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Garmento’s Grand Delusions
By admins | June 8, 2009
Lately, we have received several reader stories regarding job hunting and interviewing in the fashion industry. This particular post focuses on an all too common character in the Garment Center world. The ever popular garmento who’s delusions of grandeur are epic. For better or for worse we have all met or worked with a similar character, the following is one job hunter’s encounter.
Job hunting is killing me! Aughh!! I can barely take the stress and frustrations of looking for a job in this economy anymore! Besides the tough job market and the lack of desirable positions out there, dealing with insane fashion recruiters is pushing me over the edge. As if that isn’t enough, it seems I’m now competing with hundreds of other over qualified candidates for positions that I never, EVER, would have considered a few years back.
The other day after a call from a recruiter with an “amazing” job opportunity, I was sent on an interview to meet the owner of a “top women’s wear company.” On the day of the interview as I approached the address given by the recruiter I became suspicious. This was not in one of the better buildings in the neighborhood but a smaller low-rise towards Macy’s but still you never know, so I tried to keep positive. Once inside the building and off the elevator, wow, talk about rundown. Do companies not realize what a bad impression they give off when the carpets are stained, paint is peeling, and the framed photo shoots are clearly a decade old?
I was brought into a small showroom to interview with the owner. First, let me say the showroom was a mess, boxes of old samples, screw holes from old display racks but the worst was their product, “top women’s wear company” my ass! This was cheapo urban clothing for discount chains. The owner asked me about current trends, market directions, etc, and explained he was looking for a fresh perspective. I inquired if he was interested in expanded any of his lines to department stores. He than started bragging on how he makes SO much money and his company is SO strong that they don’t need any new business. WTF, who says that in this economy? He then went on a bizarre tirade regarding department stores and margins, but I confess I barely understood half of it. I should explain that this was a much older gentleman with a very thick eastern European accent who mumbled throughout our interview. He was looking for new talent and wanted some new direction; however, he was intent on keeping the line bargain-priced to appeal to, as he called them, “the blacks” and the “little Spanish girls.” Holy inappropriate behavior! Well, at this point I was itching to get out of there, but boy, I really do need a paycheck so I continued on. After the department store rant, I tried a different tactic and asked if he was interested in getting into Walmart business. To this, he again shook his head and muttered something about not needing anymore business. Who was this guy kidding? Next up he started bragging that this was a highly profitable 100 million dollar apparel company. Huh, for a brand I’ve never even heard of? I mean really he knew from my resume that I worked for companies that size and much, much, larger. Clearly I wasn’t some kid right out of school who would buy this, and besides, since when does an owner of such a profitable company need to brag about it in a design interview?
Once this disaster of an interview finally ended I literally ran out of the building. Not more than ten minutes later did my ever anxious recruiter call. After politely telling her that I don’t think this is the right fit for me, she became oddly threatening and said, “Well this is what’s out there now, and lots of people would be dying for this opportunity.” Aughh! Thanks for letting me rant here. If anyone else is suffering through similar job hunting disasters take some comfort in knowing you are not alone.
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Topics: garment center, jobs | 4 Comments » 
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June 8th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
That is so crazyyy, thanks for sharing this!
June 8th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Ahh I’m so sorry you had to deal with all this! I’m currently looking for jobs too, in NYC and Boston, and not having any luck so far. I’m applying for research assistant positions mostly, at the big universities, but there is soooo much competition! Arggg hate this economy!
June 9th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Unfortunately loves this is all to common around here. Now that we are in a recession and jobs are scarce employers are looking to explore the vast talent pool that’s out there. Many of these bottom dweller companies are looking for a bargain designer, so beware.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
oh that is so awful!