The conversation at the latest Style Nine to Five’s Office Hours inside our Fashion Career Insider Membership (where fashion job seekers meet with Founder, Christie Lohr, to get answers to their career questions) was heavily focused on LinkedIn, specifically on how to optimize your profile when looking for a new job in the fashion industry. We listened in, and we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what Christie had to say.
LinkedIn is where hiring managers and recruiters zero in on your profile to make a fast decision on whether or not you’re the right candidate for a job. A strong profile can help you get discovered, communicate your experience quickly, and give recruiters a reason to take the next step. A weak one can cross your name off a hiring manager’s candidate list within seconds. “Sometimes I don’t even ask for a resume anymore. I go straight to your LinkedIn profile,” Christie says, highlighting the importance of putting in the effort to get it right.
Fortunately, creating a great LinkedIn profile isn’t hard; even a couple of small updates can make all the difference in optimizing your LinkedIn profile and making it work harder for your job search.
Rewrite Your Headline for the Job You Want
One of the biggest LinkedIn mistakes that Christie sees is using a professional title or headline that’s all over the map or too varied. Yes, it’s great to have diverse skills, but your LinkedIn headline has a big job to do, and it needs to be more focused.
“Let’s say you have experience in apparel merchandising, buying, production, and fashion marketing. Those are all very different roles,” Christie says. “If I’m hiring a buyer, I don’t want to see on your professional title that you’re also a merchandiser, product developer, and marketing specialist. You have to pick one. Sometimes I see a headline with five different things listed, and that just confuses hiring managers and shows a bit of a lack of focus. Even if you are great at those things, for the next 30 days, be selective and strategic and pick one. What do you actually want to do? You’re picking that for the next 30 days, and that’s going to be your professional title on LinkedIn.”
The goal is to make your desired career direction obvious. Look at several job descriptions for the type of position you want. What skills, specialties, and keywords appear repeatedly? Incorporate relevant terms into your headline, which helps recruiters understand where you fit when they find your profile through a search.
Rethink Your Banner Image
Aesthetic-wise, most people focus on their headshot, but your LinkedIn banner is valuable real estate, and many job seekers leave it generic. Instead, use your banner to create a cohesive visual identity that speaks to the kind of job you want, without going overboard.
“If you haven’t been getting interviews, try switching up your LinkedIn banner image, almost like doing an A/B test to compare your success before and after,” Christie says. “Even when you’re applying to fashion roles, it’s not all about having a super trendy fashion LinkedIn banner image. I would pick a neutral colour over a really trendy photo so that you can appeal to more brands. If you go with a really niche image, you might turn off hiring managers whose brand aesthetic or customer isn’t a match. You don’t want to give the impression that you don’t understand their customer before you even have a chance to prove yourself.”
The Bottom Line
Leveling up your LinkedIn profile is your chance to build a professional brand, show your expertise, and make your career goals clear. The key is consistency. Your profile photo, banner, headline, portfolio, and other sections should feel like they belong to the same person. Fashion recruiters and hiring managers want to be able to look at a candidate’s profile and understand relatively quickly what they do, what they’re good at, and where they could fit within the industry.
Want to get in on the next Style Nine to Five Office Hours? Sign up to our Fashion Career Insider Membership and get Christie’s insider advice on how to get noticed by recruiters and the steps to landing your dream fashion job.
Frequently Asked Questions
You asked, and we’re answering! Here’s what you need to know about successfully using LinkedIn to stand out and get a job in fashion.
How important is LinkedIn when looking for a fashion job?
LinkedIn is a non-negotiable part of a fashion job search because recruiters and hiring managers use it to get a snapshot of who you are in just a few seconds. Your profile should complement your resume and add to the hiring manager’s understanding of who you are as a professional.
What should my LinkedIn headline say if I want a fashion job?
Your headline should clearly communicate your professional specialty and the type of role you’re targeting. For example, instead of simply listing your current job title, highlight relevant skills and areas of expertise such as fashion marketing, merchandising, content, social media, ecommerce, or retail—but don’t list them all at once. Pick one that aligns with the position you want, and use that exclusively to help hiring managers see where your experience lies right off the bat.
Should I include my portfolio on LinkedIn?
If your work can be demonstrated through writing, campaigns, photography, styling, design, social media, merchandising, or other projects, showcase relevant samples on your LinkedIn profile. The Featured section can be particularly useful for highlighting your strongest work.
Does my LinkedIn photo matter for fashion jobs?
Your profile photo contributes to your overall professional presentation. Choose a current, clear image that reflects the type of professional environment and role you’re targeting. Your photo doesn’t have to be overly corporate—particularly in fashion—but it should look polished and intentional.
Jeanine Gordon is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist with a passion for creating stellar content for global brands and small businesses alike, specializing in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.