Fashion Week Fall 2013!

Being an intern pro, fashion week is a bit of a stranger. I have always chosen to stay in the office in order to learn more about my craft and what I need to accomplish in order to bare the name "Coordinator". But as we are smack in the middle of a chaotic fashion week reflect on what the steps are leading up to a four minute fashion show.

Walking around the office during a time like this is an interesting feat. Interns scramble to get Lookbooks printed and get coffee for employees who remain chained to their desks. I try to remain focused on the prize, which is building my skills while balancing the "grunt work"

Fashion week amplifies the stress of the PR world but I only see the finish line.

Photo credit: Vera Wang Fall 2013

The PR Portfolio

For a PR newbie this is just as important as a social security card or a passport. Employers will see your abilities and view you as an asset if they are able to actually see what you can do.

Your portfolio begins with your résumé. It introduces you to the reader and highlights the skills that qualify you for the job. Make sure it is targeted to the industry you intend to work in (no sales experience on a PR resume). Make it one page and utilize your chance to sell your personal brand to the investor (employer).

Next, add in a few writing samples. Show that you know and understand press releases. Present at least three examples.
If you have a blog, twitter, Instagram,
Express your appreciation for the direction of the industry. Social media is now a huge part of public relations. Take screen shots of your professional social media presence.

Then, display any freelance work you have done. Development of social channels for local businesses, signage, press kits and PR plans will all be impressive to employers looking for someone to dive into a new position.

Finally include a thank you note addressing the employer for taking their time to review your portfolio.

Building work experience!

It's very important to use your time wisely and build work experience even beyond your internships. Look into doing freelance work for local boutiques in your area. Pitch your concepts to them. Evaluate their condition and explain the elements they are missing in regards to public relations and social media. Do they currently have any social media presence? Are visuals important to the? How are the communicating with media?

Create a PR plan for the boutique. Highlight their strengths but also show their opportunities, weaknesses and threats. For example, it's known that's social media has become one of the largest means of communication when it comes to connecting businesses to consumers. If the boutique is lacking that presence pitch a concept focusing on strengthening social networking relationships.

As you progress and do more and more for the success of the boutique you'll begin to see your very own PR portfolio unfold. If this is truly your passion you'll find ways to stay sharp and become a better publicist.

Dealing with Arrogant Interns at Your Internship

So we have all come across the attitudes that come along with working in the world of fashion. It's something you can either accept and deal with or fall apart and be devastated about. I choose not to stress the small stuff, especially when I have grad school and freelance PR deadlines.

It's natural to feel the need to go off in the face of pure arrogance but remember your purpose of being an intern, your there to receive academic credit, and/or a job. Having a blow up in the showroom while on duty at your internship over some he said she said nonsense just isn't worth it.
This is all part of your training, knowing how to input, return, and ship out samples is part of it, but knowing how to separate business from personal is golden.

Some people are not warm and nurturing, they may never say please or thank you. Maintain the joy you experience by working in fashion public relations because it will be what keeps you from climbing the walls.

What to Do When Your Contacts Can't Find You A Job!

I've come to a roadblock in my quest for Fashion PR employment. Though I have made many connections it seems that my network of professionals just cannot help me find work. At this point (8 months post grad) it may just be entirely up to me to break my way into the industry.

As per advice given by my career mentor,
I have made contact with a few more recruiter agencies here in NYC. Though it is difficult to think of actually putting your job search in someone else's hands it may just do the trick. Many reputable PR firms and fashion houses use agency recruiters to find the best candidates around.

So as I continue to look on my own I am being represented by an agent who knows my career path, where I have been and how I intend to get there. When you network of contacts seem unable to lend a helping hand consider a recruiting agency.

Interning at an Agency

It's no secret that agency operations are different from that of working in-house PR. In most cases an agency intern is just that...an intern. The office segregation is comical. Interns often inflict it upon themselves by sitting at different tables in the lunchroom. But the scariest part would have to be the separation of simple amenities like bathrooms, which is often enforced by staff and owners of the firm. Agency PR interns seem to be the black sheep of the office. It actually made me laugh when I realized what the too secret agent locks on the kitchen cabinet doors were for ( to keep interns out).

The next 4 months should be interesting and I am so down for the ride. It's important for me to experience all that the world of fashion PR has to offer. Each day is more and more interesting, and getting used to an agency culture has not been easy.

Fashion Interview Attire

So many of us industry newbies wonder what is acceptable when it comes to dressing for fashion interviews. It's easy to look at movies like the Devil Wears Prada and put something together to channel Miranda's style but what do interviewers really look for when it comes to perspective employees?

Research tells me that employers could really care less about what their employees wear as long as their clean and presentable. But how can this be possible when working in an industry that prides itself on what people look like? So as I prepare for an interview today I focused on highlighting my ability to do beyond what the job requires me to do. I kept my attire simple. Replicating the basic corporate suit with a twist of fashion. Make sure that you look as confident on the outside as you feel on the inside. Smile! This is without a doubt the best thing you can wear to any job interview.

Accessories are the pieces you can use to showcase your personal style. Wear a pair of shoes that make you feel tall and confident. Use a handbag that is professional yet screams out "I understand trends and know how to make them my own!" Give it your all. Let the employer know your the one for the job and that your willing to do the work...even before you've gotten the job.