You’re about to interview for a fashion design job. What are some common mistakes you should avoid?

Putting too much work in your resume to show that you are flexible and productive is a common mistake. It's good to show a lot of different skills, but too many pieces can make your best work less impressive and make the reviewer feel overwhelmed. It's better to choose a few of your most interesting projects that show off your vision, creativity, and skill. You should carefully pick each piece to show off a different skill or accomplishment. This will make sure that your portfolio is organized, clear, and easy to remember. This shows that you can edit and set priorities, which is a very important skill in fashion design where every detail counts.

It's not smart to go into an interview without thinking about what questions you might be asked about the company's brand, collections, and design theory. Interviewers often ask applicants to comment on a new collection or suggest ways to make it better. This is done to see how well they can think critically and understand the brand. Not giving well-thought-out answers can show that you are not really interested or researching. To avoid this, look at the brand's newest work, get to know their unique styles, and be ready to have deep conversations about their designs and how you could add to them. This amount of preparation and participation can help you stand out as a passionate and smart candidate.

A common mistake is to think too highly of the company's style and dress in a way that goes against their brand. It's good to show off your own style, but what you wear should also show that you agree with the brand's aesthetic and beliefs. For instance, if you're meeting with a brand that is known for its simple designs, wearing clothes that are too loud or from all over the place could make it look like you don't fit in. You can avoid this by picking an outfit that combines your own style with the company's. This will show that you respect their brand identity and can contribute to it in a way that fits your own design tastes.

It's normal to feel attached to your work, but it can be a big mistake to be too defensive when you get feedback or questions about your resume. Interviewers may question your design choices or suggest options not to put you down, but to learn more about how you think, how flexible you are, and how willing you are to grow. Being defensive can show that you can't take comments, which is an important part of working with others to make something new. Instead, be open and interested in constructive criticism. This will show that you want to improve your craft and see feedback and teamwork as chances to do so.