Graduate Fashion Job Opportunities
Graduate Fashion Job Opportunities
The fashion and textile industry have always recruited top graduate talent into fashion jobs. However, fashion recruitment is much broader than these two areas, with many more fashion job opportunities in other disciplines.
Fashion jobs in the UK fall into four categories:
Product Design and Development: The creative types who design create clothing and products.
Management: The business brains of the industry.
Technology: Jobs with expertise to support the design and production processes.
Related careers: Specialists from other areas of employment such as journalism and teaching.
What can I expect from a job in the fashion industry?
Fashion jobs are diverse and varied - from photographers, to product buyers, to lingerie designers. As in other creative disciplines, competition for certain jobs is high with a small number of highly desirable and over-subscribed positions available. Working environments and cultures differ hugely across different roles, and many jobs in fashion have scope to work on a freelance basis.
Compared to other entry-level graduate positions in different industries, pay in the fashion industry is low until experience has been gained after a few years. Graduates in their first job in fashion can expect to work long hours in some roles, though there are many jobs that will work standard office hours. Career progression in fashion can involve a lot of networking, especially for freelance creatives.
How do I get a fashion job?
Work experience is an excellent first step towards a fashion job, and for many careers it is vital in order to make initial contacts. Graduates who have completed a fashion-related course will usually have undertaken work placements as part of the course. This is an opportunity that must be seized to gain knowledge of the business, commercial awareness and industry expertise to impress at future interviews.
University careers services can be useful resources, along with professional industry bodies and the trade media. Networking events are extremely helpful – networking skills will be invaluable for career progression, so begin early to become comfortable in the practice.
Some fashion jobs will require a portfolio of creative work – from photography, to textile and garment designs. A specifically-tailored CV is vital for each role you apply for, clearly outlining your skills, achievements and other relevant qualifications.
Where might I work in fashion?
The fashion and textile industry is located nationwide throughout the UK, though with certain specialities in specific areas. This is often for historic reasons, for example clothing companies have a heritage link to the textile producing areas of the North West and the Scottish Borders, along with London.
London is the focus for some key areas of the fashion industry, including the media and the head offices of major international retailers. In addition, the branches of large retailers and smaller businesses have a strong presence in major towns and cities throughout the UK.
Are you a recent graduate with a job in the fashion industry?
Where do you work and what do you do?
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