FringeDwellerContributor
Hair Colour, Job, I'm crazy.
****Sorry for the disjointed and possibly strange first post, I will head over to introductions at some point, just needed to get this out. Hi I'm Fringe Dweller, I'm strange.*****
My hair is short and spiky and I dye a multitude of colours, sometimes full rainbow, sometimes it's one or two bright colours. I'm a female, I don't believe my gender should have anything to do with this but I know, in terms of society and other people that does play some part in this.
My hair is this way because I like colour and I like being creative. I do it myself because I enjoy creating, this is my artwork that I carry with me, and I have receive compliments on my hair (both cut and colour) so I feel I do have the technical skills to pull it off. I also don't like people that I don't have a personal connection with touching me, it's the same reason I don't get facials and other 'beauty' treatments (also why I yank my hand/arm away from customers before realising what impression that is creating), so I have learnt to do my hair myself (see a problem, find a solution). I see all of this as a positive thing and I really like my hair, it helps to make me feel happy and positive.
In the last 5 years I've gotten my Diploma of Visual Merchandising. I cut my hours at work (a craft/homewares store with no visual merchandising oppurtunities) to do the course, (they haven't gone back up fully) because I thought that having my Dip VM plus I already have an Advanced Diploma of set and costume design with some experience in that industry plus the years of experience I have in retail would make me a hot candidate for any VM job. I haven't had a single interview for a VM job in those years. I don't know if it is simply my application isn't good enough, if it's lack of experience or if they are looking me up on the net and seeing what I am like. We were told so many times during my course that companies want "brand ambassadors", employees that embody their style. When they were allocating industry placements, in front of the class the lecturers told each student why they thought they were good fit for their placement, after telling a girl how her style fitted so well with her placement, I was told umm, yeah, you always look presentable and *low end department store* should be good. At size 18 with multicoloured hair and op shopped clothes that I am happy with, I don't feel I embody any fashion/homewares/VM employing stores particular style but I believe I could still be a valuable VM employee. Just because you don't embody a style it doesn't mean you don't understand that style and how to work with it. But I guess having a fat 30 something woman with rainbow Lisa Simpson hair working in your window may create a certain impression for the brand and the last thing they want is fashion blogger to take a photo and tag it with "Interesting style at ********. Where is this brand headed?"
What set this off today is I saw a VM job advertised at a mid-high end fashion store, I don't mind their style and I think I could work with them but the two things that have me questioning if it's worth my effort to apply (I have to push myself into a positive frame of mind to sell myself, I can't seem to sell myself without fooling myself that I really do have a chance with this job, I'll spend a few days agonising over each word and the impression that it gives, then after the closing date each time I check my phone or email I'll think "maybe" only to have that hope dashed with nothing being there because I fooled myself into thinking I really could get this job when I should have known it was a long shot) is 1 - Proven experience in a comparable role, apparel experience required. 2 - a strong sense of personal style and presentation. These two points are fairly regular in VM job ads. So far, my experience in a costume store and volunteering as a VM at an op shop don't seem to count as comparable experience. Although both of these revolve around clothing and dressing people, they don't have the same push to clear stock by the end of the season/trend. That is where the company makes money, that is where they want proven experience. I have been looking for fashion/apparel sales assistant jobs or even homewares, but can't find a lot that I feel I would fit with and will help with the long term goal of getting a VM job. I have applied for a few and have mentioned my VM skills but no interviews. I even applied for a job at the op shop where I volunteer. Was told by the store manager before the interview to think about the unique things I can bring to the job, hint, hint, VM. At the interview after mentioning VM for just the second time and I thought it was appropriate to the question she had just asked, the regional manager shot me down with 'you do understand the job is more then just VM don't you?'.
I need a new job, I need to get away from customers, do something more creative, something with more substance. I feel like my style, who I am, what makes me happy doesn't gel with or is misunderstood by the outside world or at least employers. And I don't know what to do to change this. The things that I have tried, haven't worked, have put me in more finacial stress and in hindsight I can see why and I'm not wanting to and can't afford to make those mistakes again.
I don't know what to do and the usual answers haven't helped
"If you're not happy with your job get a new one"
"Do some study to advance your career"
"Go for a lower job and work your way up"
"Do some volunteer work, it will give you experience and will look good on your resume"
