Head over to our home page to see updated freelance and full time opportunities!
Put Your Best Foot Forward! 3 Tips For Jobseekers At fourthFLOOR Fashion, when we send candidates for interviews, we make sure that every one of them is set up for success. Below are tips from our recruiters on how to improve your resume, prepare for an interview and put your best foot forward. Strengthen your resume: Having a presentable, impressive, and concise resume is extremely important. Here are some things that you can do to strengthen your resume: Use professional language to describe your previous positions. Highlight your accomplishments. Keep your skills sharp and keep your resume up-to-date! Know your resume inside and out. Be prepared to cite specific examples for each bullet point. Prepare, prepare, then prepare some more: The more you prepare ahead of time, the more confident you will feel on the day of the interview. Here are some ways that you can prepare for your interview: Research the company by using the company website, LinkedIn, and their social media outlets. Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company. Show that you’re up for the challenge: You don’t just want to prove that you are ready to nail the interview –you want to be able to show what you can bring to this company and how you can start helping their business – today. Here are some ways that you can prove that you are ready to work: Bring a notepad and pen with you into the interview. Arrive at least five minutes early to the interview. The night before, make sure that you know exactly where the interview is located. Send a hand-written Thank You Note to thank the interviewer for their time. We hope this insight was informative and helpful. To view fourthFLOOR fashion talent’s most recent career opportunities and get in touch with one of our recruiters, contact us today!
Have A Stylish Halloween Happy Halloween! Show off your style expertise by taking cues from one of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities this Halloween. Check out these photos from Tim Burton’s dark yet whimsical photo shoot in Harpers Bazaar, which features a new twist on the holiday with some of the year’s best designer pieces. Inspired by icons ranging from Edward Scissorhands to Santa Claus, Burton’s re-imagining of current fashion trends offers an intriguing way to create an original and stylish Halloween look. So this year, treat everyone to your uniquely fashionable Halloween costume! *Photo Credit: Tim Walker
