How to Ace a Fashion Industry Interview
I’ve been around the block a time or two when it comes to job interviews. However, when I nailed an interview for an internship at a luxury shoe brand in London, I had no idea where to even begin in order to get ready for it. I have no history in the fashion industry, which can be a serious detriment in this field. In addition, I would be an American in a foreign country trying to prove myself as more worthy of the position next to natives of Britain that would have the upper hand of being on their home turf. Even with the odds stacked against me, I not only managed my way through the first interview but also booked a second. In this post, I’ll tell you how to prepare for an interview in the fashion industry even if you have little to no experience to your name so that you can “Wow!” your would-be employers.
Research
This one should be obvious, but the first step to success is delving deep into the recesses of the brand’s history in the industry. The best place to start is the company’s official website, which will almost certainly have an “About us” page. From this information, you can get a greater idea of what the brand is trying to achieve. For instance, the internship I applied for was with a company that prided itself on accentuating the feminine form and appealing to the quintessential woman.
From this, I concluded that they were very pro-fem and all about appealing to every woman no matter their shape, size, creed, or color. I used that info to formulate a series of strong statements in my interview that showed I had done my research. For example, when asked what attracted me to this particular brand, I stated something along the lines of “I was really impressed by the company’s efforts in emphasizing the strength of women in fashion by appealing to not only Goliaths within the industry but also the laywomen.”
You don’t want to give a direct quote from their website but your goal should be to paraphrase their mission in a way that shows you’ve looked into them and support their message without just spewing their own words back to them.
In addition to studying the company itself, look a little deeper into the founders. The brand I applied for had two founders - both American - that had made names for themselves rather quickly within the industry after starting up their shoe company in London. Bearing this in mind, I had a perfect response to the question of “What are your long-term career goals?” My response bordered along the lines of “It’s such an inspiration to see a company founded by two fellow Americans that are thriving in a place that is not native to them. It drives my desire to pursue my goal of working in media - specifically in developing groundbreaking public marketing campaigns - within the fashion industry because I see how far they’ve come and it holds promise that I can do the same.” This response ticks all of the boxes - it incorporates their company, answers the question, and shows how interested I am in the field.
Finally, when doing your research, it may be worthwhile to cite some outside sources, like social media or Google News. I did this for my interview and floored my audience when I referenced a recent collaboration the brand had done with a clothing line just a few days prior. It showed a clear investment of my time in following the brand and set me above the other candidates that may not have done as much research.
Building experience, even if you have none
Even though I didn’t have any formal experience in the fashion industry, I had a fervent fascination with the field as a whole. This drove me to accumulate special knowledge that not even some of the more seasoned fashionistas have. Over the years, I have curated a love for a handful of fashion houses and carefully followed each so that, when I was asked in my interview what other brands I was interested in, I had an in-depth response that included not only the usual big names (Chanel, Versace, Elie Saab) but also smaller names (Ralph & Russo, Delpozo, Ulyana Sergeenko). Sidenote: if you’re looking for a list of some lesser-known high fashion brands, check out the post I made on my personal faves here! This showed a clear investment in the progression and development of these brands as well as a wider breadth of knowledge on both the behemoths in the fashion industry as well as the growing brands with smaller followings.
Although this isn’t a requirement, I also had the upper hand of being a seasoned traveler, including visits to Paris during Paris Fashion Week in January of 2018 for the haute couture releases. I may not have worked any of the shows, but my interest in being in the city to bask in the afterglow again exemplified my intense passion for the field.
And if you can’t make it to Paris, that’s okay! It’s quite an undertaking. Instead, try using your existing experience and boosting its applications so that your current professional accolades show how well you can operate in fashion. For instance, emphasize your history of working as a member of a team to accomplish a common goal or expand on any administrative duties you may have formerly had that could have prepared you for intensive office work. Perhaps the biggest thing your interviewers will be looking for is a tendency to work hard under the pressure of a deadline while maintaining your composure. The fashion industry is fast-paced and you should demonstrate that you will be successful if this company gives you a shot.
Come with good questions
At the conclusion of an interview when the interviewers ask if you have any questions, the answer should never be “No.” You should always prepare a few queries, even if you already know the answers. This shows an interest in both the brand and the position for which you are applying. For example, I asked what it was that attracted the brand to my application. This was a killer question and actually got the interviewers to take a second look at my application in order to answer, which is the desired effect. The more they’re thinking about you, the better your chances at scoring that job/internship.
You could also ask something like “What is your dress code?” or “How do you measure success in the workplace?” Questions like these will show that you’re not only thinking about this position but that you are also genuinely interested in it. You can expect that they’ll ask you all sorts of queries so it’s only natural that you prepare your own!
What questions to expect
While we’re on the topic, let’s discuss what kind of things your interviewers will likely ask. I’ve listed below some of the most common questions you’ll hear from fashion interviews (as well as most normal interviews). In addition, I’ve given a brief description of how to answer each for maximum effect.
Tell me about yourself...
This is probably the most common question asked in any interview. Take this opportunity to emphasize where you are in both your educational and professional career. For instance, I mentioned I was finishing my last semester of my undergrad and, while pursuing my degree, worked in an array of administrative positions that prepared me well for the hustle-bustle of a fast-paced environment. This is not a question about your hobbies or your family so don’t bring any needless information into the conversation.
Why do you want to work in fashion?
You should tailor your response appropriately for this question. I personally chose to say that fashion sets a precedent for social change (body positivity, feminism, etc.). However, maybe that’s not why it appeals to you! Answer in a way that sticks close to the truth - why do you really want to work in fashion? What is it about the field that attracts you?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
It’s best here to try and make your weakness a sort of positive trait rather than an actual fault of yours. For instance, I stated that I am my own harshest critic. This is much better than saying something like “Well, I need to work on my accountability” or “I have trouble getting along with others.” Yikes, don’t say anything like that. Pick an attribute that is not necessarily a flaw but can be seen as a positive in the right light. Another example could be that you like having all of your ducks in a row which drives you to keep everything in order in your workplace. See how I turned a negative into a positive? We shifted the negative energy of being essentially OCD to the positive of being extra driven in staying on top of your work so that nothing goes unaccounted for.
What makes you passionate about the brand?
As stated earlier, this is a question where you want to let your knowledge of the brand shine through. You should do an adequate amount of research and answer appropriately, addressing the brand’s mission.
What experience can you bring to the brand?
This is where you should pull from your existing professional experience, even if it’s not from the fashion industry. Emphasize your strengths as being an effective member of a team as well as being proactive and efficient. These are all great attributes to have.
What are you currently following in the fashion industry?
Perhaps mention any recent collaborations or releases the brand has made to show that you’re keeping tabs on the company and are interested in its development. You could also take this opportunity to expand on your favorite brands and their work that you admire or perhaps address smaller influencers on social media. I personally referenced fashion figures on Instagram that I believed bridged the gap between the layperson and the bigger fashion icons that may appear to be more unapproachable. These smaller influencers open the door to the public for taking a peek into the fashion industry without being overwhelmed by the impossible pressure that accompanies celebrity status.
Who are some of your favorite designers, style icons, etc.?
This is where you should accentuate your knowledge of the industry. I noted my passion for haute couture in my interview and addressed a few fashion houses that inspired me. I also took that time to emphasize public figures that adorned shoes from the brand I was interviewing with. Again, this demonstrates my level of investment in their company and wins me major points in the long run.
What’s exciting to you about the fashion industry?
You could answer this many ways. I chose to note how cyclical fashion is in that every style seems to come back around. For instance, scrunchies were a thing of the past until recently when they made a comeback and can now be seen on celebrities and fashion icons. Another example could be fanny packs - once looked at with scorn but now seen as a staple for Kendall Jenner's wardrobe.
It may seem overwhelming preparing for an interview in a field in which you have no experience, but as long as you emphasize your professional strengths from previous positions and do your research, you’ll do exceptionally well. You’d be shocked at how many people go into their interviews thinking they’ll just wing it and do great but end up bombing when asked these important brand-driven questions. So as long as you invest some time into really studying the company and position you’re applying for, you’ll do great. Happy trails and good luck!