Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Schools Out! ...Now What?

School’s Out! ...Now What?
How to Find a Job in Fashion
It may seem like a long way off right now, but before you know it the school year will be over and suddenly it will be April. Some of us will be graduating, others taking the summer off in preparation for another school year, but many of us may be left wondering, “Now what?” The prospect of finding a job in the fashion industry can be intimidating. You may not know where to look for jobs or what jobs are right for you. The pressures to find a job can be overwhelming. However, given the right resources, finding a job in the fashion industry does not have to be as daunting a task as it seems. Read on for tips on how to prepare and where to look for fashion jobs in Toronto.

Research... One of the most helpful things to do before you start to look for a job is to get an idea of what is out there. Think of what areas of work interest you and then research companies that specialize in these areas. For example, if you are interested in event planning or PR, look up recent events that have happened in Toronto and find out who was involved. Research those companies to get an idea of what they do, and what kind of positions might interest you. Even if they do not have any jobs available, you will understand more about the market you want to enter.

Resumes... It is important to have an up-to-date, organized resume. Start out with a basic resume that indicates your objectives, a profile, and education and work experience. Once this is compiled, have someone with experience check it over for you. This may be a friend, a contact in the industry, or someone at the George Brown Career Centre. A second opinion can help you tidy it up, reword, and make it more professional. After you have a basic resume completed, you can begin to tailor it to match the job descriptions you are applying for.

Networking... By now everyone knows the value of networking when searching for a job, but this tool can often get overlooked. Sometimes shyness or not knowing where to look can get in the way of putting networking to use on the job search. But for students starting out, networking can include things like staying in touch with your classmates and exchanging job information. Stay in contact with teachers, and make use of events and courses at the George Brown Career Centre. Take another internship with an interesting company. Networking is about meeting people and learning about different resources, and it can even be fun if you have the right attitude about it.

Resources In Toronto... Here are some resources to have at your finger tips when looking for a job in Fashion:
http://gbcareers.georgebrown.ca/home.htm - GBCareers provides access job listings to match your search, manages resumes and cover letters, information about job fairs and events.

http://torontojobs.ca
-Search for jobs online, attend events in your area, find detailed information about recruiters, interview advice and networking.

http://www.linkedin.com - Online networking site that allows the user to connect with contacts in the industry, stay in touch, and gain information about opportunities.

http://www.fashionincubator.com
- Stay informed about the local fashion industry, and find helpful information in its resources sections, such as a fashion search engine and fashion placement agencies.

http://canadianreatil.com -Search engine listing hundreds of job opportunities with Canadian retailers, from accounting, to buying, to store management positions.

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