Do you ever wonder why studying Fashion Management and Promotions at Humber is a great experience? There are tons of reasons behind it, but the most interesting one is that our classroom sessions are full of excitement. Live chats with industry experts are my personal favorite. Just the other day, we had a thought provoking conversation with Jamil El Hajj (Assistant General Manager at Hugo Boss). In this session Jamil gave us few important tips regarding careers in the fashion retail industry.
Jamil studied Law in Lebanon, then in 2013, he moved to Canada and enrolled in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising at RCC Institute of Technology. Jamil started his career as a part time sales associate with Burberry, and within the span of 3 years he built a successful career to his current position as Assistant General Manager. According to him you do not need a strong background in fashion to be effective. It’s all about confidence and putting efforts together. Deciding what you want and what your style is, luxury or mass produced fashion, would be the first step in building your career.
Jamil shared few great guidelines for students who are about to enter the workforce. By this time most of us are beginning to look for jobs, and the first advice he gives us is while applying online, attach an additional document: this document could be your portfolio, or even some research about the company’s recent or upcoming activities and how they interest you. This extra effort is what will set your resume apart from the hundreds of other applicants.
From his experience as a Manager, he shared an important tip regarding interviews. Firstly, dressing reflects your attitude, so always pay attention towards your interview attire and dress neatly. Secondly, gather information about the salary standards in the industry and put a price on yourself. Also, your performance contributes a lot if you want to move up in a company. From his experience, Jamil suggests that we make notes while on training in order to work more effectively and be successful in retail. Finally, never hesitate to ask questions to facilitate your own learning about the company and the business!
