How organising my year 11 Leavers Hoodies got me a job at stitch

A paid contribution by our friends over at Stitch the creative clothing company offering innovative clothing for the made-to-order, retail and b2b markets. We think this is a useful and interesting article for all our readers and are happy to publish.

After completing my studies at university this year, I sat down to tackle what every new graduate dreads - applying for my first ‘real’ job and dusting off my CV.

I began with the qualifications and previous work experience which I thought was the most relevant, and then moved onto extracurricular activities that demonstrated organisation and initiative - something all companies look for in an employee. This proved to be initially daunting, as the job in mind was for an account manager role at Stitch, a company that creates custom clothing. This role was new territory for me as my past work experience was predominantly practical creative work, and I feared I lacked too much in office practise to successfully apply for an administrative position.

Nonetheless, the job seemed perfect for me; a smaller team that communicates with young like minded people. I figured what I lacked in office experience, I made up for in the communication skills I had learnt throughout my Theatre degree. So I made sure to put in the time and effort to be as prepared as possible when I managed to get an interview.

Upon researching the job role and company, I couldn’t help but notice their most successful brand was LeaversHoodies.com. I reflected on my own experience organising my school’s leavers hoodies back in year 11, and the soft skills I developed doing this, I thought it may be relevant to bring up in my interview. The interview process involved a series of competency based questions, calling on skills and past experience that would exemplify qualities that made me a suitable candidate. This task, that I had initially brushed off as a mere coincidence, in fact became the very quality that stood me apart from other candidates, inevitably landing me the job!

I was so excited to start but of course, was still very nervous. I had no idea what to expect from life in an office and was apprehensive that I may have oversold myself during the interview; a typical ‘first day’ mindset. However, the amazing training and management at the company allowed me to uncover a skillset and confidence that I would have never anticipated throughout my Theatre degree.

I know I will rely on the skills I have learnt by being part of the team time and time again in my future career prospects, as well as the practical skills I have picked up along the way.

I am now, by a long shot, more confident than ever to explore the next step in my career and am no longer anxious when looking at my CV, but ambitious. Who would have thought organising my year 11 leavers hoodies would put me in this mindset seven years down the line. I’ve learnt now, the seemingly small activities and experiences you take part in while at school may just have a crucial impact on the steps you take in the future.
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Author

Amy Scott is an account manager at Stitch, the creative clothing company.