Real life stories
Chloe’s a fashionista
Thanks to revamping her CV with some help from a careers adviser, aspiring fashion designer Chloe Studd, 22, from Lowestoft, is now on her way to her dream career in fashion.
After finishing university with a degree in Textile Design for Fashion, Chloe was struggling breaking into the highly competitive fashion design industry as all the jobs on offer seemed to require experience or an internship. Not knowing what to do, she looked for help.
“My careers adviser was a great help,” Chloe said. “She suggested I try to get a job in fashion retail in my home town to give me some experience, as well as earning money rather than working in a bar, which seemed to make sense.”
Chloe received help developing her CV, looking for jobs and interview techniques and, as a result, ended up with two jobs to choose from!
She started work with Sawdust, an independent designer shop in Lowestoft, as manager where she gained experience in all areas of fashion retail and management. “I really enjoyed this job and got some great experience,” she said. “One of the highlights was going to London on a buying trip where I was the main buyer for womenswear, shoes and accessories.”
However, a turn of good luck a few months later saw a relative working for a member of staff at designer Boden. Explaining Chloe’s desire to get into design, it was suggested Chloe forward her CV for consideration for a seven week work placement – Chloe was successful and she was offered the work.
Following the successful placement Chloe was offered a full-time permanent job with Boden as Print Design Assistant – and she is loving her new role.
Chloe continued:
“I’m really glad I went to get careers advice because it’s resulted in me getting a job in retail, which no doubt helped me secure my job with Boden thanks to the experience it offered. I would recommend to anyone looking for careers advice and support to go out and talk to the professionals.”
Adviser Donna Massey, who helped Chloe, said: “This is always a busy time for young people as they consider their next step after finishing college or university. And for people like Chloe, who have just left full time education and not sure what their next move should be, sometimes all they need is the time to talk through their options.
“Often, it is a person’s CV that can let them down and as this is the first communication individuals have with potential employers, it is important to get it right. Whether looking at getting into work, changing career or moving up the career ladder, getting careers advice can help people achieve their goals.
To find out more about how the National Careers Service can help you, visit nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk or call 0800 100 900.
Contacting the National Careers Service
Friendly and practical advice helping you take the next step...
Are you the next success story?
We have a number of ways for you to get in touch and we would love to hear about how things are going and what you have been able to achieve! 
