Into the Fashion Industry Career Podcast

Maria Hedian: Fashion Career Educator & Industry Expert
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The Into the Fashion Industry Career Podcast helps students, recent graduates and early-career professionals learn how to start and grow a career in the fashion industry. Hosted by Maria Hedian, founder of Into the Fashion Industry and a fashion career educator with more than 20 years of industry experience, the podcast offers practical fashion career advice, industry insight and an inside look at how fashion careers actually work. Drawing from Maria’s experience at Ralph Lauren, behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week and in higher education, episodes explore fashion internships and jobs, networking, resumes, interviews, career development, industry roles and the unwritten rules of working in fashion. Whether you’re trying to land your first fashion internship, find a fashion job, understand different career paths in fashion or grow within the industry, Into the Fashion Industry gives you the strategies and context to navigate your career with more confidence.

  1. 11/19/2024

    What I Wish I Knew About Networking in Fashion: Top Fashion Networking Tips for Students and Aspiring Professionals

    Ever wonder how fashion industry leaders actually built their networks? Spoiler: It wasn't through perfectly polished elevator pitches. In this tell-all episode, I'm sharing the networking mistakes, awkward moments and unexpected wins that transformed my fashion career - including how a failed fashion school application led to becoming an educator at that same institution. You'll discover: Why hiding in the corner at fashion networking events actually taught me a valuable lessonHow a chance conversation at a museum exhibit landed my student a dream fashion magazine internshipThe exact cold email strategy I used to break into fashion event production with zero experienceWhy an "extinct" social media app became my secret weapon for fashion industry connectionsWhether you're an introvert dreaming of a fashion career, a student looking for your first industry job, or a fashion professional ready to level up, this episode reveals the unfiltered truth about building genuine connections in fashion. Keywords: #FashionCareer #NetworkingTips #FashionIndustryJobs #FashionInternships #FashionNetworking #FashionMentor #CareerAdvice #FashionProfessional #EmergingDesigners #FashionBusiness [Perfect for: Fashion Design Students, Fashion Business Majors, Emerging Fashion Professionals, Fashion Entrepreneurs, Fashion Industry Career Changers] ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://mariahedian.com/fashion-networking EPISODE MENTION: 8 Game-Changing Strategies to Supercharge Your LinkedIn Profile https://www.mariahedian.com/linkedintipsandtricks THE ITFI ROSTER Sign up for our ITFI Roster here: https://www.mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM @intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! @FashionCareerMentor Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

  2. 11/09/2024

    How to Land 2025 Fashion Internships: Insider Tips, Networking Strategies and Organization Tools for Success

    Ready to land one of the top 2025 fashion internships? In today’s episode, we’re diving into everything you need to know to make your application shine, network authentically and stay organized from start to finish. Whether you’re on the hunt for internships through job boards, networking or school resources, I’ve got strategies to help you stand out. I’ll share my personal experience (yes, including a follow-up fail that taught me the importance of staying organized) and walk you through creating a solid system to track applications and follow-ups. We’ll also cover how to build genuine industry connections on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, plus tips for nailing that follow-up email - complete with subject line ideas and a strong call to action to stay top-of-mind. And even if you don’t have every skill listed on a job description, I’ll show you how to leverage your unique experiences to showcase your potential. Hit play to equip yourself with the tools, confidence and strategies you need to get closer to your dream role in fashion. ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://mariahedian.com/2025-internships EPISODE MENTION: How to Create an Online Portfolio and Why It’s Important for Your Fashion Career https://www.mariahedian.com/onlineportfolio EPISODE MENTION: 8 Game-Changing Strategies to Supercharge Your LinkedIn Profile https://www.mariahedian.com/linkedintipsandtricks FREE RESOURCE: 40 Questions to Ask at Your Next Informational Interview Cheat Sheet https://mariahedian.com/cheatsheet CAREER LAUNCH KIT https://mariahedian.com/fashion-career-kit THE EMAIL CONTACT DATABASE https://www.mariahedian.com/resource-suite RESUME REVIEW & REVISION PREMIUM SERVICE https://services.mariahedian.com THE ITFI ROSTER https://www.mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! Follow me @FashionCareerMentor to learn more actionable steps, professional strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at all things fashion industry. Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

  3. 10/30/2024

    Ultimate Guide to Fashion Job Fair Prep: Networking Tips and Resume Strategies

    Welcome to the Into the Fashion Industry Career Podcast! In this episode, I provide you with essential strategies to maximize your experience at a fashion job fair. We start by discussing the importance of researching participating companies. Knowing who you want to connect with can set you apart. If you have a portfolio or lookbook, I emphasize its importance as a visual representation of your skills. Curate your work thoughtfully, focusing on quality over quantity. With many job fairs moving online, I share tips for effective virtual delivery. Learn how to maintain eye contact, engage your audience, and use notes without sounding scripted. After the fair, your job isn't done! We cover critical follow-up strategies, including sending personalized thank-you emails within 24 to 48 hours. Mention specific details from your conversations to reinforce your interest. We also discuss tracking your follow-ups to stay organized. This episode will help you feel confident the next time you attend a fashion job fair, giving you peace of mind and the chance to impress every single person you meet. Don’t forget to subscribe for more career tips, and if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://www.mariahedian.com/career-fair EPISODE MENTION: How to Create an Online Portfolio and Why It’s Important for Your Fashion Career https://www.mariahedian.com/onlineportfolio EPISODE MENTION: How to Write a Strong Fashion Resume That Shows Off Your Experience, Even If You’re Just Starting Out https://www.mariahedian.com/fashion-resume CAREER LAUNCH KIT https://mariahedian.com/fashion-career-kit THE EMAIL CONTACT DATABASE https://www.mariahedian.com/resource-suite RESUME REVIEW & REVISION PREMIUM SERVICE https://services.mariahedian.com THE ITFI ROSTER Sign up for our ITFI Roster here: https://www.mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! Follow me @FashionCareerMentor to learn more actionable steps, professional strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at all things fashion industry! Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

  4. 04/13/2024

    What is a Unique Value Proposition and How Can It Help You Stand Out in a Fashion Job Interview?

    As an experienced fashion educator, I've mentored countless young professionals who felt frustrated and discouraged trying to land their dream fashion job. The secret? Identifying and communicating your Unique Value Proposition. In this episode, I share the story of one of my former students and how uncovering her distinct background and experiences transformed her job search. You'll learn a step-by-step framework for reflecting on your proudest accomplishments, soliciting honest feedback and leveraging your natural strengths. Gain the confidence and tools to make your unique voice heard and set yourself apart from the competition. This is your key to unlocking incredible opportunities in the fashion industry. You'll walk away from this episode with a clear, step-by-step process for developing your own Unique Value Proposition.  So get ready to reflect, refine and OWN what makes you uniquely qualified. This is your chance to take your fashion career to the next level. ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://www.mariahedian.com/uvp MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR TEST https://www.mbtionline.com/en-US/How-it-works/Overview STRENGTHSFINDER QUIZ https://www.gyfted.me/personality-quiz/strengthsfinder-test-free CUSTOM RESUME REVIEW SERVICE Let's work together to create a powerful resume that gets you interviews. Open to new and returning customers! https://mariahedian.com/career-services THE ITFI ROSTER Sign up for our ITFI Roster here: https://www.mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! Follow me @FashionCareerMentor to learn more actionable steps, professional strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at all things fashion industry! Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

  5. 10/20/2023

    The Art of Cold Outreach: How to Build Valuable Connections to Advance Your Fashion Career

    Struggling to expand your professional network beyond immediate connections? Cold outreach is the secret weapon that can transform your fashion career. This episode tackles the art of reaching out to industry professionals you’ve never met before to build relationships. Learn how to identify and research potential mentors, collaborators, and opportunities. Discover tips for crafting personalized, compelling outreach messages to stand out. Gain insight into professional email structure and follow-up strategies to secure responses. Whether you’re looking to land jobs or gain insider intel, effective cold outreach unlocks doors. This episode breaks down the strategic process into actionable steps so you can approach cold outreach with confidence. Expand your network through thoughtful relationship-building outreach. Tune in and let me know how your cold outreach efforts start to change after listening to this episode! ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://mariahedian.com/coldoutreach EPISODE MENTION: Networking Strategies for Recent Grads: How to Use Your Network to Reach Your Career Goals https://mariahedian.com/careergoals CUSTOM RESUME REVIEW SERVICE Let's work together to create a powerful resume that gets you interviews! https://mariahedian.com/career-services THE ITFI ROSTER Sign up for our ITFI Roster here: https://mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! Follow me @FashionCareerMentor to learn more actionable steps, professional strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at all things fashion industry! Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

  6. 10/05/2023

    Networking Strategies for Recent Grads: How to Use Your Network to Reach Your Career Goals

    Struggling to launch your fashion career after graduation? Learn proven networking strategies to grow your professional community and reach your career goals.  This episode covers why networking is critical for recent grads, how to overcome hesitation, tips for informational interviews, identifying the 5 types of connections for fashion industry success, challenging yourself to attend monthly networking events, actively listening and following up after meetings, leveraging your passion as a newcomer, and more.  If you’re a recent fashion school graduate or industry entrant looking to fast-track your success through strategic relationship building, this episode is for you. Key Show Notes: Why networking is especially critical for recent fashion school graduates [2:30]How to visualize your career goals and relevant connections [5:15]The 5 types of connections that can advance your fashion career [7:30]Tips for attending networking events regularly [9:45]What informational interviews are and how to maximize them [12:30]Our 3 step framework for informational meetings: Listen, Ask, Follow Up [14:00]Valuable advice for industry newcomers [21:15] ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://www.mariahedian.com/careergoals FREE FASHION INDUSTRY 5 TYPES OF CONNECTIONS GUIDE https://mariahedian.com/connections EPISODE MENTION: 3 Strategies to Help You Set Goals for a Successful Fashion Career Path in 2023 https://www.mariahedian.com/smartgoals CUSTOM RESUME REVIEW SERVICE Let's work together to create a powerful resume that gets you interviews! https://mariahedian.com/career-services THE ITFI ROSTER Sign up for our ITFI Roster here: https://www.mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! Follow me @FashionCareerMentor to learn more actionable steps, professional strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at all things fashion industry! Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

  7. 06/09/2023

    How to Write a Strong Fashion Resume That Shows Off Your Experience, Even If You’re Just Starting Out

    In this episode, we continue talking about game-changing strategies to elevate your fashion resume and make it irresistible to hiring managers. Using the information you gathered from the last episode, we explore the impact of using specific action verbs. By using dynamic verbs you can showcase your go-getter attitude and vividly portray your achievements and responsibilities. These verbs add excitement and make your resume memorable. Next, we discuss the power of industry-specific terminology. Infusing your resume with these terms shows your dedication and fluency in the fashion industry's unique language. Lastly, we emphasize the importance of showcasing measurable metrics and results. By highlighting and assigning quantifiable impact to your experience,  you provide concrete evidence of your accomplishments and demonstrate your ability to deliver tangible results. As an added bonus, I created an in-depth guide to go along with both episodes and help you create a powerful resume. The guide includes an action word bank, examples of metrics to use to measure success and industry-specific terms. The link to download this guide is below.  ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://www.mariahedian.com/fashion-resume FREE RESUME WRITING GUIDE https://mariahedian.com/write-your-resume EPISODE MENTION: How to Identify the Most Important Aspects of Your Fashion Internship https://mariahedian.com/fashion-internship/ CUSTOM RESUME REVIEW SERVICE Let's work together to create a powerful resume that gets you interviews! https://mariahedian.com/career-services THE ITFI ROSTER Sign up for our ITFI Roster here: https://www.mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! Follow me @FashionCareerMentor to learn more actionable steps, professional strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at all things fashion industry! Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

  8. 05/25/2023

    How to Identify the Most Important Aspects of Your Fashion Internship to Make Your Resume Shine

    If you're wondering how to effectively highlight your internship experiences on your fashion resume, this episode has got you covered. It includes four guidelines for doing so, including reflecting on the experience, quantifying achievements, highlighting notable collaborations and identifying positive outcomes. It also emphasizes the importance of highlighting relevant skills, identifying specific projects and responsibilities and customizing your fashion resume to prioritize the skills that are most relevant to the specific job that you're applying for. It's all about tailoring your resume to the job you want! Creating a high-level resume is just the first step towards getting any job you set your mind to. Note: This episode is part 1 of a 2-part series on how to identify your fashion internship experiences and translate them to create a high-level resume that stands out among the competition. ▼ LINKS & RESOURCES ▼ EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://www.mariahedian.com/fashion-internship EPISODE MENTION: 3 Things You Must Do to Stand Out as a Fashion Intern https://www.mariahedian.com/fashion-internship CUSTOM RESUME REVIEW SERVICE Let's work together to create a powerful resume that gets you interviews! https://mariahedian.com/career-services THE ITFI ROSTER Sign up for our ITFI Roster here: https://www.mariahedian.com/roster-signup Make sure to fill out the form you receive in your email. If you don't, we can't add you to the roster! JOIN THE ITFI FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://mariahedian.com/itfi-group ITFI INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/intothefashionindustry ITFI IS ON TIK TOK! Follow me @FashionCareerMentor to learn more actionable steps, professional strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at all things fashion industry! Loved the episode? Have a question? Send me a text!

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The Into the Fashion Industry Career Podcast helps students, recent graduates and early-career professionals learn how to start and grow a career in the fashion industry. Hosted by Maria Hedian, founder of Into the Fashion Industry and a fashion career educator with more than 20 years of industry experience, the podcast offers practical fashion career advice, industry insight and an inside look at how fashion careers actually work. Drawing from Maria’s experience at Ralph Lauren, behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week and in higher education, episodes explore fashion internships and jobs, networking, resumes, interviews, career development, industry roles and the unwritten rules of working in fashion. Whether you’re trying to land your first fashion internship, find a fashion job, understand different career paths in fashion or grow within the industry, Into the Fashion Industry gives you the strategies and context to navigate your career with more confidence.

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