All About Networking

me and 2 FBU colleagues at the Fashion Business Uncovered Conference that we organized

Natives to the fashion industry we will be the first to tell you that networking with fashion industry professionals is far from your typical networking experience. With the right preparation, you can and will succeed! Here are our tips on networking with the big guys:

1. Who wore what?

Wear a look that represents you. If you feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing, it will show and you will really shine to potential employers! With that said, keep it professional. Nothing too revealing, and certainly don’t wear something simply on the basis of garnering attention!

2. “Hello, my name is…”

The first words that come out of your mouth are crucial and the delivery is even more so! Make sure to keep eye contact, and articulate your words. Introducing yourself with your full name, along with a firm (but not too strong!) right-handed handshake screams professionalism.

3. Elevator pitch

Have a pre-prepared two minute speech about yourself that you can refer to at a moment’s notice. What are some key elements about yourself that you want to communicate to people you’re networking with? Paint a picture of who you are, but keep it straight to the point and unique! Hopefully, by sharing this, you might find some similarities or topics of conversation with the person you’re speaking with!

4. Here you go… Bring business cards, and make sure to hand them out to the people that you speak to! There’s a much higher chance they will remember who you are, and when you reach out to them in the future, they will most likely respond! 5. Staying in touch Ask the professionals you meet for permission to contact them in the future - whether it be by email or LinkedIn - stay in touch! 6. Follow up! If you mentioned something to a professional that requires a follow up conversation, FOLLOW UP. This can include more questions you said you had, or something you wanted to share with them! Who knows, maybe you maybe you'll end up working for this professional in the future!