Fashion and Retail Careers

The fashion and retail industries are associated with the creation, design, promotion and distribution of apparel and other merchandise to the general public.

Companies in the fashion industry usually hire on an “as needed” basis. But many major companies offer rotational and internship programs that will allow you to develop the skills and exposure necessary to start a career.

Information Gathering

If you are interested in fashion or retail, you should follow that industry closely. Read trade magazines, newsletters, and popular fashion websites. Join relevant email lists. Follow industry insiders on social media. Research the types of positions that are available in those fields. Vault, available free to Georgetown students, is a good place to start your search. Company websites, O*NET, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook are equally helpful resources.

Select Resources

National Retail Federation (NRF) — NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association and an excellent place to look for jobs.
Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) — Often called the fashion bible, WWD is a leading authority for news and trends in the worlds of fashion, beauty and retail.
StyleCareers – Online since 2001, StyleCareers.com is the largest, fashion-only job listing site on the Internet.
Business of Fashion (BoF) — BoF is a daily resource for industry insiders that bridges the gap between fashion as a business and fashion as a creative industry.
Fashionista — Fashionista publishes results from their annual fashion industry salary survey and is a source of fashion news, criticism and career advice.
Style Portfolio —The premier online portfolio resource for the fashion-related industries

Making Connections

Go to employer information sessions, industry events—on and off-campus—and connect with the local chapter of popular professional organizations. Professional associations host a variety of professional development, educational and networking events. If the cost of membership is prohibitive, contact leadership and ask if there are sliding scale prices for students. Volunteering for a conference, educational, or social event is another great way to connect with leaders in the industry.

Develop a LinkedIn profile that communicates your personal and professional brand. Joining groups related to your industry is a great way to meet new people, find mentors, contacts, and ask questions. Reach out to alumni through Hoya Gateway and the alumni section of Georgetown’s LinkedIn page. The Cawley website provides helpful guidelines on networking and informational interviewing.

Making Connections at Georgetown

Joining a school club is a good way to learn more about the industry, develop your skills, and get hands-on experience. Check out Diamanté, The Georgetown Retail & Luxury Association, and the Georgetown Marketing Association.

On and off-campus jobs are another excellent way to build skills valued by employers. According to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the following are key attributes employers seek in new hires — all qualities Georgetown students have in abundance:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Communication skills (written)
  • Leadership
  • Strong work ethic
  • Analytical/quantitative skills
  • Communication skills (verbal)
  • Initiative
  • Detail-oriented
  • Flexibility/adaptability

Preparing Your Application Materials

To better understand what skills to highlight on your resume, check out internships, fellowships, and entry-level positions in fashion. Style Careers, The National Retail Federation’s job board, Indeed, and employer websites are great places to research industry opportunities.

Your resume should be one page. Use strong action verbs and focus on your skills and accomplishments to show (not just tell) an employer that you have the required abilities. See our resume formatting guide for more tips and advice.

Be thoughtful and concise when writing cover letters. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and abilities.

The purpose of a cover letter is to convince someone to interview you. For more on cover letters, see our cover letter tips.

In the creative industries, you may be required to have a portfolio or “book” of your best work or a website that doubles as your portfolio. You may also need to have a visual resume, either as a supplement to your traditional resume or instead of it. Be sure to research the application requirements in your industry. Free virtual tools for designing a portfolio include WIX, Behance and Crevado.

Applying

Internships enable you to gain valuable professional experience prior to graduation.

If you are having a difficult time finding a full-time job after graduation you may want to consider a post-graduation internship or fellowship, which is common in these industries, and often leads to full-time employment.

Select Employers and Internships