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stylesmart.com
is pleased to welcome Laurie Turner of
Work Pool Inc. as Contributing Editor to
stylesmart.com's Retail Consulting Services.
 Upon
graduation from the Rhode Island School of Design,
Work Pool Inc. founder, Laurie Turner, proceeded
to throw herself into the proverbial Lion's Den
and experience every facet of the fashion industry
from design, sourcing,
production, trend spotting and retail strategy.
An entreprenuer with an extensive background and
many talents, Laurie launched Work
Pool Inc. in 1997.
Work Pool Inc. is an employment placement service
catering to the fashion industry. Work Pool Inc.
offers services for free lance and full-time work
throughout the apparel market. Leverging her existing
network along with building a broad base of industry
contacts, Laurie is pleased to offer stylesmart
members the opportunity to call on Work Pool Inc.
for all types of employment placement and sourcing
requests.
Seek
& Find: 'Great Co. Seeks Fabulous Find!'
By
Laurie Turner, Work Pool Inc.
Today,
we're more aware of the ebbs and flows of the
current job market. The Apparel Industry, like
many other industries, has been adversely affected
by the past year's economical, political and social
events. Despite these events, our lives must go
on. People continue to work and companies continue
to operate--- and, yes, we all still need to dress
ourselves.
Whether
your view is from the side of the employee, which
entails finding, having, holding or losing a job,
or from the side of the employer, which requires
searching, offering, filling, keeping or eliminating
employees and their jobs. It may all seem like
one big gambling game, where the risk becomes
greater than the reward. Well, good news, Las
Vegas it's not!
I've
been servicing the Apparel Industry with Freelance
and Full-time work for the past four yours. Before
that, I was both an employee (a designer actually)
looking for that "perfect job" (and
please note, I use the word "perfect"
loosely- you all know what I mean) and later an
employer looking to hire that "one special
person". Based on the experiences I had back
then and what I do now, I believe I can offer
some helpful tips with respect to the search process
- tips that can lead you to finding that "special
person" or "special job" without
losing your patience or your mind.
To
the Potential Employer - I know it
sounds silly, but, it's such an obvious thing
many forget to do it; it is important to clearly
describe the job you are trying to fill. Writing
it down will give you an easy and functional check
list to use when interviewing candidates. Be sure
to include the following:
-
Key responsibilities
- Salary
and negotiating points
- Management
and direct supervisor
- Expectations:
6 months, 1 year, 3 years, etc.
- Growth
opportunities
- Travel
obligations
- Hours
- begin and end time, weekends, etc.
I
find the one limiting factor that employers make
is focusing too much on a candidate's resume.
True, experience and past work history are important
in any job but, eagerness, ambition, having a
positive attitude and being a team player are
just a few qualities critical to a lasting employer/employee
partnership.
To
the Potential Employee - Here's a bit
of information for you to absorb and apply in
your next job-hunt.
The
Company: When evaluating a potential
employer or company, keep an open mind. It's easy
to prejudge based on what a friend may have told
you or what you may have "heard" through-out
the market about a particular company. It is your
responsibility to take that information and store
it in your head until you do you own investigation.
To make your research count:
-
Meet employees, when possible - contact friends
of friends...
- Read
the trades - WWD, Apparel News, Accessories
Magazine
- Shop
the store(s)
- Talk
to vendors
The
Salary: Be honest with yourself with
regard to what salary you need. Remember, it is
not just the salary that is involved in being
happy in a job. There are other elements involved
that are just as important as the money. The stability
of the company, atmosphere, location, product,
work hours, team players and growth potential
all should come into play when considering whether
or not to take a job.
The
Resume: Be sure to include the following:
A summary of previous employment, experience and
education. Remember that a resume should not be
a novel, nor should it leave the potential employer
wondering who you are and why you sent it and
are subsequently sitting in their office. Keep
it precise, focused, updated and under 2 pages.
I believe, based on the "match-making"
done here through Work Pool Inc., that your strongest
opportunity to sell yourself to a hiring company
is by actually meeting with them. So don't give
up if the response to submitting a resume hasn't
shown results.
Pursue
and stay positive!
©
Work Pool Inc.
To
learn more about Work
Pool Inc. and how they can help contact
Laurie Turner at 212-874-3319
or email workpool@hotmail.com
- be sure to tell them that stylesmart sent you!
Retailer
Registration
Designer Registration
Archives
- Read more from stylesmart's Retail Consulting
Services
Work
the Room: Ten Trade Show Tips - 3/02
Building
your Brand on a Budget- 2/02
Recession-Proofing
your Business - 1/02
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