While it would be amazing to get a career in fashion, the industry is incredibly competitive – especially when you consider the vast array of jobs available. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to prepare for a career in fashion, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll discuss the essential details you need to know about getting a job in fashion and the kinds of tasks you’ll be performing. We’ll cover everything from the theoretical foundation to the technical aspects of what you’ll need to know in order to succeed.
The Industry
The fashion industry can be found all over the world, but there are a few countries that are particularly strong in terms of fashion. When it comes to the UK, for example, it is one of the largest industries in Europe. With a whole host of options available to those who work there, it’s something to aspire to! In terms of exports, the UK government announced in June 2019 that fashion and textile exports had increased by 19% in 2018 compared to the year before. That’s a lot of jobs for those in the industry who are looking for work.
Although it’s an exciting time to be in the industry, it’s also highly competitive. Employees in fashion-related jobs can expect to be in high-stress environments, working long hours for little to no pay, as businesses struggle to keep up with the growing demand for their products.
The Jobs
If you’re looking to begin a career in fashion, it’s essential to understand what kinds of jobs are available. Luckily for you, we’ve got the perfect job search engine right here on this very site! Go ahead and click on the link below to see a list of jobs in fashion that are currently available.
Fashion jobs cover a broad spectrum, from retail to marketing, management, and design. Some of the more popular jobs in fashion include:
- Store Assistant
- Cashier
- In-house Digital Marketing Manager
- Event Coordinator
- Account Supervisor
- Personal Stylist
- Handyman
- Apparel Worker
- Pattern Cutter
- Costumer Stylist
- Fashion Designer
- Marketing Assistant
- Makeup Artist
- Hair Stylist
- Photographer
- Stylist
- Sales Assistant
- Events Coordinator
- Buyer
- Product Auctioneer
- Export Buyer
- Clothes Hanger
- Quality Control Analyst
- Fashion Lawyer
- Inventory Control Assistant
- Tour Manager
- Accountant
- Personal Stylist
- Sales Associate
- Hair Stylist
- Clothes Hanger
- Marketing Executive
As you can see, there are a lot of options available when it comes to a career in fashion. If you’re unable to find a job that you feel suits you, then you might want to consider moving into marketing as it’s quite a versatile field. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more traditional job in the industry, then retail could be a good fit. Keep in mind that the fashion industry is changing as more and more businesses are turning to online marketing to gain attention and to encourage people to shop their products.
The education requirements
In order to pursue a career in fashion, you’ll need to learn a lot. Although there are no specific education requirements, having a good background in business, marketing, and communications would be beneficial. If you’re looking for a traditional job in the industry, having a university degree may also be a requirement – although this is not always the case. With so many degrees available in fashion, you may find that you are not entirely sure which one to go for. While some fashion schools only offer vocational training, others will provide you with a decent degree that you can relate to upon graduation.
Skills
As we mentioned above, there are a number of skills you’ll need to possess in order to succeed as a professional in fashion. The UK government’s 2020 Foresight Future of Work report identified five digital skills that will be most valuable in the workplace of the future. Below we’ve listed these skills and elaborated on what sets them apart from the rest.
- Customer analysis
- Content creation
- Data analysis
- Product marketing
- Social media management
- Video editing
If you’re looking to find out more, then be sure to check out the 2020 Foresight Future of Work report which provides extensive detail on these topics as well as many others.
Salary and job prospects
One of the main attractions of a career in fashion is the salary that you can expect to earn. The UK government’s April 2020 report Predictive Analytics for Fashion and Textile (PAFT) states that the average annual salary for a fashion professional is £33,500, which is a considerable increase on the £21,800 that the same position paid in 2019. If you’re looking for a high-paying job in fashion, then being a marketing manager or buyer would be a popular choice – although many other roles exist and pay well too.
In terms of the future of work, the report predicts that by 2030, around 75% of jobs will be in science and engineering, with only about 7% related to textiles and fashion. If you’re looking for a secure career in fashion, then you might want to consider a career in IT, which is often seen as the “next big thing” in terms of jobs. In fact, the UK government is seeking to double the number of skilled jobs in information technology by 2030.
Another important factor to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of a career in fashion is job prospects. According to the UK government’s 2020 Foresight Future of Work report, there are already signs that the job prospects in the industry are improving, with many jobs seen as “predictable” and “secure.”
However, this is certainly not the case everywhere. If you’re looking to secure a job in a different country, then consider the UK visa system which makes it much more difficult for international students to remain in the country once their studies have concluded. Many international students end up taking low-paid jobs just to make ends meet, which can often be found in the retail or food sector.
Work-life balance
One of the main issues that affect many in the industry is the struggle to maintain a work-life balance. The UK government’s 2020 Foresight Future of Work report states that the “nature of work is changing,” with many people now wishing to reduce the amount of working hours that they are required to put in. If you’re looking to secure a job in fashion, then you’ll need to accept that you may need to put in some long hours, as business is often seen as a “24/7” industry. Many employees are also expected to work on a Sunday, which is quite the opposite of what many people in the religious sector strive for. If you’re looking for an ideal work-life balance, then a career in academia could be a good fit, as many universities have adopted a more pastoral approach in the last few years.
However, not all jobs in fashion are created equal. Some roles can be extremely physically demanding, especially if you decide to go for a career in construction or maintenance. If you’re worried about your health, then you may want to consider looking into alternative routes – such as becoming a fashion lawyer or an accountant – which can be much less physically demanding.
In conclusion, although it’s an exciting time to be in the industry, it’s also extremely competitive. Many employees work long hours for little to no pay as businesses struggle to keep up with the growing demand for their products. With so much change in the industry, it can be difficult to know what will be next – but if you’re looking for a career that is both challenging and rewarding, then fashion might be the direction for you.