A career in the fashion industry doesn’t have to be as a designer or as a ramp model if what you want is to be in the midst of the glamorous seasonal trends. One of the most exciting jobs to land on in the world of fashion is that of a retail buyer.

Touted as the real brains behind the decisions that a fashion company makes for the coming season, a retail buyer is a trend spotter, who keeps track of current and emerging customer demands in the garments and accessories market. Many find the retail buying career as both fulfilling and financially rewarding. A retail buyer simply has to have knowledge and knack for analyzing what’s the next explosive product to introduce in the fashion business.

Retail Buying Career in Other Industries

Actually, a career as a retail buyer can be in any industry, since the day-to-day job responsibility is to know the latest potential products that will sell fast in retail stores. Decision makers in manufacturing companies select related products to develop from the assortment of merchandise suggested by the retail buyer. That way, manufacturers can claim a share of the wholesale market for different types of merchandise that retailers look for in satisfying the demands of consumers.

In the same way, major retail stores with branches in different locations and at the same time engaged in ecommerce, employ retail buyers, usually for every department. Part of the job of retail buyers in big stores is to negotiate the prices and terms of the mix of merchandise handled by their respective department, e.g.: garments, shoes, toys, sports goods, electronic devices, etc.

Job openings for retail buyers are common in the electronics, grocery and building materials industries. Although businesses that employ the most number of retail buyers are those highly involved in ecommerce and fashion industry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, compensation depends on the size of the business organization and its operation, as well as the number of departments that employ retail buyers. The BLS report states that the median salary of retail buyers since 2015 is $28.66 per hour or about $52,620 per year.

Important Qualifications that Can Land a Retail Buyer Job

Aside from having a bachelor’s degree in marketing, retail, fashion or any related field of the department or business in need of retail buyers, knowledge of resource planning, forecasting, basic computer skills and experience in analyzing markets. Such qualifications can get an applicant shortlisted for an interview, and possibly for subsequent next-level interviews.

It’s important therefore to create a cover letter that can immediately make the application processor read the accompanying curriculum vitae (CV). In Germany, there are entities that offer letter-writing as a service, as a way to increase an applicant’s chances of moving forward to the next stage of the application process. Anschreiben erstellen lassen (Creating a cover letter) whether in German or English has had a 95% success rate for customers of Gekonnt Bewerben, a Germany-based leading provider of application writing services.

Lawyers admit, mastering a good professional style is not easy. Lawyers need to present themselves in the most professional fashion but not too intimidating that it scares their clients. That’s why family law lawyers (rechtsanwalt familienrecht) choose their attire very carefully.

There are many unwritten rules that determine to a certain extent in which ensemble should you go to work. However, there is also often room for some personal input. So it’s important to use that full potential. Yana Gaevskaya fully agrees with that view. “I understand that fashion is not the biggest priority in people’s lives. However, your clothes influence how you behave, which in turn influences how other people think about you. Especially in a professional context, style is not to be underestimated .” The combination of what you want to wear and what you have to wear is not an easy balance. “Still, it’s important that your outfit gives a visual representation of who you are and what qualities people may associate with you,” says Yana. “For an employee, it can help to fit into the company culture. An entrepreneur then gives it the opportunity to create an image and build trust.”

Find inspiration, everywhere

Not sure where to start building a good work style? Then look for colors, fabrics, or designs that you like, regardless of whether they look good on you or not. If that is too difficult, you can look at interiors, books, or art that inspire you. You often discover a common thread through all those sources of inspiration. Those are the elements you can use to put together a successful professional wardrobe.

Opt for functionality

Regardless of what you like, it is important to take into account the functionality of your outfit. If you think it is important to walk comfortably, this will be reflected in the shoes or pants you wear. A good work outfit does not prevent you from performing your everyday tasks. Ultimately, style equals freedom. And freedom is impossible in painful shoes.

Integrate personality into the details

Make a distinction in your outfit between what is expected and where there is still room for personal input. For example, opt for a certain level of comfort that gives you the confidence to function properly, but also work with details. If you wear glasses, you can experiment with a model with more individuality. And shoes also offer countless possibilities to distinguish yourself. Don’t lose sight of the balance: don’t go for accessories that are too distracting or that prevent you from performing your job comfortably. Ultimately, the visual picture must fit within the context.

Adjust your style gradually

Don’t show up at work overnight with a radically different dress style. It’s safer instead to gradually change elements of your outfit and see how your environment reacts. Dare to try something new, but always go for a calculated risk. The workplace is not the environment for stacking statement pieces.

Start from values ​​you want to radiate

When choosing new clothes, emphasize the values ​​you want to be associated with. Think of the image you want to create around yourself as a professional and build on that. This makes it easier for you to stock up on items of clothing that have a certain consequence and the whole does not become a collection of divergent styles.

Find designers who reflect those values

Look for the designers that match the values ​​you want to radiate. On the basis of the keywords to which you want to link yourself, you can search the internet for fashion houses or clothing chains that attach importance to the same concepts.

Think of a signature look

At best, the way you’re dressed means you don’t have to say as much yourself as possible. A signature look can help with that. That’s a style of clothing that people come to associate with you and can be different depending on whether you’re in a meeting or at a networking event. Either way, it helps to make it clear to others at a glance what person they’re dealing with.