Portfolio of Evidence by Olivia Watson

Portfolio of Evidence C3496523 Olivia Watson Word Count: 1655

Contents 1.0 CV 2.0 Online Portfolio 3.0 LinkedIn profile 4.0 Job application 5.0 Assessment-centre test 6.0 Reflective report of Industry Event 7.0 Social Media 8.0 Infographic 9.0 Bibliography

1.0 CV Your CV, or curriculum vitae is the first thing a potential employer will see from you, before even meeting you. With most recruiter’s skim reading a CV in less than 30 seconds, you need to think carefully about how you order the information (Guardian Jobs, 2017).

Doyle (2018) explains that institutions that request a CV are more interested in one’s well-rounded credentials for the job which expresses and shows careers experience and training as well as skills.

OLIVIA WATSON

Mobile – 07540235132 Email – oliviajwatson16@gmail.com Social Media Instagram- @fashionwardrobe16 Social Media Twitter - @fashionward16 Key Skills

Personal Summary

• Positive team player • Excellent communication an interpersonal skill • Focused, driven and highly motivated • Loyal and eager to learn as much as I can • Punctual • Organized and efficient • Effective and confident level of Spanish

I am currently studying Fashion Marketing at Leeds Beckett University. I am currently working as a retail assistant for an individual women’s boutique managing stock checks, showroom design and incharge of online orders. I am a focused, well driven team player with excellent organizational and communication skills.

Industry Skills Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier Pro) Online Writing Creative Content Marketing Fashion History

Industry Experience SISTER SIETE (start up) • When this company first began, I was approached to help out with the social media side of it i.e. updating their Instagram account with new products and different looks that the stylist had put together. I also produced a Twitter account so that they could update their followers on news and events that were involved in.

BIRMINGHAM CITY FOOTBALL CLUB, MEDIA DEPARTMENT (work experience), 30thJune to 4thJuly 2014 • During my week of work experience at the club I interviewed 2 of the team’s new players, took and edited a montage of photos for the club’s website as well as write an article that was published on the website.

Work Experience Outdazl Women’s Boutique – May 2018 As I was approaching my final year of university I thought that I should really be involving myself in the fashion industry. When I finished my second year of university I began looking for jobs to do with retail at home for the summer.

I found Outdazl, an independent women’s boutique and once I had got the hang of the till and online order preparation I began to get a lot of responsibility and almost played a managerial role of the boutique.

Neon PT and Juice Bar – June 2017 to April 2018 I was front of house at a juice bar, responsible for making juices, smoothies and coffee for customers. I was also responsible for stocking up the displays of refreshments we had on offer as well as ordering stock. I ran a few pop-ups where we took samples of our juices and snacks that we offer to different companies such as Astra Zenica.

The Yard – March 2013 to December 2016 I worked in both the juice bar/shop and café. I started off part time in the shop where I would be responsible for making juices and smoothies for customers, as well as pricing, stocking and organising the shop floor. When I became full time, I worked in the café where I served and ran tables, became a barista and took orders/dealt with complaints from customers.

Simon Dunn Chocolatier – September 2012 to December 2012 I had a Saturday job where I began in the back-washing dishes and glasses but I quickly moved to the front of house where I was making coffee, sorting out the chocolate displays and waiting on customers.

Education Leeds Beckett University • BA Fashion Marketing (3-year course) – September 2016 to May 2019 Wilmslow High School – September 2013 to June 2015 • 3 A levels: Spanish – C, Media – C, French – E Alderley Edge School for Girls – September 2008 to June 2013 • 10 GCSEs • A – Spanish and French • B – Maths, Dual Science, Design Technology, English Literature, English Language • C – History

Key Achievements •

• Ballet

Grade 5 Jazz and Tap Grade 5, 6 and 7

Additional Information •

Basic Spanish

References available on request • Sally Burr 07540823055

2.0 Online Portfolio My online portfolio is evidence and a showcase of university work from over the past 3 years, using WordPress. Huhman (2014) believes that benefits of an online portfolio are that it is a great impression to future employers and that it increases your visibility and online presence. It also includes a blog post written about a small brand named Sister Siete. https://fashionwardrobe16.wordpress.com

2.1 Fashion Forecasting and Visual Communications Level 4

https://fashionwardrobe16.wordpress.com/fashion-forecasting-and-visual-communications-level-4/

2.2 Fashion Brands 2 Level 5

https://fashionwardrobe16.wordpress.com/fashion-brands2-level-5/

2.3 Contextual Studies Level 5

https://fashionwardrobe16.wordpress.com/contextual-studies-level-5/

2.4 Fashion Writing Editorial Level 5 https://fashionwardrobe16.wordpress.com/fashion-writing-editorial-level-5/

2.5 Fashion Writing Spoiled Nation Level 6 https://fashionwardrobe16.wordpress.com/spoiled-nation-level-6/

3.0 LinkedIn Profile Itzkowich (2017), believes that Linkedin is the directory for business professionals.It is the place for potential employers to be able to connect with you and you with them. I had never thought about having a LinkedIn profile being a student but I am grateful for being taught that it gives you so much opportunity to connect with people in the industry. https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-watson-47b19a172/

4.0 Job Advertisement and sample job application We were given a job application to apply for WE ARE VISTA and with that had to write a cover letter. I had personally never written a cover letter before so it was a bit of a challenge for me, however Matar (2014) wrote that you should state the job you are specifically applying for and then describe how your skills and experience are a good fit, will help show to employers that you know what you are applying for which will help you stand out to other applicants.

R E A L I S E Y O U R P O T E N T I A L

Marketing assistant (entry level) Leeds, reports to Head of Content

We are Vista

We’re a creative communications agency with over 20 years of expertise in moving audiences to improve business performance. We work internally and through-­‐the-­‐line with some of the best-­‐known brands in every major sector. We embed strategies, drive cultural change, grow brands and create engaging content across a multitude of channels.

What we need

We’re looking for a versatile, open-­‐minded marketing assistant who takes professional pride in their work. The role demands a number of skills, including a strong command of written English, and you should have a keen interest in brands, marketing, business and popular culture. A creative thinker, you’re eager to learn new skills and develop your career in a fast-­‐paced agency environment. A passionate, proactive, positive and self-­‐motivated team player, you’re bursting with enthusiasm and fresh ideas – and you have a winning way with marketing content to bring it to life.

What you’ll do

You’ll develop innovative ideas and compelling content that inspires audiences into action. You’ll craft sparkling short and long-­‐form creative copy for integrated communications campaigns delivered using design, digital, social, print, film and live events. Working across a range of industries and sectors, you’ll also assist with marketing campaigns and visual communications.

Who you’ll work with

You’ll join our growing Content team, reporting directly to the Head of Content who will develop not just your craft skill of copywriting, design and marketing, but your creative and strategic awareness across multiple channels, media and sectors.

You’ll bring an exciting new dimension to the team, joining client calls and collaborating with talented experts across the agency.

What you’ve got You’ve got a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field and/or some professional experience producing content (written or visual) for print and online. You’re naturally creative with a demonstrable interest in marketing, brands and popular culture – backed up by a growing portfolio of work (whether personal or professional). Attention to detail, calmness under pressure, strong interpersonal skills and a clear drive to succeed are essential.

Where you can go

This is an exciting opportunity to kickstart a career in the creative industries. Developing with us as a marketing assistant you’ll learn loads about graphic design, film, digital, events, branding, marketing and business. From there, you could develop into creative direction, journalism, strategy or specialist media. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of the role.

What you’ll get

– A competitive package, pension, healthcare benefits, life assurance, annual bonus and peer award schemes – Time for research, learning and development through our training and Headspace programmes – Other benefits including Ride2Work, complimentary fruit – and office bar

Interested?

We love a good CV and killer cover letter (so please share more than your LinkedIn profile). We also love people who stand out from the crowd. Get in touch at: pace@wearevista.co.uk

To whom it may concern, I am Olivia Watson, a third year Fashion Marketing student currently studying at Leeds Beckett University, I noticed this opportunity for a job in marketing and thought it would be an exciting and new experience for me to throw myself into.

I have had work experience with the Media Department for Birmingham City football club working alongside the team; interviewing players as well as going out to meetings for magazine articles. Not only did this improve my communication skills but I also got given the responsibility of editing montaging photography for the team’s weekly newsletter.

I have also had first-hand experience with marketing and advertising, helping a new business set itself up.

Sister Siete; a small women’s clothing company approached me to help with the start-up of their Social Media platform and website, where marketing skills were tested to try and get the company’s vision of who and what they wanted their brand to be.

With marketing, I believe key skills as well as communicational skills are two very important factors. With previous experience where I think both my marketing and communication skills excelled, that I would be able to gain even more knowledge of the two.

Many thanks, Olivia Watson

5.0 Assessment-centre test.

On the 29th November 2018 I took part in the mock assessment-centre test held by the university and two professional. I had no idea what to expect when I walked in and our icebreaker challenge was actually the last thing I would of ever thought to have been an icebreaker in real life assessment centre tests. We began with a spaghetti tower challenge, split into groups we were given equal amounts of dry spaghetti pasta, a marshmallow and some tape. The challenge was to try and get the marshmallow the furthest off the table and for it to stay on top of the tower without falling or breaking, and to my surprise my team won. We were then all given pieces of paper with a case study and split into our groups of whichever position we were given, with only 20 minutes to discuss we all had to come up with a pitch to present in front of the ‘company owner’. I am not an extrovert person so having to speak in a group of people I was not familiar with was a challenge but I accepted it and think I impressed myself by getting involved.

6.0 Reflective report of Industry Event A reflective report is an opportunity for us, as students, to look back and reflect on a subject, but this reflection is on the industry event we attended mid semester.

Originally, when I was getting ready for the industry event, in my head I did not have a specific idea of where I wanted to go with a career after university.

The industry event, for me, was really an opportunity to listen to different areas and career paths that people had taken and see where I could really see myself growing as a person and as a career. This was such a privileged opportunity to have a variety of successful businessmen and women taking the time to talk to us and let us engage with them afterwards as well.

The two people that really struck me and took my attention were Jen Holcroft and Helen McGuckin, both in the industry of styling. When listening to both their career paths and learning about where they are today and how they got here, I was amazed at how much work they had put into getting to their platforms now. I didn’t know whether it was me being naïve and thinking styling was quite easy just listening to a brief and choosing clothes you think will fit to that specific brief. What also struck me was how completely different each of their career paths and experiences have been, listening to how they got to the position they are in today was so intriguing and inspiring.

My knowledge of styling, I thought, was quite in-depth but after listening to both Jen and Helen speak to us, there are such a wider variety of platforms you can go towards than I initially thought. Jen is currently the lead stylist at JD, she graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a Design and Art Direction degree, focusing on styling and photography in her second year.

When Jen left university she did not get a job straight away, she did 12 months of work experience in various places; Manchester fashion network, Selfridges & Co, Den Living and ASOS.com. One thing she said that really stood out to me is to not just focus on one thing, like styling, but to move around and build up your skills in different areas of the industry. . I am currently working in retail and I have done a bit of media work for a small brand so that piece of advice really stuck with me.

Jen spoke to us about her journey through the industry where she started her first job as a sample coordinator at boohoo.com, which led her to become a stylist of e-commerce taking her to different locations and more creative shoots.

Until she decided t venture out from boohoo.com and land herself a job at JD as senior stylist which led her to lead stylist. ‘It is all about answering a brief’, she said and being lead stylist she is in charge of a whole team, budgeting costs, ensuring style guides and more. Helen is a freelance stylist, who studied Fashion Studies and had a part-time job at Topshop whilst studying. After graduating she interned for DAZED magazine but later did visual merchandising at Topshop creating looks. After being a merchandiser she became a personal shopper working in both Nottingham and Sheffield until transferring to Oxford Circus and styling. Throughout her career, Helen has interned for DAZED, worked in retail both menswear and womenswear, been a studio manager and an art director for New Look as well as styling numerous shoots. Helen, speaking about retail, said that it teaches you about market research and customer communication and I would completely agree with her. Before working in retail I was a lot more introvert, being purely a helper/storeroom worker until my manager gave me more responsibility and would leave me I in charge of the shop which helped my customer communication develop. Not only this but market research as well, you begin to notice and be able to work out and work with your target market.

Once the speakers had all spoke to us, we headed over to Broadcasting Tower where we were able to network our way around the room and we were given the opportunity to speak to some of the guests. For me, the Industry Event was an eye opener and pinpointed where I have decided I would like to see myself progress and hopefully, make a career from in the fashion industry.

7.0 Social Media

Social media is quickly becoming one of the most important aspects of digital marketing, which provides incredible benefits that help reach millions of customers worldwide (Nelson, 2018). In an article by Brandi (2018), as of 2018 88% of business were using social media for marketing, with platforms such as Instagram offering a visual platform which works for businesses since people remember 80% of what they see as opposed to what they read or hear. The two social media platforms I have are Twitter, because I enjoy the discussions that can be had between anyone worldwide, and Instagram because I think the visual layout of this platform is different to any other and allows people to express themselves through images, rather than words.

7.1 Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/fashionwardrobe16/

7.2 Twitter https://twitter.com/fashionward16?lang=en-gb

8.0 Infographic Infographics, the visual representation of data, are increasingly popular as one of the mediums that tells a data story the best (Conner, 2017). For my infographic I chose to focus on styling, as a career, I chose words that mean styling to me as well as looking back at my mock interview feedback and adding words from when I spoke about my hope to have a career in styling.

9.0 Bibliography • Ansley, A. (2013). Styled to Perfection: The History of Fashion Consulting. [Online]. Orlandointernationalfashionweek.com. Available from: http:// orlandointernationalfashionweek.com/history-of-fashion-consulting-alexisansley/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2018].

• Brandi (2018). Top 10 Social Media Sites for Business - LYFE Marketing. [online] Digital Marketing Blog. Available at: https://www.lyfemarketing.com/ blog/social-media-sites-for-business/ [Accessed 9 Jan. 2019].

• Brandi (2018). How Using Social Media For Marketing Can Transform Your Business. [online] Digital Marketing Blog. Available at: https://www.lyfemarketing.com/blog/using-social-media-for-marketing/ [Accessed 9 Jan. 2019].

• Conner, C. (2017). The Data Is In: Infographics Are Growing And Thriving In 2017 (And Beyond). [online] Forbes.com. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/ sites/cherylsnappconner/2017/10/19/the-data-is-ininfographics-are-growing-and-thriving-in-2017-andbeyond/#32347dd5137c [Accessed 9 Jan. 2019].

• Doyle, A. (2018). How to Write a Curriculum Vitae (CV) for a Job. [online] The Balance Careers. Available at: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-writea-curriculum-vitae-cv-2058494 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2019].

• Itzkowich, R. (2017). Why You Should Be On LinkedIn, Even If You’re The Boss. [online] Forbes.com.

Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/11/15/why-you-should-be-onlinkedin-even-if-youre-the-boss/#639e21916cea [Accessed 10 Jan. 2019].

• Matar, J. (2014). 6 Things Your Cover Letter Should Never Say (But Probably Does). [online] Brazen. Available at: https://www.brazen.com/blog/ archive/job-search/6-things-cover-letter-never-sayprobably/ [Accessed 9 Jan. 2019].

• Nelson, S. (2018). 7 reasons why social media marketing is important for your business. [online] Digital Doughtnut. Available at: https://www. digitaldoughnut.com/articles/2018/february/7-reasons-why-social-media-marketing-is-important [Accessed 9 Jan. 2019].