Apparel jobs include everything from apparel workers and manufacturers, apparel merchandisers, buying agents, fashion designers, retailers and dry cleaning services. Workers cut and sew the fabric based upon patterns crafted by fashion designers. Merchandisers market the clothing to buying agents, who inspect and qualify apparel for sale within the retailers they represent.

Whether you want to have skills in a broad range of difference fashion apparel jobs or specialize in one category, you must be well versed in the current trends and consumer necessities to maintain a thriving apparel career. The following resources will help you obtain helpful apparel jobs education and training:

1. A degree can be helpful for jobs in apparel.

2. Sign up for seminars and workshops that relate to careers in apparel.

3. Attend trade shows and conferences regarding jobs in the apparel industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain a degree for an apparel job

Many jobs in apparel production, such as cutting, sewing and machine operation, are entry level and don't even require a high school diploma, though that can be helpful. While a degree isn't necessary for other apparel positions, like fashion design or apparel buyer assistant jobs, it can be helpful for jump starting your career.

I recommend: The School of Human Ecology at the University of Texas at Austin offers a Textiles and Apparel degree program. Examine Design-training's list of schools that offer fashion design degrees.

Participate in seminars and workshops regarding careers in apparel

Many organizations offer training seminars and workshops for the apparel industry that, while not a necessity to obtain a position in the industry, can be very helpful toward furthering your career.

I recommend: The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains the various apparel production jobs and the education and training requirements necessary to obtain them. [TC]2, formerly Tailored Clothing Technology, offers several apparel manufacturing education and training seminars.

Register for conferences and trade shows relevant to jobs in apparel

Conferences and trade shows relevant to the apparel industry will help you see what resources and techniques are available to assist in the success of apparel careers. They will discuss current trends, possibly provide design workshops and present equipment and software that can help in the design and production process.

I recommend: Attend one of the two annual Magic Marketplace trade shows for buyers and sellers in the fashion apparel industry. Visit Apparel Magazine’s Tech Conference West, which presents technology and exhibitors relevant to the West Coast apparel and retail industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Apparel salaries vary depending upon what category of the industry you get a job in. The median salary for retail store managers is $41,627 annually, while a department store buyer is more than $63,000. Fashion designers average $56,400 annually and a manufacturing product manager earns about $59,000.

Jobs in apparel are plentiful and the work can be steady. This makes apparel jobs particularly attractive in difficult economies.

There are many different types of apparel industry jobs, from apparel production jobs to clothing designers or buyers. There's something to suit just about anyone. Because there is competition for the higher paying fashion apparel jobs, many people try to start in a lower position and work their way up in a company. Most companies prefer to promote someone within the company instead of hiring an outside person.

If you are thinking about pursuing one of the apparel careers:

1. Get involved as early as possible with apparel positions. This will give you a better chance to learn about the different aspects of the industry.

2. Take a low paying position if you are switching industries. It may be easier to get apparel buyer assistant jobs, which will give you the opportunity to show your skills.

3. Ask someone in the industry for an informational interview. If possible, ask someone you know or admire to meet with you to answer any questions you might have about the industry. They can give you an insider's perspective.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a fashion design internship to have a better chance at an apparel job later

If your interests lead towards fashion design, you would to well to gain experience through an internship. Companies may not pay you to work when you have an internship, but it will help you learn and make it easier to get a job later on.

I recommend: Rising Star Internships offers a number of internships in fashion design, including summer internships. Summer internships are perfect for students. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you can look for an internship overseas by visiting Intern Abroad.

Start with sales jobs in apparel to get your foot in the door

Internships aren't for everyone, and if you want a way to get started without having to work for free, a sales job in the apparel industry may be what you're looking for. This will help you learn more about the business and how clothing varies from season to season.

I recommend: Apply for jobs at large department stores such as Macys, Nordstrom, or Sears. You can find these stores everywhere in America and they are frequently hiring. Be sure to ask to the company to place you in a clothing department.

Search for apparel industry jobs on websites that focus on the industry

There is a lot of competition on the major job boards like Monster. Try looking for jobs on boards that only offer apparel industry jobs to find the job that is right for you.

I recommend: Websites such as Clothing Industry Jobs and Apparel Jobs offer a wide range of apparel positions, ranging from sample makers to apparel merchandising jobs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Try to get a degree that matches your interest. For example, if you are interested in design careers in apparel, go to a school that focuses on fashion design. If you are interested in merchandising, take classes to help you learn about the business end.

A career in the apparel industry requires knowledge of fashion, design, garment construction and merchandising. Each stage of the process represents an aspect of apparel manufacturing, from sewing machine operators to the production of clothing to retail sale of the final merchandise. Finding the right apparel job necessitates familiarity with key terms. In addition to obtaining a formal degree or specialized training to obtain a job in the apparel industry, understanding the production side of the industry can expand your marketability.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Fashion designer

A fashion designer, also known as a clothing designer, employs the art of creating apparel for the consumer market, as a cultural statement and artist expression. The driving force behind fashion design is aesthetics and the designers ability to produce garments that are appealing to various segments of consumers.

I recommend: Apparel Search provides a complete description of fashion design and the job duties of the designer.

Sewing machine operator

Operating an industrial sewing machine is vital for the production of clothing and requires manual dexterity, precision and knowledge of garment construction. Many workers learn the trade primarily through apprenticeship. The highly skilled operators are categorized as tailors and dressmakers and require special knowledge of machine attachments for blind stitching, serge machine techniques and top stitching for button-holes, adhering seams and double-needle joining of irregular shapes and straight edges.

I recommend: Visit State University.com for a detailed overview and a break down of various job occupations as sewing machine operator and clothing alterations.

Apparel manufacturer

An apparel manufacturer has the flexibility to mass market merchandise at lower production cost. Ready-to-wear fashion brands created a major economic shift in the garment industry. Clothes mass produced in standard sizes, required no alterations and were designed as a fashion brand product line statement.

I recommend: Visit FabricLink for an overview of the various jobs with a manufacturer.

Fashion merchandiser

A fashion merchandiser, sometimes called a merchandiser or apparel merchandiser, works with retailers to market fashion apparel. Merchandising is the method of using a combination of consumer market analysis, trend forecasts and brand popularity to promote fashion apparel based on seasonal demand and past retail profitability.

I recommend: Fashion-Schools.org provides an in depth description of the qualifications and criteria for apparel or fashion merchandiser.

Buyer

Retail and wholesale apparel buyers use the process of predicting fashion styles and trends to purchase merchandise appealing to a particular retail market. Many professionals wholesale buyers in the apparel industry travel to trade shows, fashion houses and to distributors abroad to secure product line merchandise.

I recommend: NYCareer Zone provides information about a career as retail or wholesale buyer.

Retail store manager

A clothing store manager or retail sales manager is responsible for monitoring and analyzing the allocation of product performance, inventory and working with departmental staff in the retail store. The executive manager works closely with several levels of staff and the aid of computer software, to track merchandise categories, the effectiveness of trends, in-store operations such as planning, signage and merchandise selection which appeals to target consumers, and to recommend adjustments to achieve sales goals.

I recommend: Macy's career section offers a description of the position and qualifications to obtain an executive management position. Much of the responsibilties can be reviewed and applied across any clothing store manager position.

Apparel industry jobs and careers can be challenging to find and highly competitive, which is why it is imperative to continually follow apparel jobs news and trends. By knowing which direction the apparel industry job market is headed, you will be ready to pounce on any opportunity as it arises.

Apparel jobs are diverse and range from highly skilled clothing manufacturing jobs, to creative design jobs, to business-savvy apparel careers in marketing and sales. Secure a successful future in the industry with inside knowledge of fashion apparel jobs and always staying ahead of the curve.

1. Network with industry professionals to learn about jobs in apparel.

2. Get an education in fashion and apparel to learn about the future of careers in apparel.

3. Follow and participate in blogs about apparel jobs and the fashion industry to get the latest, up-to-the-minute information from professionals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search apparel job listings

The Internet is a vast resource for apparel job listings with access to many job listings in a matter of minutes. In addition to the major national job boards and local job listing resources, look for job boards specializing in apparel industry jobs. Take a look at all jobs from apparel production jobs to apparel merchandising jobs to get an idea of the overall current market.

I recommend: ApparelJobs.net and ApparelJobsite.com are both online fashion job listings that are excellent resources dedicated solely to apparel jobs.

Find statistics on jobs in the apparel industry

Research apparel industry statistics from reliable sources to find reliable information on the national market, such as average salaries of different positions within the industry, industry sales and growth rates, workplace trends and even future forecasts of the industry.

I recommend: Look up the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the apparel industry from the US Department of Labor. Find up-to-date statistics on the industry from the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

Read about apparel positions in industry publications

Subscribe to industry publications that discuss current states of a variety of topics in the apparel industry, such as salaries, trends, current practices and modes of operation. Many publications will also list upcoming industry events like workshops, seminars, trade shows and conventions, which are excellent ways to network and learn about the latest trends in apparel.

I recommend: Subscribe to two of the leading publications on the apparel industry to read about the ever-changing apparel job industry: Wearable Business Magazine and The Apparel Strategist.