Paul Smith

Megan Ryan
Paul Smith Careers

Strengths
• I find myself to be very independent in certain situations
• I have the basic life skills needed
• I know how to spend my money wisely
• I have work experience that will help me get a job
Weakness
• I get bored very easily and feel like I need to be doing
something all the time
• I can be lazy at times
Opportunities
• Apprenticeship
• University
• Travel
• New jobs
Threats
• Not achieving the right grade
• Missing friends and family
• Expenses are too high

Visual
Merchandiser
Stylist
Personal
Shopper
Garment
Technologist
Job
Roles
Designer
Photographer
Marketing
Manager
Fashion
Journalist

Career plan
I like to spend my time around my
friends and family. I also enjoy going
on holiday to exotic countries when I
am not working. I also enjoy going
shopping and eating out. If I have a
successful career in the future I would
like to be a boss of a big company. I
would also like to be financially stable
and be able to afford to go on holiday
multiple times of the year to live my
best possible life. My 5 year goal is to
have a good job that I enjoy doing
everyday. I would like to have a nice
comfortable apartment with a nice
little car. I would also like to be
travelling within my job and having
good work to lifestyle balance. I would
like to get an apprenticeship in
fashion business after I complete my
two years of college. I would like to
work for somebody such as Next,
Arcadia and Paul Smith they are big
brands and can take me far in the
future. In order to achieve this I need
to finish my college course, Fashion
Business and Retail Diploma and
apply for the apprenticeship that I
want to go for.

Visual Merchandiser
Key roles and responsibilities
As Visual Merchandiser, you will be pairing up with other teams such
as buying and marketing to come up with the ideas of what will be
happening such as window and in-store displays. You will have to
research about current and future trends and meeting with business,
sales and retail managers to discuss sales strategies. You will have to
assemble and take apart with visual displays in store. You will use
space and lighting to give a full effect and have to source materials
like models and props.
Personal and professional characteristics
You need to be creative and have a strong imagination. Good design
skills to create product displays are key in being a Visual
Merchandiser with technical drawing skills. Having IT skills to use
CAD software will benefit the job and you must have some attention to
detail.
Entry requirements
The typical entry requirement to be able to peruse a carer in Visual
Merchandising is a degree or diploma in graphic design, fine art,
spatial design, interior design, business studies or retail
management. It will be helpful if you have experience through
internships and to develop a portfolio of relevant design work.
Salary expectations
An assistant visual merchandiser salary will normally start between
£12,000 and £18,000, this depends on the business and the scale of
the business. An experience or management role can expect starting
salaries of £20,000 to £30,000. if you work at director or
international levels can earn up to £45,000 to £60,000. A Visual
Merchandiser typically works 35-40 hours per week and early
mornings and late nights are normal.
I think this role would be very suitable for me as I am creative and
have a strong imagination . I like the idea of my own work
attracting people to come to and purchase the products.

Buyer
Key roles and responsibilities
You will be analysing consumer buying patterns and predicating future trends. You
will attend trade fairs, in the UK and overseas, to select and assemble a new
collection of products. A key responsibility will be presenting new ranges to senior
retail managers and reacting to changes in demand and logistics. Retail buyers
will meet suppliers and negotiating terms of contract. You will be receiving feedback
from customers and participating in promotional activities. When new staff join, you
may have to train and mentor the junior staff.
Personal and professional characters
You will need commercial awareness, creative flair and excellent analytical skills.
You will need to be creative and have the ability to recognise future trends. Having
good communication skills will come in handy as you will be speaking to hundreds
of people in your career. Due to the amount of times that you will be presenting, you
will need to have a lot of confidence and presentation skills and the ability to make
decisions under pressure.
Entry requirements
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in retail or business
can equip you with a greater commercial awareness and therefore increase your
chances of getting a job. Graduate programmes are open to those with a 2:2 or above.
Salary expectations
Starting salaries for junior buyers are in the region of £18,000 to £25,000. with
experience you can earn £25,000 to £45,000 and senior retail byers earn between
£45,000 and £70,000+. These salaries can vary due to the business, location, and the
product type. Some of the companies also offer benefits like retail discount, a
company car and private healthcare. Due to retails buyers often working on
deadlines they my work beyond 9am to 5pm. Early starts or late finishes may be
especially common when travelling to trade fairs or fashion shows. Although it is not
common freelance work is possible, especially in London, once you have experience.
Career breaks are not typical, but it depends largely on the organisation.
I think I would enjoy this career as it mixes a range of skills such as analytical and
communications skills which I think that that I have. I am very confident and this
role describes my personality .

Stylist
Responsibilities
You will work on both still life and models and assist on set during shoots
including steaming, pinning and fitting clothes or products. You must
accurately follow styling guidelines and work collaboratively with models,
photographers, studio coordinators, content managers, producers and
creative directors. You need to develop up to date knowledge of designers,
brands and trends. You may need to ensure sample stock is not mishandled
and that you provide expert knowledge on products and styling ensembles.
Personal and professional characteristics
You must have an eye for visual composition and proportion with commercial
awareness including a good knowledge of designers, brands and trends. The
ability to meet deadlines is a must in the fashion retail industry as well as
having good communication skills and organisation, time-management and
project-management skills. Having the skills to use InDesign, Photoshop,
Capture One and Microsoft will be necessary.
Entry requirements
Academic qualifications are not as important as creative and practical skills.
It's possible to become a stylist without a degree or HND. However, some
employers will require applicants to have studied towards a relevant
qualification.
Salary
An employed junior stylist can expect to earn roughly £18,000 to £20,000 and
senior stylist earn higher salaries of between £23,000 and £30,000. Employed
stylists usually work between the hours of 9am and 6pm. During seasonal
peaks, and to meet deadlines, additional hours may be required. Part-time
work is also possible.
I think this job role ties in to my personality as I am very creative and enjoy putting an outfit
together. I also enjoy meeting new people and working as a team. I can meet deadlines and enjoy
making other people happy and comfortable.

Fashion Designer
Responsibilities
You will be creating or visualising an idea and producing a design by
hand or using computer aided design. You will have to keep up to date
with emerging fashion trends as well as general trends relating to
fabrics, colours, shapes. The role includes planning and developing
ranges and working with other in the design team, such as buyers and
forecasters, to develop products to meet a brief. Sourcing, selecting and
buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments and developing a
pattern that is cut and sewn into sample garments.
Professional and personal characteristics
You need o be creative and have an eye for colour and a feel for fabric
and materials. The ability to generate ideas and concepts is a needed
skill for the role of a fashion designer as well as technical skills
including pattern cutting. You need to have knowledge in garment
technology and have the ability to negotiate and to influence others.
Salary
Starting salaries in the fashion industry are often low. Design assistants
may start at around £16,000 to £17,000. A junior designer can expect to
earn approximately £25,000. Typical salaries at senior at senior
designer and creative director level range from £42,000 to £85,000+. The
salaries depend on geographical location and the type of employer
Qualifications
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the
following subjects will increase your chances: art and design,
clothing technology, fashion, fashion marketing and buying,
graphic design, knitwear and textiles.
Foundation degree graduates face increased competition from BA
graduates.
I also think I would be happy with this role as I get to make clothes for
people and make them happy. I also get a way to get my creative flair
across and express my imagination through art.

Photographer
Roles and responsibilities
You will be seeking out appropriate photographic subjects and opportunities and
carrying out research in preparation for a shoot. You will be liaising with other
professionals, including graphic designers, writers, gallery managers, picture
researchers, commissioning editors and art directors. You will be arranging still
life objects, products, scenes, props and backgrounds.
Professional and Personal characteristics
You will need to have excellent technical skills, using digital and non-digital
cameras and industry-standard software such as Photoshop. Having a creative
flair and a have the ability to work under pressure, juggle workload and meet
dead-lines is a must have in this industry.
Salary
In full-time employment, starting salaries can start from £12,000 to £22,000.
Salaries can increase to anywhere from £25,000 to £65,000. the top end of the
scale is typically for those who have a strong reputation. Hours can be long and
unpredictable and may be led by demand. For example, wedding photographers
will be at their busiest in the peak spring/summer wedding season and sports
photographers will expect to work weekends and evenings to cover fixtures and
events.
Qualifications
It is possible to get into this profession without a degree, but in many instances
having a degree or equivalent professional qualification is an advantage.
You could study for a degree in the following relevant subjects: art and design,
digital imaging, fine art, graphics, media studies, photography.
The content of photography courses varies considerably. Some have a strong
emphasis on fine art and the study of photography as an artistic endeavor,
whereas others have a more commercial focus and cover managing a business,
professional ethics and marketing.
In comparison to the other job roles, photography does not appeal to me as much.
I like the be hands on with my work and trying different things. I like meeting
new people and working on larger scale projects.