If you are looking to start applying for a fashion placement, then read on! Learn how to secure and rock your fashion placement from my top tips. I recently finalised my placement in Fashion PR with boohoo.com. Based at Oxford Circus, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career to date.

Securing your placement - ‘Be the best version of yourself’

Know your desired business’ background and brand values. Companies may visit your course to talk you through their opportunities and the process of applying to work for them. Application processes can vary from company to company, and they all have separate brand values. So, it is imperative that you attend every presentation that you can! If these presentations aren’t available to you, then you can gain the same information from a company’s kiosk at a recruitment fair. It is always great to talk to the members of staff representing a business. It is likely that they will be the ones who will interview you, so make yourself familiar to them!

You will never influence the world by being just like it

Avoid using the phrase ‘passion for fashion’ within your CV, covering letter or in an interview. It's cliché and has no depth. Recruiters want to know how the fashion industry makes you feel, think and live your everyday life. Reveal the depth of your passion instead.

Great things never came from comfort zones

Most fashion placements are in London, and if you are not a savvy city slicker, it can seem like a huge leap. There are fashion businesses based in other areas of the UK, but cutting London completely out of your search can reduce your options. In such a competitive industry, I soon realised that I had to remove all barriers if I wanted to get a placement that I really wanted.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression

In such a competitive industry, the volume of applications that a business will receive for a placement role is incredible. The process of elimination becomes brutal, as recruiters cannot offer everyone an interview. Ensure that your CV is poppin’, and that key information is on the front page, such as your most valuable work experience and what you know about the business. The chances of them reading the second page of your CV is very low so make them want to turn that page!

Rocking your placement - ‘Hustle until you no longer have to introduce yourself’

You are what you do, not what you say you do

The hard part is over, you’ve got the job, but you now need to earn your stripes. Be the kickass intern with the can-do attitude and always have a go. This is a great way to gain the respect of your colleagues, get yourself recognised, and most importantly, to learn! If you feel you can’t finish a task on time or you aren’t sure what to do, then let someone know as soon as you can. You are there to learn and your colleagues know that!

For every minute spent organising, an hour is earned

The key to organisation is dreamy stationery. An absolute must is a page-a-day diary to write down every single task so that nothing is forgotten. If someone asks you to ensure something is done on a certain date, you can go to that exact day and write it on that page. I would analyse my list every morning, prioritising my tasks and planning it out to ensure I completed everything.

It’s not about having time, it’s about making time

This one goes hand-in-hand with being an organisation whizz. If you are on top of all your tasks, then a colleague won’t need to ask you twice to do something. If you are working proactively but your to-do list is getting out of control and unmanageable, then let a senior member of staff know. They will help to delegate some of your tasks to other team members.

Learning is not a spectator sport

If a colleague asks something of you and you’re unsure what to do, see it as a challenge rather than an obstacle. Never forget that you are there to learn and build your knowledge, so everything is achievable! By taking on unfamiliar tasks that are out of your comfort zone, not only will you become more confident in your role, but you will also have more to discuss in any work that you may have to complete post-placement for your university course.

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