Fashion Assistant Jobs: Where and How to Work for a Magazine Read more at Suite101: Fashion Assistant Jobs: Where and How to Work for a Magazine

Lisa Marie Basile


The magazine industry is ripe with fashion assistant positions. Landing that job takes some amazing know-how. Here is the insider scoop to landing that gig.




Making it in fashion journalism requires patience and time. Everyone starts somewhere—and for many, the fashion assistant position is a great way to begin a budding fashion career. Knowing how and where to find fashion assistant positions is key.


Get to Know Fashion Assistant Duties

It is important to know what a fashion assistant at a magazine actually does before applying for positions. While editorial assistants work more with the magazine's word content, fashion assistants work more with the actual clothing and fashion shooting at many magazines. Magazine editors need help with organizing, research and events. That is where a fashion assistant comes in, aiding with:

* Organizing the fashion closet

* Managing clothing returns

* Working with fashion interns and editors

* Researching fashion trends and markets

* Writing about fashion

* Attending fashion shows

* Assistant fashion editors

Where to Find Fashion Assistant Jobs

• Ed2010.com: This magazine-oriented website provides contacts and information for many fashion assistant magazine positions.
• Fashionjobs.com: This site provides broader fashion jobs.

Writing the Creative Fashion Assistant Cover Letter

Working in fashion is creative—so reflect that when writing the cover letter. Be bright, interesting and engaging. According to Ed2010, a job board that features fashion assistant positions, the cover letter should be creative and interesting. The cover letter should reflect the nature of the industry, so find a way to balance professionalism with creativity.

What does this mean? Don't just talk about a background in fashion or journalism; let them into the candidate's passion for fashion. Mention specific events and details that make for a unique cover letter. Anyone can study fashion or journalism, but not everyone can keep a reader reading.

Fashion Assistant Cover Letter Tips

Take notes before writing. It's important to jot down professional and personal experiences that reveal a good work ethic. Think about what makes a worthy candidate for a fashion assistant position—it's important to let the reader know that these duties are understood. If the candidate reads the fashion section of the newspaper every day, reported at fashion events, worked a fashion show or kept a blog about fashion and trends, it's great to mention this. Write down these experiences and highlight the most important job duties performed.

A Catchy Hook

Much like a feature article in a fashion magazine, the cover letter needs a good lede or opening statement. Start the cover letter by writing a smart, creative introduction. This could be something like, "I knew I wanted to work in fashion the day I tried on my first pair of red heels." Discuss why those shoes inspired a career in fashion journalism, and what has been done to prepare for that career.

Detail and Professionalism

Start another paragraph detailing all professional experiences, especially relevant, fashion-related roles. Highlight a job or two that requires the same duties as the position for which s being applied. Detail sincere passion for the fashion industry, and knowledge of journalism. Provide information about education, certifications and internships or jobs.

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5 Tips to Follow When Letting an Employee Go

How to Tell An Employee They Are Being Let Go

By Lahle Wolfe, About.com Guide

1. Be Professional With a Personal Touch: Never tell your employees that they are being let go for any reason in a meeting, email, or in a memo. Treat your employees with dignity and respect; a supervisor, or someone from upper management or human resources should sit down personally with each employee individually and explain to them why they are being let go.

   Being laid off hurts; being treated like cattle hurts even more, and it will hurt the reputation of your company.

2. Offer Parting Contacts, Information and Resources: When you let employees go, do not let them go empty-handed. Give them printouts for resources for employment counseling, unemployment, job training, and local small business development organizations.

   If you offer health insurance benefits, 401K Plans, etc. be sure to provide information about COBRA and any requirements or restrictions on transferring retirement accounts or other savings.

   Because losing a job can cause emotional turmoil, you might also consider including contact information for a suicide or depression hotline.

   Providing information and contacts for other employment prospects shows that you care what happens to someone after they leave your employment.

3. Only Let Employees Go on a Monday: Whenever possible, always let people go on a Monday – never on a Friday or day that precedes a holiday. Statistics show that people adjust better to changes in employment when told as early as possible in the work week.

   Employees who have been let go on a Friday cannot begin making calls about other jobs and are more likely to become depressed, commit suicide, or angry enough to act out in vengeance against an employer when laid off later in the week or just before a holiday.

4. Always Give Your Employees Notice or Severance Pay: Never let someone go without at least two weeks' notice (one month is even better) or without giving them severance pay.

   As an employer, you have some responsibility to consider the financial hardship that might be created for any employee you let go (except those who are fired for company violations or poor job performance). It is difficult enough for someone who loses their job, but when they lose income without warning and cannot find other work they may lose health care benefits, a car, or even their home.

   If your company can afford to offer severance pay, do so. If you cannot afford to offer a severance package, always try to give advance notice to employees that their job is being eliminated.

   The “rule of thumb” is that it takes an average of one month for every $10,000 a worker earns to find a new job. In a difficult economy, it could take 2-3 times longer.

   Most companies will also pay out any unused sick or vacation time in addition to severance pay.

5. Be Prepared to Listen and to React: You cannot predict how someone will take the news that they are being let go. Some employees are stoic, while others may cry, become angry, or even make threats.

   When you actually sit down with someone to let them know that they are losing their job, make sure someone else in management knows you are meeting with that person. If you have any hesitations about letting someone go, have another management employee sit in the room with you for support (for you, and the employee).

   Give the employee an “exit interview” either face-to-face or on through an Internet resource. Exit interviews are usually questionnaires that may be used to gain information about how a company can improve its work environment and retain more employees, but exit interviews also give unhappy employees a chance to vent, and in some cases, even find closure after a job loss.

Employees who have devoted their work life to helping you meet your business objective should be treated with compassion and a show of appreciate if you need to let them go.

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First Steps to Marketing a Small Business

By Laura Lake, About.com Guide


It's difficult to start a business, let alone learn how to market it. It's not uncommon for new and small business owners to find themselves in the marketing role and quickly becoming overwhelmed. Don't worry, I'm here to help. There are marketing basics that are important to every small business owner. Marketing is not an expense it's an investment and it's important to have a clear understanding on where to start investing. If you can get this, you are one step ahead.

Let's talk about the basics, shall we? By the end of this series you'll have a clear understanding of not only what marketing is and why you should do it, but you'll also be well on your way to creating your own marketing plan. With a plan in hand and a basic understanding you will have taken the risk out of where your putting those marketing dollars.

What is Marketing?
We often hear about marketing and when we own a business we know it's something we are supposed to do, but what is marketing? There are so many definitions that describe marketing as small business owners understanding what it is can leave us confused. We hear about sales, advertising, public relations and marketing. Is there a difference? There is a difference and when that difference is understood it's easier to understand what tasks should be handled by specific roles within the company and under the specific actions entitled marketing. Good marketing is critical to the success of any business and understanding what it is will help your small business get started on the right foot.

Why Marketing is Worth the Expense
Many companies view marketing as an expense. Truth is when a business understands the importance and the role it plays in growing a business it's clear on why it should be considered an investment. Marketing is crucial when it comes to gaining the attention of prospective consumers and clients, developing products or service demand and turning those prospective consumers into customers. Marketing has an affect on your sales, pricing, promotions and your advertising strategies. When understand the importance of marketing you can use it to promote the ongoing transition of your services and products to the consumer; this can create success in your small business.

Understanding Market Research
Market research helps you to determine how your product or service will be accepted among different demographics. This information can help you in establishing which segment of consumers will have an interest in your product and services and ultimately end up purchasing from you. You can use market research to gain specific information such as determining the age group, gender, location, and income level of potential customers that you should target using your marketing message. Market research enables you to create a marketing plan for your small business that is not only effective, but also cost efficient.

Why Marketing Research is Important to Your Business
You've done your homework and you've invested time in marketing research, so why should you care about marketing research? There is a difference, let me explain. Market research gives the information that you need regarding the market. Marketing research is delving into the behavior and buying habits of a specific segment that you have decided to target and ultimately it saves you money in by helping you avoid costly marketing mistakes. Learn why it's important and how you can use it to be create effective marketing strategies for your small business.

Why Consumers Buy What They Buy
Our marketplace is changing, we see this in the spending habits of consumers as well as in the economy. Consumers are looking for something more than a flashy ad or attention grabbing commercial when considering where to spend their hard earned money. Learn why consumers buy what they buy and how you can influence their decision.

Marketing a Product vs. Marketing a Service
Marketing a service is different than marketing a product. There are certain things you need to consider and different steps you need to take in order to help the consumer feel comfortable. Learn what you what you need to do differently in order to market your service effectively.

What is a Marketing Plan?
A marketing plan serves as a roadmap when it comes to your marketing initiatives. It details the success route that you will need to follow to get your small business noticed by potential customers. A detailed marketing plan will show you what to do and help you understand why you are doing it. It will also help you navigate away from the marketing and business mistakes that will cost you money, time and future growth potential. As a small business owner equipped with a marketing plan, you will feel more organized, have more confidence and a clear vision when it comes to your marketing goals. Put in simple terms a marketing plan increases your chance to achieve the business success that you desire.

Create a 90 Day Marketing Plan
If you've never created a marketing plan, I also suggest that you try doing the 90-day plan. It is less intimidating and helps you to focus on the short-term need. You can also focus on the immediate needs of the company. There are many benefits to creating a 90-day plan. Learn how a 90-day plan can keep you on target and help in your overall master planning.

Marketing Trends for the New Decade
How will your business do in the next decade? I think that all depends on how you market and the relationships that you create and cultivate. It's time to pull those marketing dollars back that aren't working for you and begin to invest them in ways that will give you more of a return. If you are ready, what are you waiting for? I give you my Marketing Predictions for 2010 and the decade that follows - out with the old and in with the new.

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The Job Interview

Are you ready for your next job interview?

There are few things that make a person more nervous than a job interview. It feels as though your entire life is on display. Somehow you feel the need to prove that everything you have ever accomplished was done so for the express purpose of getting this ONE job.

While the interview will always evoke some amount of stress and trepidation, there are things you can do to make the process easier and a more positive outcome likely.

One of the most important things you can do is be prepared for the job interview. That doesn't just mean you need to carry an extra copy or two of your resume with you, it means that you have to:


1.Research the company to have a true understanding of the products and/or services offered as well as to be able to converse knowledgeably about the company during the employment interview.
2.Know your answers to the most likely interview questions well enough to say them to yourself in a mirror without reading them or using cue cards.
3.Plan your route to the employment interview including alternate routes should traffic be a problem. Expect to get to the interview location 10-15 minutes early (or earlier if you need more time), but do not go into the building until approximately 5 minutes prior to the start of the interview.
4.Determine what to wear and have it ready and waiting the night before the big day. If necessary, shine your shoes. Do whatever it takes to ensure you look professional and it will help you feel professional, too.
5.Make sure every aspect of grooming is meticulously managed. (i.e. nails trimmed short, hair kept in a stylish cut, freshly showered and so on)
The job interview, while un-nerving, is a necessary part of virtually every career. If taken seriously and well planned for, it can be successfully accomplished with minimal stress.

You can do!

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Job Tips For The Frustrated Job Seeker (part 2)

Where to find a job? Dig! And keep digging! You may never know where one will show up. In some ways the internet has made job searches easier with a variety of job sites to search. You should probably set up accounts at the large sites like hotjobs and monster which will allow you to post your resume and apply directly to postings Also take a look at sites like indeed.com. They are a search engine of sorts for jobs. They search several jobs sites at once. Saves time from going to each site. Post your resume so employers can find you. ASK! Don't be afraid to let everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Drop a email to anyone who might know someone who might have a job opening. You might be surprised how many people really do want to help you. Network your pants off! If you don't ask no one can help you. Search everyday. Try and send out at least one resume a day if not more. Pick up the early edition of the Sunday paper. Send out 5-10 at a time. And keep sending them even after you have interviews set up. You can easily fall behind two or three weeks if you stop sending resumes in hopes of that job offer coming through.

Nothing better than telling someone, "I'm sorry I accepted another position" Apply for every job you are remotely interested in even if you don't think you are qualified. Every job listed always has a laundry list of qualifications and requirements. In a perfect world they would find the perfect person that would match every requirement. But employers know that person doesn't exist and they are looking for someone who closely matches and they feel will be a good fit. At the worst you will never hear from them. At the best they will offer you a job or maybe something different within their company. You can always turn it down. Even if it turns out to be something you really don't want to do, it might help you get by for awhile until a better position comes along. Never be afraid to apply to any job!

Most of all don't give up hope, the right job will happen at the right time. Remember to take care of yourself. Go for a walk, get plenty of rest, do something you enjoy just for yourself. As long as you keep moving in a forward direction, if someone asks you what you have been doing to find a job you can proudly say "this is what I have been doing" Persistence will pay off. Good luck.

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Job Tips For The Frustrated Job Seeker (part 1)

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There is nothing more frustrating and depressing when you are out of work and trying to find a job and your job search is going no where. Don't feel bad, you are not alone and there is a good reason why searching for a new job can be so difficult. There is no doubt the job market has changed. 30 years ago when I applied for my first job I remember answering an ad in the paper, calling and speaking to a real person, going in for the interview, filling out a application, had the interview and was offered the $3.75 and hour shipping job. Things are not that simple today. Back then there was no voice mail, no email, you mailed in a typed resume, who had a fax at home? You called and talked to a real person. You may of filled out a application but not the dozen forms you need to today. And you never had to prove you were legally allowed to work in the United States.

Today if you are looking for a job how to you stand out in the impersonal hiring environment that exists in most companies. If you apply online you are competing against dozens if not hundreds of others. Competition is stiff for a most jobs and a human may never even see your resume. Are there steps you can follow that will improve your chances? After being unemployed for several months after 3 years of self employment and becoming more depressed and frustrated in not finding a job, I took my job search to a new level which finally paid off in a new job.

I had been self employed for 3 years but after a divorce and starting life over, my self employment was no longer working. I had to bite the bullet and start looking for a job. The first mistake I realized was my resume was not working. I had updated it to reflect my self employment which was not related to my previous career. I was trying to find a position similar to my previous career in the graphics and computer support industry. By starting my work history with my self employment it made it look like I had been out of the industry even longer and my skills even more outdated. I was just shooting myself in the foot. I changed my self employment to reflect my computer skills so while I had been out of the industry for awhile I wasn't out of touch. Some employers have doubts about people who have been self employed. They think they are going to go back to their own business or worse they only want a job so they can use company resources for their own gain. In my case I was able to explain that I had an opportunity to work at home and spend time with my preschool son, it had been for family reasons. Most employers respect that.

To begin with you really need to take a hard look at your resume. If you have always worked in one area and are applying for a position similar to those you have had in the past then your resume may just need some updating and polish. There are a number of good books and websites on resume writing. If you really need help then a resume service may be money well spent. How many resumes do you have? There is no reason you can't have several. I was applying for a variety of unrelated positions. I would of looked "over qualified" or my experience would of been too unrelated for the position if I stuck with just one standard resume. I created a "general" resume that listed a variety of skills that could fit any number of non specific jobs. You can have one that is very specific for the industry you are applying for and there is no reason you can't change it to a specific company especially if it will be scanned in and checked for "keywords" Some companies scan for keywords or buzzwords related to the position, their company or industry. Even if you are the most qualified person for that position, if your resume doesn't have those keywords, it will never get seen.

In addition to having a few different resumes you should have it in several different formats also. If you need to mail it in then a nice easy to read printed resume is in order. Same if you will be faxing it in. If you email your resume then your cover letter will be the body of your email and your resume will be attached. Most employers request it be in a word .doc format or text but you can also use a pdf format. If you have your own website why not post it online with a link in your email. That way if your attachment can't be read they can print it off the internet. For example the link could be http://www.yourwebsite.com/yourresume.html. You should also have a unformatted text only resume for uploading to online job sites.

Be sure to include several ways to contact you. Home phone, cell phone, email. I had the unfortunate luck of having my cell phone and my home phone cut off for non payment within a few days of each other. As luck would have it someone I sent a resume to tried to contact me and couldn't get through. They did send me a email saying they couldn't reach me. I was able to call them and get a interview. Don't leave anything to chance. And if they leave you a message get back to them ASAP while your resume is still on their desk. When you get a interview, be on time, be prepared, do your research about the company you are interviewing with. You can usually find most everything you need off their company website. Come prepared with extra resumes, helpful if you have to fill out a application. Also have copies of your updated references. It is best to have more than 3. Some companies want professional references including past employers, others want personal references of persons not related to you. Be prepared for both.


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How to Make A Resume - Resume-Writing Tips To Attain Your Dream Job

Would you like to make the best impression on your prospective employers concerning your competence and how you would be suited for the job you are applying for?

Over and beyond the squeaky clean look, the impressive grades, and the equally stellar smile on your face, one thing that would help you snag that job would be that well-written resume.

Knowing how to make a resume, and making it persuasive, would be one skill that you cannot afford to leave out of your career-building arsenal. Your resume may well be your personal ad campaign packed in a few sheets of paper.

In knowing how to make a resume, you should not only know the format used in your state or country, but you should also know how to position yourself for the job.

Not that you would modify your skills and educational background on paper just so you would seem perfect for the job; rather, you have to be able to choose from your best skills and record them on your resume, in a manner that would best sell you for the job you are applying to.

In knowing how to make a resume, you have to:

1) Figure out your best skills, and emphasize them on your resume. 2) Showcase your educational background. Emphasize your awards and achievements. If you were able to join seminars and get extra training, indicate these on your resume. 3) Pinpoint your personal talents and interests, even your best character traits, and include these in the latter sections of your resume.

In going out for a job, employers would want to see your best skills and your educational background, plus any other additional training you may have been able to obtain.

Yet aside from that, if you also indicate your personal talents and interests, including your best character traits, you would also enable the recruitment officer or team to better decide whether you are best suited for the job. They would know in which areas the company can best use your talents.

For expansion and promotion purposes, it would be easier to pinpoint you for certain tasks, or even a future, higher position.

In your career, the importance of knowing how to make a resume, and making it convincing, is paramount. Keep these principles in mind. Make sure that you go to your job interviews confident and self-possessed, and you will surely land your dream job!

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