My advice is to always think about whether an employer is a good fit for you and your goals — not just whether you’re a good fit for them.
More about Arya
Hi! My name is Arya, and I recently graduated from NTU with a BA in Fashion Management.
As soon as I started my second year, I was exposed to all kinds of placement opportunities. My course team was extremely helpful and supportive in finding the right one, and I used to get weekly emails with upcoming placement roles for a diverse mix of brands. My tutors and NTU Employability helped me refine my CV and cover letters, and their advice was wonderful.
NTU’s Careers Fairs were also especially useful for meeting employers in person. My advice is to always think about whether an employer is a good fit for you and your goals — not just whether you’re a good fit for them.
I applied to Gymshark, ME+EM, Marks & Spencer, Nike, Urban Outfitters and more. But my dream was always to follow in the footsteps of my favourite TV character, Rachel from Friends, and work for Ralph Lauren. When I secured the role of Buying Admin Assistant with them, I was ecstatic!
It was my dream job, but there were still challenges. I had to commute from Nottingham to London, and my team were primarily based in Geneva, Switzerland. This was difficult, but I would not trade this experience for anything else.
Throughout my placement at Ralph Lauren, I developed tonnes of skills, and connected with professionals across the world. I would highly recommend doing a placement, whether it’s for a year or just a few months. It builds your personal and professional skills, and can make a real difference to your career prospects.
Arya’s top tips
- Be passionate and enthusiastic. Passion and hard work can take you to incredible places!
- Stay organised. Keep track of your applications using a spreadsheet with all the details, including date, location, duration, salary, follow-up notes, recruiter / hiring manager, etc.
- Customise, customise, customise. Always tailor your CV and cover letter for the job and company you are applying for. Trust me, this goes a very long way and makes you stand out.
- Network. Visit career fairs, join industry panels and connect with people on LinkedIn. Ask people in the field or role of your interest what they like about their job, what keeps them motivated, and what advice they would give to someone at the start of their career.
- Stay informed. Keep up with current news about the company or industry you want to work in.