Twentysomething Fashion PR Trendsetter Shares Her Story of Persistence as a Valuable Tool for Aspiring Fashion Mavens

“Applying for jobs is like dating,” says Rebecca Goodman, 26.  “Either they’re interested or they’re not. Plus there’s the whole trying-on-outfits-before-the-interview, which feels a lot like getting dressed for a first date.”

Rebecca speaks from experience.  It took a number of jobs (and countless applications and interviews) to land her current position.  As an account manager for big-name fashion houses, she handles press and media coverage, plans events and—most thrilling of all—organizes fashion shows.  “I’ve finally found a place where I feel comfortable and open with the people I work with, and where I’m excited and challenged every day,” she says.

For Rebecca, whose love for fashion bloomed in junior high while following trends in issues of YM and Seventeen, her success has stemmed directly from her persistence.  “It’s really about being aggressive.  You have to know what you want and go for it.  I’ve never worried, ‘Oh I don’t know if I should call since I already emailed.’  I just called.”

This take-charge attitude could scare off potential dates, but it has worked wonders in Rebecca’s professional life.  While a junior at the University of Michigan, majoring in communications and media studies, she ripped out every fashion ad from issues of Vogue, Elle and Bazaar, researched each line and found contact information, and sent her résumé.  She landed interviews in New York with Ralph Lauren, Chanel and then Henri Bendel, which hired her for a two-month marketing and PR internship.  From working hands-on with the clothing to dealing with fashion editors to planning trunk shows, Rebecca loved all the responsibilities.  “There are a ton of different sectors in the fashion industry; my internship helped me recognize that marketing and PR are where I fit in,” she says.

Once she graduated from the University of Michigan, Rebecca returned to New York and once again found a job through dogged persistence.   She saw a posting on hotjobs.com for a PR assistant at Ferragamo and sent them her résumé every day.  When she hadn’t heard back after a few days, she called and asked to speak with someone in Human Resources.  From there, she scheduled an interview and got the job.

While there, she learned one of the most important lessons of her career.  During her first month on the job, she sent out an event invitation with the wrong date on it.  “Don’t rush through your work,” she admonishes. “Quadruple check everything. I thought for sure I was going to be fired.”

Rebecca wasn’t fired, but she eventually outgrew her position at Ferragamo and started looking elsewhere.  After four months and fifteen interviews, she was hired as a PR Manager at Hermes.  She stayed for only six months—she didn’t feel challenged in her role—and started freelance styling for Kelly Ripa, which eventually led to her current position.

Rebecca has found a perfect professional match at Paul Wilmot Communications.  She considers her coworkers as friends, and her responsibilities a privilege.   “Fashion week is the most stressful, but most exciting time of my year,” she says.  In addition to working backstage, and meeting fashion icons like Victoria Beckham and Vogue editor Anna Wintour, she witnesses firsthand the artwork of masters such as Oscar de la Renta.  “When I see the looks come down the runway, I pinch myself.”

“Never settle for something you’re not happy doing, even if it pays the bills,” says Rebecca.  “You really need to love what you’re doing.  You’re not going to grow or be successful if it’s not something you care about.”

Sounds like good dating advice.