As part of London College of Fashion’s autumn Activity Week, LCF Careers
recently ran multiple activities to help students build their employability
and professional skills. Over the week, approximately 1,200 students
participated in the events with 82 students attending the CV checks drop-in
service. LCF’s Activity Week offers students the opportunity to participate
in co-curricular workshops, explore their wellbeing and strengthen their
transferable skill sets. The LCF Careers team provided a range of tailored
events discussing professionalism, interview preparation, assessment
centres and developing a portfolio.
The College hosted 25 brands and recruitment agencies covering all
aspects of employment, from part-time work and placements to graduate
schemes. Among the companies present were Kering and Alexander McQueen,
Harrods, Farfetch, H&M and COS, Harvey Nichols, KWD Recruitment and Ted
Baker.
LCF is proud to help students develop awareness and personal style in
their work, providing them clarity about their career values and supporting
their professional development. The fair gave students the opportunity to
quiz companies about progression within the brand, with many offering
advice about standing out from the crowd during the application stages.
Immersing yourself in a brand’s culture was a recurring theme among the
industry guests present on the day, with Julian Ramirez, Head of
Recruitment for Reiss, said to LCF; “It’s about understanding the business,
doing your research on the company and being comfortable with what you’re
going to say. Be specific about what you want. It comes across in an
interview and this clarity can really help.”
Tara Manteghi, Recruitment Specialist for Kurt Geiger’s Head Office, was
quick to mention to LCF the importance of internships and work experience
as a means of professional development,
“If students are working part-time in retail, it’s really good to get in
touch with the company they’re working for and ask about work experience.
They will all have a head office.” As Kurt Geiger, like many others, are “a
company who recognise hard work and like to promote from within” Manteghi
stressed that creating developmental opportunities “like this could really
help your future applications.”
Most companies understand that interviews are often nerve-racking and
challenging to prepare for, but Zalando’s Team Lead for the Talent
Acquisition Team, Meleda Atalay, reminded students that “It’s really
important that candidates also interview us, we want to know if they are
asking the right questions”. Meleda felt that identifying what you want,
the companies you want to work for and the values you hold will help you
“fit with the right brand”, and put importance on the “need to know what
they want when communicating with brand representatives.”
Photos: courtesy of London College of Fashion, UAL
