Careers! Professional Development for Retailing and Apparel Merchandising

by Hillery, Julie L.; Paulins, V. Ann

• ISBN13: 9781563673573
• ISBN10: 1563673576
• Additional ISBN(s): 9781501395413
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-17
• Publisher: Fairchild Books
• More Book Details

Summary

This book and CD-ROM combination is designed to provide students and aspiring professionals with realistic information about careers in the retailing and apparel merchandising industry. With its focus on preparing students for careers in their chosen field, Careers! Professional Development for Retailing and Apparel Merchandising will help students explore their options, develop portfolios and resumes, prepare for job interviews, complete internships and negotiate the transition from student to professional.

Author Biography

V. Ann Paulins is director and associate professor of retail merchandising at Ohio State Universitys School of Human and Consumer Sciences. She publishes regularly in academic journals,such as the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, and presents her findings on consumer behavior at industry conferences. Her research interests include internship development, ethics and customer service quality, as well as examining the social psychology of consumption decisions. The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) presented her with the New Achiever award in 1997.

Julie L. Hillery is associate professor of textiles, apparel and merchandising at Northern Illinois University. In 2003, she was awarded a professorship with Kohls, a large clothing retailer based in Wisconsin, for her work as an internship coordinator between NIU students and the company.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Careers in Retailing and Apparel Merchandising	1	(38)
Objectives	1	(1)
Introduction to the Retailing Industry	1	(1)
Is This a Career for You?	2	(2)
What's In a Job?	4	(31)
Sales	4	(3)
Retail Management	7	(12)
Buying Office	19	(3)
Design and Product Development	22	(5)
Promotion	27	(8)
Getting Started	35	(1)
Projects	36	(1)
Questions for Discussion	37	(1)
Electronic Activities	38	(1)
References	38	(1)
Preparing to Become a Professional	39	(24)
Objectives	39	(1)
Developing a Professional Profile	39	(4)
Body of Knowledge	40	(1)
Value for Lifelong Learning	41	(1)
Commitment to the Company and the Industry	42	(1)
Personal Contribution to the Field	42	(1)
Career Advancement	42	(1)
Qualities for Success	43	(13)
Analytical Skills	44	(1)
Assertiveness	45	(1)
Willingness to Accept Challenges	45	(1)
Communication	46	(1)
Creativity	47	(1)
Ethics	47	(1)
Flexibility	48	(1)
Initiative	48	(1)
Leadership	48	(1)
Loyalty	49	(1)
Negotiation	50	(1)
Organization	50	(1)
Physical and Emotional Fitness	51	(1)
Planning and Execution	52	(1)
Willingness to Relocate	52	(1)
Selling Ability	53	(1)
Problem-Solving Ability	54	(1)
Ability to Work with People from Diverse Populations	55	(1)
Ability to Work Under Pressure	55	(1)
Making the Most of the Qualities You Possess	56	(1)
Setting Goals for Yourself	56	(3)
Short-Term versus Long-Term Goals	57	(1)
Personal versus Professional Goals	58	(1)
Projects	59	(1)
Questions For Discussion	60	(1)
Electronic Activities	61	(1)
References	62	(1)
Developing Your Professional Portfolio	63	(20)
Objectives	63	(1)
The Professional Portfolio	63	(6)
Why Create a Portfolio?	64	(1)
Types of Portfolios	65	(4)
Organization and Presentation of the Portfolio	69	(9)
Format of the Portfolio	70	(1)
Contents of the Portfolio	70	(8)
On-Line and Electronic Portfolios	78	(1)
Copyrighting Your Portfolio	78	(3)
Projects	81	(1)
Questions For Discussion	81	(1)
Electronic Activities	82	(1)
References	82	(1)
The Job Search	83	(24)
Objectives	83	(1)
Identifying Resources for Finding a Job	83	(10)
College Placement Offices	85	(1)
Employment Fairs	86	(1)
Professors	86	(1)
Professional and Student Associations	87	(2)
Internships	89	(1)
The Internet	90	(1)
Newspapers and Trade Publications	91	(1)
Other Contacts (Your Personal Network)	91	(2)
What to do if You Can't Find a Job	93	(8)
Interview As Much As Possible	95	(1)
Assess Your Job Search Efforts	95	(2)
Use a Temporary Employment Agency	97	(1)
Volunteer	97	(1)
Take a Job in the Service Industry	97	(1)
Consider Relocating to a Different Area	98	(3)
Projects	101	(2)
Questions For Discussion	103	(2)
Electronic Activities	105	(1)
References	105	(2)
Resumes and Cover Letters	107	(28)
Objectives	107	(1)
Resumes	108	(10)
Format of Resumes	108	(1)
Components of a Chronological Resume	109	(9)
Cover Letters	118	(12)
General Format	118	(4)
Contents and Components	122	(4)
General Letter-Writing Tips	126	(4)
Projects	130	(2)
Questions For Discussion	132	(1)
Electronic Activities	133	(1)
References	133	(2)
Interviewing	135	(34)
Objectives	135	(1)
Establishing Verbal Contact	136	(5)
Telephone Etiquette	137	(3)
Scheduling an Interview	140	(1)
Preparing For the Interview	141	(19)
Interview Tests	144	(1)
Your Interview Wardrobe	144	(2)
Behavior in the Interview	146	(1)
Responding to Interview Questions	146	(2)
Appropriate Interview Questions	148	(1)
Duration of the Interview	149	(4)
Honesty in the Interview	153	(5)
Asking Questions of the Interviewer	158	(2)
Evaluating the Interview	160	(1)
Following Up After the Interview	160	(4)
Projects	164	(1)
Questions For Discussion	165	(1)
Electronic Activities	166	(1)
References	166	(3)
Work Experiences and Internships	169	(32)
Objectives	169	(1)
Understanding the Value of Work Experiences	170	(6)
How to Identify Appropriate Internships and Work Experiences	176	(3)
Compensation for Work Experiences and Internships	179	(2)
Value of the Experience	179	(1)
Type and Duration of Experience	179	(1)
Your Expenses	180	(1)
Your Contribution to the Company	180	(1)
Competition Level	181	(1)
Your Goals	181	(1)
Gathering Information	181	(3)
Making the Most of Your Contacts	183	(1)
Keeping in Touch with Your Contacts	183	(1)
Identify a Career Mentor	184	(2)
Coordinating Your Goals With the Job Requirements	186	(1)
Making the Most of an Internship or Work Experience	187	(2)
Evaluating Your Work Experiences	189	(9)
Keep a Journal	189	(6)
Ask Your Supervisor for Feedback	195	(1)
Identify the Strengths and Weaknesses of Your Work Experience Site	195	(3)
Projects	198	(1)
Questions For Discussion	199	(1)
Electronic Activities	200	(1)
Reference	200	(1)
Professional Ethics	201	(30)
Objectives	201	(1)
The Importance of Ethics in Business	201	(3)
Defining the Boundaries of Ethical Dilemmas	204	(2)
The Role of Personal Values in Ethical Judgments	206	(1)
Approaches to Ethics	207	(3)
Using Case Studies to Resolve Ethical Dilemmas	209	(1)
The Decision-Making Process	210	(1)
Factors That Contribute to Ethical Dilemmas	210	(5)
The Profit-Ethics Dilemma	211	(2)
Ethics and the Role of Power	213	(2)
Ethics For Interviews	215	(1)
The Relationship Between Ethics and Etiquette	216	(1)
Exploring Your Ethical Construct	216	(10)
Developing a Code of Ethics	217	(9)
Projects	226	(1)
Questions For Discussion	226	(2)
Electronic Activities	228	(1)
References	228	(3)
Your First Job and Beyond	231	(30)
Objectives	231	(1)
The Job Offer	231	(10)
Evaluating an Offer	232	(1)
Negotiating an Offer	233	(3)
Multiple Job Offers	236	(1)
Accepting an Offer	237	(2)
Rejecting an Offer	239	(2)
Your First Job	241	(16)
What to Expect Your First Day on the Job	241	(1)
How to Succeed in the First Few Weeks	242	(7)
What If You Don't Like the Job?	249	(3)
Exploring Opportunities Beyond Your First Job	252	(1)
Should You Stay or Should You Go?	252	(2)
Looking for Another Job While You Are Still Employed	254	(1)
Resigning from Your Job	255	(2)
Projects	257	(1)
Questions For Discussion	258	(1)
Electronic Activities	259	(1)
References	259	(2)
Index	261