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The process of applying for an internship is similar to any entry-level role application — the recruitment process generally requires a candidate to produce a written application, from resumes or CVs and a cover letter or short written application, to creative portfolios, interviews and thorough research on the company.
To help guide junior talent in their application process for a fashion internship, BoF Careers accumulates advice from career coaches, industry experts and recent interns to assist in your entry-level role application today.
Do Your Homework
Before making contact with a company or sending in an application, it is essential you do your research on the business, from its history and core values, to its target consumers, key messaging and leadership.
“These people are looking for [applicants] that are invested in their company,” says Cambridge Dantzler, former digital merchandising intern at Louis Vuitton and Howard University student. “They need to know that you understand what it is they expect, what they pride themselves on; they want to know you’re serious, not just about an internship, but an internship at their company.”
Researching companies can help you understand what you value in an organisation. Deloitte’s Welcome to Gen-Z report found 77 percent of respondents stated it’s important they work at organisations whose values align with their own. You can then refer back to these values in your application.
“When I was doing my research on Louis Vuitton, I saw that they had a commitment not just to sustainability, but to diversity, equity and inclusion,” adds Dantzler. “Doing my research not just prepared me, but it drove me to do even better.”
The amount of resources online can be overwhelming, from company websites or employer branding pages to articles or interviews if the business and its leaders are high profile. As a result, manage your research time carefully.
“You can become consumed, spending 12 hours a day, seven days a week, trying to do this, and you’re going to make yourself ill and resent this industry,” says Joy Campbell, brand partnerships director at Graduate Fashion Foundation. “Treat it like a nine-to-five: break for lunch, make sure you’ve got a clear, concise plan of what you’re doing with your day.”
Alongside understanding the business at hand, keep up-to-speed with the area of the industry you want to work in. A comprehensive understanding of your field will impress at interview.
Alongside understanding the business at hand, keep up-to-speed with the area of the industry you want to work in. A comprehensive understanding of your field will impress at interview.
“Being well-versed in your segment of the industry, culture and contemporary fashion is extremely valuable and can empower your critical eye and emerging voice,” says Kirstin Newell, a student at Drexel University and social media intern at a Chicago-based retail platform.
