I’ve been trying everything I can from honing my skills, to updating my portfolio and resume, to attending webinars and networking events, and meeting with industry professionals but I’ve had no luck. Is anyone willing to help?
Also, sn: I’m looking for associate design, sourcing, color design, tech design and stylist positions. I’m open to relocating as long as assistance will be provided.
You are doing all of the right things. The big question is, are you currently in an area where there are fashion companies? Like NY or LA? If not, your location is the issue; most companies don’t even consider candidates they have to relocate.
If you haven’t done an internship, maybe start there. If you have, definitely you should be looking at assistant designer not associate designer positions. Associate designer is not entry level.
My company is looking potentially for someone part time if you’d be interested. I’m new to The Schmatte, so don’t know if you can DM me.
Thank you, and no i’m currently located in Michigan. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve heard of companies not considering candidates they have to relocate, I know at least two people who have relocated once they secured design positions…are there any specific brands that don’t?
I completed a fashion internship after college for a local brand, but I haven’t secured another since then. I’m also new to Schmatte, but I will definitely try to dm you.
Most fashion companies don’t pay to relocate entry-level candidates; at least not the ones in NY and LA. That being said, companies in non-fashion areas like Target, Kohl’s, Coldwater Creek, etc… are more likely to relocate recent graduates.
From my 10 years experience in Los Angeles…no company will hire an entry level designer/TD who isn’t already living in Los Angeles. They will barely offer standard benefits, let alone relocation assistance! You are competing with every graduate from local Los Angeles fashion colleges, and you will loose out against them.
I wasn’t even offered that for a mid-level position that would require me moving from LA to SF. I’ve only ever heard of it from Urban Outfitters/Free People trying to import people to PA from LA.
I put a fake address on my resume when I lived in Washington State, mass applied to entry level fashion jobs on Craigslist, flew down to LA for the week and interviewed, got a job with a start date 2 weeks away, found an apartment, and then flew back home to get my stuff and do the actual move. Now days you probably could just do the fake address and many places do phone/zoom interviews, then just be prepared to move ASAP.
Wow, thank you for the heads up. Now I find it odd that others in the design industry have been hyping up applying to jobs with relocation requirements…they claimed that if a brand wanted me enough they would assist with that.
Definitely a good point, I was honestly hoping for Chicago or maybe even Seattle instead of New York or Los Angeles due to how expensive they are. But it sounds like you went through a lot, I’m just afraid that lying about my address will come back to bite…
I’m not saying you shouldn’t apply to these jobs but rather pointing out a reason you may not be getting a response to your applications.
It’s true, if a company wanted you badly enough, they would assist with relocation. What they aren’t saying is that you have to be an exponentially better choice to potential employers than the talent they find locally AND they have to be able to glean that from just your resume.
Ohh okay, got it! That provided more clarity for me, thank you!
I agree with most of these comments and have personally been there. I’m from Illinois and I had to roll the dice after college (which was during the 08’ recession). Thankfully I interned in LA, so it was an easier transition to move back out once I graduated - but ya, it’s 10000% your location becuase you are doing everything right. Very rare does any company pay for relocation anymore - there are just so many candidates and so little jobs, they don’t have to!
If you haven’t already done this, I suggest you contact your Alumni association to see if any older graduates have any advice. You could also update your resume to reflect your location of LA or NYC (or wherever the job is) and see if that helps. Most interviews are phone screens or Zooms initially anyways! And if you get an in-person, then fly out!
Since you have digital design skills - look at roles for digital fashion or softwares like CLO for example. Also, it seems like you’re looking for anything/everything which could also be not helpful. Stylist or Sourcing? Those are SO different.
Just heads up as some who works & lives in Seattle, it is NOT cheaper here than NYC or LA. 
And not many jobs at the moment here either, though the whole industry is kind of in the same boat. If you are looking at the PNW, look at Portland: Nike, Adidas, Columbia etc…