Lauren Hunter

After graduating, I started the long process of applying for jobs. It was a lot harder than I thought! Eventually I landed a job on a graduate scheme for buying and merchandising. It wasn’t my dream job, but I wasn’t in the position to turn it down. I resigned after five months and it was the best decision I ever made.

People thought I was unwise to leave, but it really wasn’t what I wanted to do, and I was determined to find a job that I loved. It paid off, as I’m now working as a creative assistant for Dorothy Perkins in London!

The main part of my job role is to organise and assist on photoshoots, but I do a variety of tasks, including casting models, researching photoshoot concepts and organising the retouching of images. Every day is different, which is why I love my job!

If you want to get into the industry, get as much practical experience as possible. Approach companies, apply for internships, and use your summers wisely. It can be hard to land a great internship, and even harder to fund it. This can be very off-putting but once you have that experience on your CV it’ll be worth it!

When applying for employment the main thing I noticed was that for even an entry-level job they expect you to have so much experience. Getting this on your CV will not only improve your knowledge and skills but it will definitely make you stand out from your competitors.

Another tip is to network – LinkedIn is your best friend! Now that I work in the fashion industry it’s surprising how many people you meet and how they are all connected. Always present yourself well and be kind to everyone – you never know when or where you’ll meet them again.