Going from studying to working is a huge step, and there are so many factors to consider. In addition to that, you have the pressure that all your friends are increasingly being snapped up and you don’t want to be the last green bottle hanging on the wall. Try to remember that different industries move at different speeds, and that while you may not be the first to secure a job, you do need to select the perfect role as it will be the launchpad for the rest of your career.

You need to make a plan of action

What is the exact role you’re seeking?
What title are you seeking? What department or product area? What sort of retailer or brand?

Be really clear here – you won’t garner any respect if you say you fancy buying, merchandising or marketing. Your degree and education will have carved out which you would be perfect for, so follow that route and you’ll have a far more smooth search.

When are you job searching? Timelines?
Will you want some of the summer off?  OR will you be the early bird who catches the worm?

How will you go about making these dreams into a reality?
What is the best course of action to take to get there – an internship? Use of agencies? A CV mailshot? Maximising LinkedIn?

How to make dreams a reality

Use of Linked In

• Set up a professional profile, with a pleasant looking photograph.

• Have a title that says “Westminster University Business Graduate Seeking First Role in Retail”

• Connect to a range of people who are relevant to your plan – eg HR people from retailers, and senior-level merchandisers from those brands you’d like to join are a perfect choice

• Also, join groups in retail and merchandising, and follow the companies you’d like to work for – they will advertise vacancies so you can be first past the post when the perfect job arises.

Follow the companies you’d like to work for – they will advertise vacancies

Internships

• Internships are a really good use of your time, whether for a week or a couple of months.

• They give you the sort of experience that will lead to full employment, and puts you in a stronger position as a candidate straight out of university as you’re no longer brand new anymore.

• If you can afford to, do a voluntary role for as long as possible – it could easily lead to a permanent role when the next position arises there.

• Be careful where you pick to do an internship though – both the brand and department could steer your career at an early stage, so be sure it’s a reputable business, and a fashion area.

Agencies

• There are many retail recruitment agencies who place graduates into MAA and Allocator roles.

• Always be sure to meet with your agency, so you receive a personal service – this should be an interesting meeting where you pick up some excellent tips and learn more about the industry.

• Always ensure that you have full control of where your CV has been sent to – it’s very easy to excitedly say yes to every job offered, but your CV can only arrive with each business once, so keep a note of where your details have been submitted, and don’t end up with egg on your face!

• After your meeting, communicate regularly (every other week is fine) to let your consultant know how keen you are, and keep them updated as to how your search is going.

• Remember that some agencies often just want to fill their jobs, and may not have your best interests at heart – be firm about the roles you will and won’t do in terms of brand and location.

Graduate Fairs & Networking

• There are lots of events for graduates, so pick one that is relevant to your world.

• HR and Recruitment managers from all the big retailers will be there, so the fairs are a great opportunity to meet these people face to face. Take paper copies of your CV, dress smart-fashionably and approach them confidently and professionally as you introduce yourself. This is your big chance to really stand out from the crowd – they receive hundreds of CVs every week, but they don’t get to actually meet as many folk so put your best foot forward and dazzle.

• Some recruitment companies hold Grad Days. At AQUAretail we hold these monthly at peak time for graduates leaving university, and welcome 10-20 selected Grads at any given time. This is a fun and informative guide to getting the perfect job, with sessions spanning The Career Path, A Day In The Life, Fashion Retailers, CV Surgery, Preparing For Interview and a 1-2-1 Meeting.

CV Mailshot

• Once you’ve put the perfect CV together, you may choose to send it out to dozens of potential employers that you’ve identified.

• Get the contact email address (email don’t snail-mail!) either from LinkedIn profiles, or from calling the switchboard of the retailers you would like to target.

• You’ll need to create a professional but eye-catching cover note, in the hope of standing out.

• Once you’ve sent it, make a follow-up call the next day to express how keen you are and allow them to hear your lovely phone manner (it’s advisable to write a script so you don’t falter!)

Read up so you’re knowledgeable about the fashion world – be able to talk about the latest trends

Cover letters

• You have a good chance to impress agencies and employers and land yourself a shiny new job, you just need to have a proactive strategy starting with a strong covering letter.

• Keep it short and to the point – it’s not your autobiography!

• Reference the job you are applying for and a couple of examples of your suitability for the role. If you are applying for an MAA role, state you have completed a Business/Maths degree.

• Draw attention also to your love of fashion, as demonstrated by your part time role working in Oasis, or wherever you’ve worked – this is key to showing that while you want to work in merchandising and not buying, you have a love for the industry.

• While sending out the same cover letter to every employer saves time, you won’t stand out from the crowd of grads doing the same thing. Do some research, go online, look at what the business is doing currently – go the extra mile; this shows your willingness to make an effort.

• As a grad you lack ‘real-world’ experience but be sure to include any activities you have taken part in to demonstrate your potential. These can include volunteer work, projects, internships etc.

• Take advantage of any stand-out academic achievements. If you took initiative in any school activities that show leadership or team-player qualities, these are worth mentioning.

Some useful tips

• Check that your Facebook is on maximum privacy settings so all photos are hidden – future employers will look you up, so make sure they don’t find anything contentious!

• Start a special Hotmail account for jobhunting, with an appropriate name.

• Ensure your voicemail sounds professional, and isn’t still that jokey one from long ago

• If you want to include a photo on your CV, be sure it is professional and of good quality

• Take time to read up via Drapers & Retail Week about the industry so you’re knowledgeable

• Know the fashion world – be able to talk about the latest trends or must-have handbag

• Remember that when communicating with future employers you must use correct English, none of the abbreviations you might use when texting friends.