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Is there ever a perfect time to apply for jobs? As much as we like to think that timing is everything—it really isn’t. At least, that’s what I’ve learned as I’ve taken my first steps into the fashion industry. Fortunately, landing the right role has less to do with luck and more to do with knowing how to network, staying proactive and being confident in your abilities.

As a postgraduate student in Vogue College of Fashion’s MA in Fashion Journalism & Editorial Direction, I’ve gathered valuable lessons that have helped me gain clarity on my career path. Here are a few networking strategies and job-hunting tips that every aspiring fashion professional should know.

How to Network Without Feeling Awkward: Start With People You Know

Let’s face it: every college student is tired of the advice “make connections.” But I hate to break it to you—this is now at the top of my list. If you’re wondering how to network effectively, the first step is to reach out to your existing contacts. Think back to your past internships, university peers, professors or even people you’ve met at events.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Forging connections with people who you can learn from, now or down the line, is extremely useful no matter what line of work you’re in. These small efforts build a professional network that can offer support, referrals and guidance along the way. More often than not, people are happy to help you in any way they can.

Stay Warm! Cold Emails Are in This Week’s Forecast

When learning how to network in the digital age, cold emailing is a skill worth mastering. It might seem intimidating, but reaching out to someone you admire—even if you’ve never met—is one of the most powerful ways to get on a company’s radar.

Start by researching the brands or agencies you’d love to work for. LinkedIn is your best friend as it’s the simplest tool at your fingertips to learn all you need to know about a company. Use platforms like LinkedIn to find the right contact, then craft a short message explaining who you are, what you’re looking for and why you’re reaching out.

Even if they don’t respond, you’ve still made a valuable impression—and the more emails you send, the higher your chances of success. A benefit of this digital age is that if one path of communication doesn’t work, there are plenty of others to try next. A brand that may not check LinkedIn messages may be more receptive through email, or vice versa.

Pro tip: keep track of who you reach out to, and follow up after a week or two. Persistence is part of the process.

How to Network with Industry Professionals While Studying

At Vogue College, we have the privilege to meet, learn from and work with industry professionals who are eager to give us valuable insight into the fashion world. There are no better people to learn from than those who are currently where we one day hope to be. If you’re wondering how to network with these professionals, start by asking thoughtful questions, showing genuine interest in their work, and following up after meetings or events. Whether you’re in a classroom or backstage at a show, treat every moment as a chance to build your network.

Learning from industry professionals enables you to get an inside look at what your future career might look like, and how best to get there. Where other than Vogue College are you going to be in class with your professor who’s casually talking about an interview he did with Taylor Swift?

Stay Consistent—Even When You Face Rejection

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind throughout your journey that nothing worth having will come easy. Don’t worry if you face rejection or don’t receive a response because eventually the hard work will pay off. It’s easy to compare ourselves to others, but no two careers are the same. The good thing about our competitive industry is that new positions are constantly popping up and there’s no shortage of new companies being founded every day. Don’t take your eye off the prize—the day will come when you’ll be glad you didn’t.

Written by Grace Skinner, MA in Fashion Journalism & Editorial Direction student

Advance your fashion career with Degree programmes at Vogue College of Fashion.