Why fashion journalism course students need good stand-outs

Graduates applying for jobs after doing one of our journalism courses are sometimes asked to provide “stand-outs”.

They are particularly popular for magazine jobs, and our fashion journalism course students sometimes ask about them.

A stand-out is like a glammed up personal profile. So if you’re about to finish our online fashion journalism course, it’s time to start thinking about writing yours.

Here are some tips:

1. Stick to the specified word limit. If there isn’t one, limit your stand-out to 150 words of brilliantly written copy. If you can’t write a good stand-out, you’re probably not cut out for a fashion journalism job!
2. Make sure the facts match your CV.
3. Demonstrate up-to-date, thorough knowledge of the magazine / website.
4. Be 100% accurate – no typos, spelling errors, punctuation errors etc.
5. Mention your key selling points: especially relevant work experience and your best, relevant qualification. Why are you better than the other applicants?
6. Let your personality come through. It’s OK to be original, but don’t be cringey.
7. Make sure you’re real – don’t pretend you are warm and laid-back if your real character is detached and up-tight. Try to convey your values (eg family, hard work, social action), personality (what makes you tick?), strengths (what you’re naturally good at) and purpose (goal – why are you on this planet?).
8. Show why you’re interested in the advertised job, as opposed to any other job.
9. Mention relevant skills – why you can do the job.
10. Avoid buzz words – eg, team player, self-starter. Find original ways to describe yourself.
11. Give examples – don’t just say you can do something … illustrate how you have done it.

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