Sue Lamoreaux – Managing Director at Solomon Web page (Picture credit score: Salomon Web page)
In case you have been working within the vogue trade for some time, then you definately in all probability already know that the most effective government recruiting agency is Solomon Web page. And, in the event you’re fortunate, you might have already met Sue Lamoreaux, one of many founding members of Solomon Web page.
This week’s weblog is devoted to Sue, who’s celebrating her 32nd yr with SP. She has been inserting candidates in roles starting from Presidents, VP’s, Administrators, Chief Business officers, Provide Chain, Advertising leads, International Sourcing, ECommerce, Chief Digital, Common Managers (GM’s), Product Improvement, Artistic Administrators, along with strategic mid-level positions throughout all disciplines within the vogue trade.
In 2022, and for the sixth yr in a row, Forbes named Solomon Web page as certainly one of America’s Finest Skilled Recruiting corporations.
I’ve personally identified Sue for years, ever since I used to be chair of the Vogue Dept. at FIT. Sue repeatedly gave of her time critiquing, advising and guiding graduating college students on their portfolios, resumes and interview preparation (she has been doing the identical for Parsons for the previous 10 years).
Not too long ago, I had an opportunity to sit down down with Sue to speak concerning the job market, present and future hiring developments within the vogue trade, and the way the trade is using College of Vogue for upskilling its personnel. Sue is a treasure trove of data, and I’m thrilled and honored that she has agreed to share her data with us. Right here goes:
Francesca: What are the primary jobs you recruit for within the vogue trade?
Sue: I recruit Design Administrators, VP of Design, Artistic Administrators, Merchandising, Planning, Digital Advertising, Model Advertising, Ecommerce, Technical Design, Gross sales, International Sourcing /Manufacturing, Provide Chain/Operation. These could be essentially the most frequent, however there are many different titles and classes in Vogue that I place.
Francesca: Are you able to give wage ranges for every job?
Sue: It is a difficult query for the reason that salaries fluctuate from metropolis/state, corporations, related advantages packages, a job’s particular duties, if it’s hybrid or on website (wage changes put up Covid). The new subject proper now’s wage fairness for individuals who are again in workplace versus those that are permitted to stay distant or hybrid (as commuting and tax conditions may end up in price variations). I’ve discovered that many candidates are assuming that they may nonetheless have the choice to be hybrid or distant when searching for a brand new job, however the majority of New York space corporations have a return to workplace directive and new workers will particularly have even much less flexibility than most. It’s at all times greatest to ask upfront about particular associated insurance policies, since this isn’t a negotiating level for many corporations.
Francesca: How essential goes to a vogue faculty for somebody searching for a job as a designer, a product developer, and so forth.?
Sue: Essential… Some corporations also have a baseline requirement for a bachelor’s diploma, or not less than an affiliate’s diploma, and there are a lot of competing candidates who’ve grasp’s levels that you may be competing with for candidate choice. However the related expertise are nonetheless crucial in your utility.
I do know many graduates of design faculties who wanted supplementary technical development coaching, since lots of the faculties don’t spend sufficient time within the semester honing the craft. I at all times advocate taking that wanted course with College of Vogue so that you will be assured in your expertise. Potential employers anticipate you to know garment development and specs earlier than you begin working and to not be studying/instructing on the job.
Francesca: Are there sure vogue faculties that employers worth most? And why?
Sue: There’s all kinds… FIT, Parsons, CSM, SCAD, Otis, RISD, Kent, Marist School, College of Cincinnati, amongst others. Typically it’s the data and endorsement of the college, or the hiring supervisor is an alumnus, or generally it has to do with the best way the packages are structured, they usually know the scholars have labored substantive internships all 4 years. Firms like after they can rent a graduate who has had work expertise at a model they know. And even keep on half time through the faculty yr, put up working in the summertime of junior yr work expertise. Model expertise issues rather more than a examine overseas program your junior yr of school, if you’re weighing out whether or not or not it’s price it or will make a distinction in your utility.
Francesca: For product growth positions, do corporations require palms on data of on-the-table expertise resembling sample making, stitching, and draping?
Sue: Sure, it’s essential for product growth individuals to have foundational data of garment development. Many occasions, they’re concerned within the match classes and it’s essential when they’re price, cloth capabilities, what’s going to work, and providing choices/options for higher pricing and so forth. Typically corporations forgo the designer and simply have a product developer who may very well be creating non-public label for his or her accounts and are adapting and modifying clothes for the shopper. They don’t at all times have to sketch, and plenty of occasions have an important abroad associate to work with.
Francesca: How essential is a portfolio in a job search?
Sue: A designer will need to have a portfolio; a pdf of labor that is able to go (and will be edited simply) and/or an internet site that’s straightforward to entry. Bear in mind, many could also be your web site from their cellphone, so make certain it’s straightforward to view from a cell machine.
Francesca: Are you able to present perception into what ought to be included in a portfolio for a design place?
Sue: It ought to be comprised of a number of parts: Pattern/aspirational boards exhibiting pictures, coloration, cloth and particulars. Illustrations are essential, flats and one thing technical to indicate you possibly can execute a tech pack. Moreover, pc work, Photoshop, illustrator is a baseline requirement for everybody! As quickly as your work is being considered, it takes an skilled hiring supervisor seconds to find out if he/she connects along with your model, your model messaging, and your technical accuracy. In the event that they don’t join, you in all probability received’t be requested to interview.
View UoF’s 9-part collection on how one can plan a stellar portfolio:
Francesca: How in demand is 3D design schooling within the trade?
Sue: Some corporations have invested closely in it and can solely interview candidates who’ve been educated on it, because it’s costly for them to prepare you and you’ll have a transition of time earlier than you might be proficient. So, if in case you have the chance to be taught it, it’s in your greatest curiosity to be taught it!
Francesca: Is agism a ’factor’ within the vogue trade?
Sue: Age and expertise are usually not one thing to cover! Skilled individuals are the managers and leaders of corporations. VP stage, SVP, Chief, President, CEO’s all want expertise as a way to have earned that place. With that mentioned, it’s crucial to remain updated on key expertise expertise and issues like trade developments and buying habits. Persevering with to teach your self ensures and protects your longevity within the trade.
Francesca: How arduous is it for somebody proper out of college to get a job?
Sue: Proper now, the hiring market is mushy, however individuals who have work expertise throughout school and have standout work of their portfolios, the fitting expertise corporations are in want of, and are searching for work within the rising disciplines, they’re nonetheless getting jobs. When you don’t get employed full-time, see if you may get an entry stage freelance job so you possibly can earn some work expertise and model to doc.
Francesca: What recommendation would you give somebody who is considering a design job within the vogue trade?
Sue: Get your schooling at the most effective place you possibly can, make certain you’re employed throughout faculty and set your expectations realistically. It’s possible you’ll not in the end be a runway designer, however you may simply as beneficial as a technical design/patternmaker, who’s the fitting hand to the Design Director. (i.e.: if the garment doesn’t match, the client isn’t shopping for it!).
College of Vogue’s lesson: Making a Swim Backside Tech Pack in Illustrator
Francesca: How can working with a recruiter assist me in my job search and the place can I’m going about making these contacts?
Sue: Working with an skilled recruiter is a large plus, however not each firm can pay for the service. Many corporations put up jobs on their very own web site and LinkedIn. Entry stage jobs are occasionally listed with recruiters and are addressed internally, usually. Typically I’ll get an entry stage project as a result of the interior recruiting has been unsuccessful, so at all times ask.
If you’ll be able to work with a recruiter for a selected search the profit will probably be that you’ll have steering for interview preparation, portfolio suggestions, resume suggestions, wage negotiation help, and so forth. Honesty, it is vitally essential on this partnership. Please know that if in case you have already submitted your resume to an organization by yourself, your recruiter will probably be blocked from representing you for that function.
Francesca: What are some issues I ought to make sure to spotlight in my resume, cowl letter, and portfolio that employers look out for? And the way can I make myself stand out to an employer when I’m certainly one of so many candidates making use of for a job?
Sue: They search for related expertise to their model identification and the particular place they’re recruiting for. Analysis the corporate and say one thing about them. Have a look at their job put up. For instance, if they need 3D expertise and also you don’t have it, you in all probability received’t get flagged to interview. Or in case your portfolio work is so totally different than their aesthetic, you is probably not chosen.
Francesca: What recommendation would you give to somebody occurring an preliminary interview?
Sue: Bear in mind, first interviews are nonetheless predominantly video. Be ready for that. Just be sure you can add every little thing easily and rapidly if you are talking. You should definitely load no matter video format the corporate is utilizing to your pc properly earlier than the interview, so it’s able to go (I’ve 5 totally different manufacturers loaded on my pc, so don’t assume that everybody makes use of, Zoom) And naturally the apparent, analysis the corporate!
You should definitely subscribe to the Solomon Web page Weblog, the place you’ll discover a lot of free suggestions:
Francesca: What’s your outlook for the way forward for employment inside the vogue trade? Which sectors do you expect will develop and which do you assume could decline?
Sue: Advertising remains to be the largest division for vogue corporations. In search of work on this space and the entire subsets (i.e., model advertising, digital advertising, efficiency advertising, social, ecommerce, communication, and so forth.) provides you a greater likelihood of discovering work. Some departments, resembling gross sales, have shrunk (however not gone away) as extra corporations are direct-to-consumer (DTC), though there nonetheless is a necessity for good salespeople to be represented in a brick & mortar setting.
Many because of Sue for sharing her experience with our UoF subscribers and followers. Right here is Sue’s contact information must you need to thank her your self:
Susan Lamoreaux
Salomon Web page
P (212) 824-1580 x2582
C (908) 451-5537
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