Fashion Resume Writing

Writing a fashion resume requires more than just work accomplishments and dates of employment. Because fashion has its own distinct vocabulary, a superior knowledge of style terms is critical. Along with a cover letter, your fashion resume is a critical marketing tool to help you get an interview. As trends for fashion change by the season, writing a winning fashion resume that gets you hired will never go out of style.

Function

A future employer receives your fashion resume in response to a job advertisement, so it is important that the resume matches the qualifications listed in the job description. Insert important fashion terminology for this position into your resume.
For example, an advertisement for a Senior Buyer, Sportswear, for a major department store would demand a knowledge of trend forecasting, budget analysis and inventory planning. Writing a fashion resume must include these industry terms for any person applying for the Senior Buyer position.

Types

There are three types of fashion resume styles: chronological, functional and combination. The chronological resume, which is the most popular resume style, lists your work history and skills in reverse chronological order. The functional resume is lists skills and expertise by category and highlights accomplishments over dates of employment. The fashion combination resume lists your accomplishments first, and then follows with a chronological list of work experience.

Features

A well-written fashion resume shows your knowledge of fashion terminology and style terms. Before writing your fashion resume, investigate your potential employers' design aesthetic, mission, style philosophy and targeted customer base. Tailor your accomplishments and work experience to mirror the ideal employee desired by your future bosses. Include any coursework, seminars and activities that feature your knowledge of fashion and desire to excel in the fashion industry.

Warning

Fashion organizations receive thousands of resumes in response to one job advertisement. For this reason alone, your resume should be no longer than one page. Be knowledgeable of notable designers and fashionable decades of interest. More than any other type of resume, a fashion resume must include information about your experience in specific types of fashion categories: ready-to-wear, couture, resort, men's fashion, women's fashion, junior fashion and children's wear.

Expert Insight

To avoid grammatical and spelling errors, have a former teacher or friend proofread your resume. In comparison to chronological resumes, functional resumes cover gaps in employment and focus the employer on skills instead of experience. Do not falsify your work history. Hiring managers will verify your experience and check references thoroughly. Fashion jobs are highly competitive and desired. Always send a brief cover letter with your resume.

Resources

• Fashion Executive Resume Example
• Fashion Retail Entry-Level Fashion Resume