me with my folder en route to a summer interview in NYC

I have my first interviews with [a fashion magazine] and I’m wondering what I should do to prepare or what I should expect. If you could give me any tips for the interview process, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
L

Firstly, congrats on landing the interview! That means your resume was in good form, your communication skills were on point (or mommy & daddy made the right phone calls). Either way, getting face time with boss (or boss’ assistant) is an accomplishment in its own. Not everyone gets an interview.

I would guess that for every 100 resumes you hand out, you may get a call back for 1/2 of them, and called in for even fewer. The number of job offers you get from there depends highly on you (and the market, and your competition).

So now is the time to consider what you will do, wear, & say when you have your foot literally in the door. Interviews are admittedly a bit intimidating because no matter how good you’ve made yourself look on paper, you’ve got to prove it in person. Here is some of the best advice I’ve received and put into practice (Note: Since I started working at 13, I’ve probably been on 50 interviews, wild guess, including schools, work, and internships – and I’m JUST getting comfortable with them.)

• Always bring: Pen, Notebook, 3 Resume copies [1 is for you to read along, 1 for your interviewer, and 1 more in the event of a tag-team interview]
• Have on-hand: 3 Reference copies, Portfolio/Clips (in case you’re asked)
• Dress: Keep it cool. No denim ever – but also no business suits ever. [Follow-up post to come]
• It’s okay to say that you’re a little nervous. [Fantastic advice from my mom. It shows you care, and aren't afraid to admit it.]
  
• Treat the interview as a two-way meeting: you should also be making sure this publication is the right fit for you.
• Ask questions.
• Don’t belittle yourself. Have confidence.
• Do your homework on the publication & staff.

And here are the most common questions I’ve been asked on fashion interviews:

1. Tell me about yourself. [obvious, but can trip you up if you're not prepared]
2. Do you have a copy of your resume/references/clips?
3. Who are your favorite designers?
4. How long have you read our publication?
5. What’s your favorite section of the publication?
6. What other publications do read regularly?
7. What interest you about XYZ publication?
8. What do you think is your biggest fault?
9. Do you have any questions about us? [have questions!]
10. What kind of work did you do at your past jobs? Did you write?

And don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the job or even a call back. I’ve been left high and dry PLENTY – I really do learn from every single interview, and my interview skills climb steadily with every single one. And sometimes, all it takes it one.

There is more to come on interviews (specifically, what to wear) and if you have any questions or your own advice, you know where to leave them.

xo

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Tags:   advice · fashion · internships · interviews · jobs11 Comments