Have you ever sent in what you believed to be a killer resume for a job opening, or walked out of an interview thinking that you absolutely nailed it, only to never hear back from the prospective employer? If so, then you may be guilty of one of the following faux pas that various employers have identified as common amongst job seekers.
What’s a common mistake applicants make?
Sarah Anderson from Aritzia in Vancouver:
They focus on the wrong things. I want them to tell me about themselves, who they are, and what they are passionate about. Instead, they often try to focus on what makes them an ideal candidate. The interview should feel natural – like a conversation! The last thing I want a candidate to do is tell me what they think I want to hear.
Sebastian Ramirez from Alexander Nash in NYC
I recently received an application from a candidate who described himself as a “fashion protégé”. Confidence is good, but egos are a dime a dozen and they denote that you may be a person who doesn’t follow instructions well. After all, I’m not a “fashion protégé” so why would you listen to me?
Sarah Cumming from 3×1 in New York:
Not doing their homework about the company. Read everything you can find before walking in the door for your interview. Be prepared to have an awesome answer to “so, what do you know about our company?” Don’t just say “I loved your last collection,” unless you’re a designer. Try and investigate what makes the company’s operations unique – where they source their materials, find their recent press, follow them on social media to get a real sense of what they’re doing, and try to think about what the company might be challenged with internally. That’s why they’re hiring for the position!
Jordana Scarapicchia from Le Chateau in Montreal:
Often, candidates forget to proofread their resumes before submitting them. As a result, we often see spelling/grammatical errors, and incorrect dates. Most candidates work with a resume template and then make modifications to their resume based on which employer they are submitting their application to. Many times, candidates forget to make these modifications and leave other employers’ information on their resume. Candidates are so worried about the content of their cover letters and resumes that they often forget to include their basic information, such as their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
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By: Anna Zhao
Are you an employer? Post your fashion job here.
Are you a job seeker? Find fashion jobs here.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for the latest fashion jobs, career advice and fashion trends!