Excelle

 Hello All!  I just wanted to put this out there to see if I could gather some advice, because in this tough economy and even tougher job market, I am losing hope... I just recently graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles with my Bachelors in Business Management.  I have also earned my Associates degree in Merchandise Marketing from the Fashion Institute.  I had to move back home with my parents due to limited job opportunities in California.  I have some great internships on my resume, though none specifically to marketing, which is the direction I have chosen to take my career.  I would like to pursue fashion marketing, though there is little to no industry for that in Seattle, where I am now living.  I am trying desperately to "beef up" my resume with temp or intern work to prove my committment to entering the marketing field, but the playing field is competitive and I never hear back from employers.  I check a multitude of sites on a daily basis and I get job alerts sent to my inbox regularly, but still no cigar!  I frequent sites such as Indeed, CareerBuilder, CraigsList, Monster, SimplyHired, etc. for experience-building opportunities, fashion or otherwise.  I am getting so frustrated, and I feel that I am tapping out my resources for jobs, so if anyone can offer any helpul advice, or great job site suggestions, or even words of encouragement,  I would greatly appreciate it!  

Sincerely,

Frustrated Job Hunter/Fashionista (Sarah)

Are you still in Los Angeles? Sometimes the best way to get experience in your particular field is to work for the corporate offices of retailers. Something like Pottery Barn or Gap. Those two companies are up where I live, but I'm sure there's something like that up there. Maybe REI? Have you considered working in merchandising or control buying?

Or to add on to that idea: If you make things to sell, check out Etsy.com. They are a fabulous, indie-focused website where creative people can sell just about anything. Check out their series on quitting your "day job": http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/quit-your-day-job/