farpitzs.

marshemily asked:

i just tweeted you and since i saw that today is answer questions tuesday, i realized i have a question. i graduated with a degree in pr and really want to get into fashion/beauty pr but am working a job for the money. i've been applying to jobs and have been trying to network into the fashion industry and have had no luck. do you have any suggestions? i've also had my eye on some summer classes at parsons for fashion classes, would that give me a boost to land my dream job?

hello! first, congratulations on your recent graduation! second, ain’t no shame in “working a job for the money.” third, i know you’re not alone in encountering hurdles when it comes to networking in a new industry. i don’t necessarily think that taking more classes is the way to go. much of what you’ll learn in these particular fields are better learned hands-on than in a lecture hall. i hope my suggestions help you:

seek out leaders in your desired field. i think this is a no-brainer. we all “dream mentors,” so why not make them a reality? tweet at them, see if you can snag an email, and shoot the shit a little bit. it never hurts to make a new friend.
inquire about informational interviews. think of this as a continuation of the point above. how do you know that you want to work in beauty or fashion? a hobby may not be ideal as an occupation, so it is important to ask as many questions about your future as possible to the people who know it best.
become well-informed. i don’t just mean reading respected industry publications, which is imperative; this also relates to keeping tabs on relevant job openings posted on mediabistro, fashionista, ed2010, and wwd (buy a subscription!). if you’re among the first to know, you’ll be among the first to apply.
do your research before applying. duh. this is extremely applicable when writing a cover letter. employers want to know that you know about their company and why it makes you so excited to apply for their opening.
have an on-point resume. be short, sweet, and organized and make sure all of your work experience is up-to-date and relevant for the position. if something needs more explanation, save it for the interview. also, if you are applying for an entry-level position, your resume should not be longer than 1 page.
attend industry events. if you have friends in relevant occupations, see if you can tag along to a party. the best sort of networking is done in-person because it gives you the perfect opportunity to show off your awesome personality!

also? remember to stay focused—this applies to whatever you’re doing. pay attention to details like name spelling, appropriate punctuation, and always be polite because you never know who you’ll meet, both online and off. good luck!