Building a network is important whether you're just starting out in the fashion industry to being there for 20 years! Through networking, you will build communications, connections, and personal development, illustrating this is a fundamental tool to use when in the industry, potentially leading to new job opportunities.
The Importance of Attending Events
Start Early:
Starting to network early in your career will enable you to grow your confidence in speaking to colleagues, clients, managers, and other professionals.
Don’t Be Nervous:
It can be daunting to start to network at the beginning of your journey, so why not start with your friends, friends of friends, classmates, and colleagues. This will help you get into the rhythm of speaking to others, giving you that needed confidence boost.
Visit Events:
Once you have built your confidence, go to as many events as possible.
Possible Fashion Events To Attend:
If you have the ability to show your face, do it. This can open so many potential doors for you, and even help you be discovered. Bear in mind that this is likely to happen once you get your foot in the door. So don’t be disheartened if you don’t feel confident, or have not progressed as far as you’d have thought. It all comes with time.
Don’t Stay In
Staying in could be one of the worst things to do. Ok, once every so often working by yourself is healthy, you need to recharge your social battery. But remember to get yourself out there, go work in a coffee shop or a coworking place. You are likely to be more inspired by more people around you from whom you can bounce ideas off. Also note, that this is a natural way of building connections, or that confidence is needed to then build connections.
Online
Don’t forget the wonderful tool of online platforms. You can communicate at any time, anywhere. This is also the perfect tool to keep in contact with friends, family, and connections that may not be in the same area.
Networking is definitely not short-term. Use the internet to keep in touch. After all, you’ve most likely worked hard to gain those connections, why lose them now?
All in all, you’ve got this. Bear in mind these simple steps will help push you towards gaining those important connections. If you are looking to join the Fashion Industry, why not visit our ‘Job Vacancies’ page to see if there are any jobs that appeal to you. Or if you’d like some more tips and tricks on getting into the Fashion industry, visit our blog page and have a read of our most recent blogs.
