What It Takes To Work In A Fashion Magazine

There are five types of people who work in a fashion magazine: an editor-in-chief, a writer, a model, a stylist and a photographer. If you don't have the body, the talent and the skills of the last three, do you have the qualities of the first two? Go over the list and check out if you have what it takes to work and thrive in the fashion magazine industry as an editor or writer.

• A beautiful mind. You wouldn't want to be working in a fashion magazine if you don't have the least appreciation for beautiful things. Let your beautiful mind conceive and explore the creative ideas needed to keep the business running.

• A knack for personal relations (PR). The meanies rarely make it to the business past retirement age. You need the right PR skills to motivate the people who work for you, to charm the people whom you will work with and to bag exclusive rights to projects and shows that you want to work on. In a nutshell, you need the right PR skills to stay on the job.

• A nose for gossip. You won't be able to get fresh updates if you just remain oblivious to the things going on around you. Couple your news with gossip with a passion for the truth and start unearthing the news and real stories behind that juicy gossip.

• A penchant for writing. You do not need a journalism degree to edit or write for a fashion magazine, but you need to be comfortable and skilled in writing accurate, clear and interesting content in a manner that irresistibly hooks your target audience.

• A stomach and the right stamina for traveling. All the technological advancements that make communication easier for you are not enough to keep you in one place. There will always be occasions that demand your physical presence: fashion shows, conventions and tête-à-tête exclusives.

• A thick skin. The industry has no room for shy people. Remember that you'll be brushing shoulders with the big shots of the fashion world. You'll need more than power dressing to fend the intimidating presence of these people to get your way and get the job done.

• A well-tamed tongue. A well-tamed tongue commands respect and breaks the uneasy silence between the interviewer and the interviewee. Use your tongue to get the message across; you don't have to bark orders and rants.

• An interest in fashion. You don't have to be good-looking to land a magazine writing job, but you do need a genuine interest in fashion. You cannot write or decide about something you do not know. If you have little idea about fashion, then at least have the willingness to learn the ropes.

The list is not comprehensive. In some cases, you will need the right connections (and a myriad of recommendations) to get your foot inside the prestigious doors of a fashion magazine business. Dream big and good luck!