7 Questions You’ll be Asked at Your Fashion Job Interview

Ever wondered how to show that YOU are the perfect fit for that fashion job? We’ve got you covered! In this article we answer the most common questions to guide you through your upcoming interview.

Q What/who is your fashion inspiration?

Do your homework and try to come up with something more original than feeling inspired by Coco Chanel. Flaunt your knowledge of fashion history and current trends.

Also, be ready for the follow-up questions. What exactly is it that inspires you about Coco Chanel?

Q How would you describe your personal style?

Now you can really show your personality, BUT also express the connection between your personal style and the feel of the brand you are applying to. Don’t say your style is “yoga pants all day, every day” if you are applying to Louis Vuitton.

Some keywords to help you describe your style:

Modern, chic, playful, casual, edgy, natural, eclectic, boho, romantic, layered, feminine, refined, elegant, quirky, gypsy, androgynous, relaxed, retro, colorful, futuristic, elegant, preppy, tomboy, vintage, minimal, outdoorsy, funky, effortless, experimental.

Ideally you should come up with a catch phrase or a few sentences that make your fashion style sound unique

— like “Business casual meets French vintage” or “elegant and classy with a bit of quirkiness”.

Q Why do you want to work in fashion/at our company?

BONUS TIP

The good approach is to keep your answers short and to the point. Don’t go on rambling about all fashion shows you’ve been to and don’t describe every piece of clothing you own. Instead, you can intentionally leave some ‘lanks’ in your answers that will spark the interviewer’s interest and make him or her ask you more and more questions._ Remember - interview is a dialogue, not your graduation speech.

Q Which stores do you love to shop at?

This is tricky. Should you say that you shop only at the [brand you are applying to]?

Probably not, but be sure to mention it among your favorites. If the company’s product is outside of your price range, you can honestly say that you would love to buy their apparel/cosmetics in the future but cannot afford it now. Nothing wrong with that.

If you love thrifting - let the interviewer know as well.

Q How would you define fashion?

Using Cambridge’s dictionary or Wikipedia to answer this question is not the best idea.

Get inspired by these definitions of fashion and come up with your own.

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” — Miuccia Prada

“Fashion is only the attempt to realize art in living forms and social intercourse.” – Sir Francis Bacon

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” —Bill Cunningham

Q If you could raid anyone’s closet, who would it be?

Again, do some research. Try to remember celebrities whose closets would be worth raiding. Be prepared to name your favorite pieces from their wardrobe. Easy.

Q What do you think are the future trends in fashion?

Good news - you don’t need to be a fortune teller to answer this question. Just mention trends that are already happening and make an educated guess about what will come up in the future. Think sustainability, androgynous fashion, etc.

You can also say that fashion is cyclical and choose some of your favorite old-school trends that you would want to make a comeback.

In this article we covered industry-specific questions, but don’t forget the usual ones like “what is your greatest strength/weakness” and “where do you see yourself in 5 years”. Make sure you also have some questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Here are some go-to suggestions:

• What are the usual day-to-day responsibilities for this role?

• How does this role fit in the brand’s broader strategy?

• What are the next steps in my application process?

• Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?

• What are the opportunities for professional development?

But the best approach here is - do your research about the company beforehand. You might come up with some really original and memorable questions that will show your knowledge and interest in the brand.

Also really listen to what the interviewer tells you during the interview. He might share some information about the team or the role that will leave space for questions.

And don’t forget to dress for the occasion - here are some tips for choosing the right outfit for your interview.

Go get ‘em!