What You Need to Know About Getting Hired in Fashion, Beauty, & Lifestyle

Today’s fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors are experiencing significant growth, creating exciting opportunities for professionals looking to take the next step in their careers. As brands continue to evolve, they’re investing more than ever in the talent behind them. While it’s no secret that it’s a fast-paced, competitive industry, there is no shortage of opportunity for those who know how to position themselves.

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In the fashion and beauty world, what hiring managers look for in an application, how you are evaluated in an interview, and what it takes to stand out look different than in other industries. If you want to get hired in fashion, beauty, or lifestyle, there are unique demands you might not know matter, and knowing them can change everything.

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At Fourth Floor, we specialize in curating top talent for the nation's leading apparel, beauty, and lifestyle brands. Whether you’ve been in this industry for a long time or you’re just getting started, we’re giving you an inside look at what fashion and beauty hiring actually looks like from the people placing talent at these brands every day. Experts at Fourth Floor, Director of Recruitment & Client Partnerships, Christy Chinian, and Senior Account Executive, Erika Dinall-Sadler, sit down for Recruiting Office Hours to share what they see every day, and what they wish every candidate knew before starting their job search.

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Watch episode 3 of Recruiting Office Hours, "What It Takes to Get Hired in Fashion, Lifestyle & Beauty," available now on YouTube and Spotify.

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Here is a glimpse at the conversations Christy and Erika have every day, and a preview of some of the questions they answer in this episode:

What is happening in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle hiring right now that candidates might not realize?  

Christy: Specifically for beauty roles, [employers] used to be open to candidates that came from different industries. These days, with how competitive the market is, they really are looking for someone that has direct competitor experience.

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Erika: The industry is changing every second of every day. I could speak to a candidate today and say, I have nothing. Two days later, I have three jobs for this person. So don't give up. The industry is constantly changing. It's very volatile, in a good way.

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When you meet a candidate for the first time, what are you evaluating in the first 30 seconds?

Erika: I'm really evaluating how they answer questions about their experience, and whether they’re going around in circles. It's really important for them to be direct and confident with their answers, and presentation is also quite important.

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‍Christy: When I connect with them via Teams or Zoom. I would say I'm definitely reading the candidate’s energy. Are they smiling? Are they stoic? Did they come prepared? I think that's everything. In fashion specifically, a lot of clients will want to see how you show up to their interview and present your personal style. I think that's a little less applicable to just an initial pre-screen with the recruiter, but I think it is a good indication if you show up well-dressed and well-groomed and aren't in your sweats to the first call with me, and that you’ll definitely present that way with our clients, so I do also take that into account.

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If you could give one piece of advice to every candidate listening, what would it be?

Erika: LinkedIn, at the moment, is very saturated. There's a high volume of candidates applying to roles. Getting connected with a recruiter who specializes in this field will give you a better chance of securing an interview.

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Christy: We often work on exclusive jobs that are not posted anywhere. So, you would never know that your dream company is hiring because we are the only ones working on that job.

Hear More from the Experts at Fourth Floor

Watch the full conversation on YouTube or Spotify, where they also cover:

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• What makes a portfolio stand out — and what are the biggest mistakes candidates make?
• How should you format and tailor your resume for fashion and beauty roles?
• What does it mean to look and sound elevated in an interview?
• What questions should you be asking — and which ones should you save for later?
• What are the biggest red flags candidates should avoid?
• What is the first thing you should focus on if you are trying to break into the industry?
• What do candidates consistently underestimate that actually makes a huge difference?

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Explore Opportunities at Fourth Floor

At Fourth Floor, our recruiters serve as strategic advisors throughout your search, offering tailored guidance on how to position yourself for the roles and brands you are going after. We partner with brands ranging from boutique startups to global fashion houses, placing talent across roles in design, marketing, creative, retail, wholesale, operations, and more. Explore our open roles and apply today to connect with a Fourth Floor recruiter.