Recruiter Tips

More Than a Search: The Value of the Right Recruiting Partnership

More Than a Search: The Value of the Right Recruiting Partnership

Finding great talent starts with understanding what makes a brand different.

Experience and skillset will always play an important role in hiring, but they only tell part of the story. Every brand has its own culture, aesthetic, values, and point of view. Together, those pieces make up its brand DNA—and the people behind the brand become an extension of it.

At EB, understanding that DNA is where the recruiting process begins. Our team comes from the fashion, home, and beauty industries, giving us firsthand knowledge of the space and the people within it. We pair our industry experience with something equally as important: taking the time to understand what makes each individual brand its own.

Knowing the Brand Behind the Role

A job description can outline responsibilities, experience, and qualifications. What it can't always capture are the details that make someone feel right for a particular team.

A fast-growing brand may need someone who feels comfortable building as they go. An established team may be looking for a specific category background or someone who can bring a new perspective. Culture, working style, product, customer, and future goals can all shape what the right fit looks like.

This is where brand DNA becomes an important part of the conversation. Before getting too far into a search, we want to understand the bigger picture. The more we know about the brand itself, the more intentional we can be about the people we introduce.

That understanding works both ways. It also allows us to talk with candidates about more than the position. We can share the story behind the opportunity and give them a sense of the brand they could become part of.

From the Industry, For the Industry

Each industry has their own nuances. Job titles vary between brands, category experience can carry a lot of weight, and two resumes that look similar at first glance can represent very different backgrounds.

Many members of the EB team have worked within these industries before moving into recruiting. These experiences give us a natural familiarity with the roles we're hiring for and helps us recognize the details that matter.

We're also constantly connected to the talent market. Conversations happen every day with people across design, merchandising, product, digital, retail, and beyond. Some are actively looking for what's next; many aren't.

Over time, those conversations turn into relationships. When a new search begins, in addition to reviewing the applications coming in, we also are able to connect with people we've gotten to know throughout their careers.

Working as an Extension of the Team

A recruiting partnership works best when it feels collaborative.

Our clients bring an understanding of their business that no outside partner could replace. We bring our knowledge of the industry, talent network, and perspective from being in the hiring market every day. Combining the two gives us a much fuller picture of the search.

That collaboration continues as the process moves forward. Candidate feedback can lead to a conversation about the market. An interview might uncover something new about what the team needs. Priorities can shift. The search evolves, and we evolve with it.

Meanwhile, our team keeps the day-to-day pieces moving—from sourcing and screening to scheduling and candidate communication. The internal team stays connected without having to carry every part of the search on its own.

One Search Can Turn Into a Lasting Partnership

Some of our client relationships have grown over years and across many different hires. There's a real benefit to that history.

With each search, we learn more. We get to know the team and the personalities within it. We see which backgrounds have worked well in the past and gain a better understanding of where the business is headed.

Most importantly, we continue learning the brand's DNA.

That knowledge doesn't disappear when a position is filled. It carries into the next conversation, the next hire, and the next stage of growth.

At EB, that's the kind of recruiting partnership we value most. One built on industry experience, relationships, and a genuine understanding of the brand.

The goal isn't simply to find someone who can do the job. It's to find talent who connects with what the brand stands for and can become part of where it's going next.

More on finding the right talent for your brand:

Simple Resume Updates That Can Make a Big Difference

Simple Resume Updates That Can Make a Big Difference

A resume is often the first introduction to a recruiter or hiring manager. It's more than a list of past roles—it's a snapshot of experience, strengths, and the kind of work that brings the most value.

Whether applying for a role in design, merchandising, product development, digital, eCommerce, or retail, a few simple updates can make a resume easier to read and help the right experience stand out.

Here are a few resume habits we come across often and some easy ways to strengthen them.

Including Every Job You've Ever Had

As careers grow, resumes naturally get longer. But that doesn't always mean they get stronger.

Instead of including every position from the beginning of a career, focus on the experience that's most relevant to the roles you're most interested in today. Older positions can often be shortened or removed if they no longer add meaningful context.

A focused resume gives recent accomplishments, leadership experience, and industry expertise the attention they deserve.

Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Most resumes explain what someone was responsible for. The ones that stand out also show the impact of that work.

Think about what changed because of those contributions. Maybe sales increased, a product launch was successful, a process became more efficient, or a new initiative helped the business grow. Those details help bring experience to life and give hiring teams a better understanding of the value behind each role.

Whenever possible, include measurable results to add context and credibility.

Using the Same Resume for Every Application

Every brand is different, and every role has its own priorities.

A resume doesn't need a complete rewrite for each application, but making a few thoughtful adjustments can go a long way. Highlighting the most relevant experience, updating a professional summary, or reordering bullet points helps create a stronger connection between previous experience and the opportunity.

Those small changes often make a big difference.

Making the Important Details Hard to Find

Recruiters spend a surprisingly short amount of time reviewing resumes during an initial screen.

Category expertise, software knowledge, leadership experience, certifications, and technical skills are all worth making easy to spot. Clean formatting, clear section headings, and concise bullet points help guide the reader to the most important information quickly.

Sometimes, simpler really is better.

Forgetting About LinkedIn and Your Portfolio

A resume is only one piece of the picture.

LinkedIn, online portfolios, and personal websites should all tell the same story. Consistent job titles, dates, and recent work help reinforce credibility and make it easier for recruiters to understand someone's background.

For creative roles, keeping a portfolio updated is just as important as updating a resume.

Missing the Final Review

Even the strongest resumes can be held back by small details.

Typos, inconsistent formatting, outdated contact information, or broken portfolio links are easy to overlook but also easy to fix. Taking one last look before hitting submit—or asking someone else to review it—can make all the difference.

A Few Small Updates Can Go a Long Way

A great resume doesn't tell the story of an entire career—it tells the story that's most relevant today.

Keeping it focused, highlighting accomplishments, and making it easy to navigate helps recruiters and hiring managers quickly understand where experience and expertise align.

At EB, resume conversations are part of what we do every day. Working with professionals across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle gives us a front-row seat to what stands out in today's hiring market. Whether it's sharing resume feedback, reviewing a portfolio, or talking through the next career move, we're always happy to be a resource.

Additional resume tips:

How to Find Candidates in Remote Areas

Sourcing talent in remote areas comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. While some regions may have a smaller talent pool, they can also be home to highly skilled professionals who are overlooked due to location. With the rise of remote work and digital hiring strategies, companies have more access than ever to untapped talent markets.

Recruiting from remote areas has its pros and cons. On the plus side, hiring from these locations can provide access to candidates with unique skill sets and perspectives, often at more competitive salary ranges than in major metropolitan areas. It can also foster greater diversity and a broader talent pipeline. However, challenges like time zone differences and limited local professional networks can make the process more complex.

Best practices for identifying and reaching candidates in remote markets start with a strong digital recruitment strategy. Leveraging local job boards, online communities, and regional networking events can help surface great talent. Personalized outreach and clear communication about remote work expectations also go a long way in engaging candidates who may not actively be job searching.

Various tools and platforms can aid in remote recruitment. Industry job boards and specialized recruiters can be useful for sourcing talent, while platforms like Zoom, HireVue, and other video interview tools streamline the hiring process. AI-driven sourcing tools can also help identify passive candidates in specific regions.

At Emerging Blue, we have successfully executed remote recruitment campaigns for fashion, home, and beauty brands looking to expand their teams beyond traditional hiring hubs. Whether it’s finding an eCommerce expert in a small town or a marketing strategist in a non-traditional market, we connect companies with the right talent, no matter where they are.

Need help sourcing candidates in remote areas? Our team specializes in finding top talent in every corner of the country. Let’s connect and build your team together!


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How To Prepare For A Last-Minute Interview

When a company’s search for talent is a top priority, like it is for most businesses in today’s job market, we often see the interview process pick up speed. A prompt pace in the interview process allows for a more efficient, natural flow of conversation between client and candidate.

While recruiters and hiring managers are working overtime to find the best talent, there’s a good chance that you could be asked to interview without much lead-time. Though they aren’t always ideal, last-minute interviews are pretty inevitable. To be best prepared for an interview that could happen at the drop-of-a-hat, here are some great tips from Forbes.

  1. Research the company, team, and role.

  2. Review your elevator pitch.

  3. Update your START stories.

  4. Prepare questions for your interviewers.

    Click here to read the full article from Forbes.

Laid Off? Take a Deep Breath and Then Take Action

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· Acknowledge the emotions! It’s totally fine to go through the emotional stages. Whether you’re angry, sad, fearful, shocked, happy… feel it. These emotions will inevitably help you move forward.

· Check unemployment benefits. Reach out to your local state employment agency to see if you’re eligible for unemployment benefits. Click here for more information on filing for unemployment.

· Talk it through. This is a great opportunity to reach out to past friends, colleagues, collegemates, and whoever else is in your network.

· Make a list of companies who are hiring, and then narrow it down to the ones that you’re interested in and passionate about.

· LinkedIn should be your new best friend. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile set up, then this is the time to make one. If you already have one, update it.

· Network like it’s your job. After you’ve embraced the emotions that follow from being laid-off and have created a road map of companies you’re interested in and where you want to go, next up is to network with people outside of your current network. Don’t forget to add a personalized message when adding new people on LinkedIn.

· Connect with a recruitment agency. Recruitment agencies are fantastic resources to help job seekers as well as they have tons of connections with companies, and even better, they know who’s hiring. Here at Emerging Blue, we love supporting job seekers.

About Emerging Blue:

Emerging Blue is a brand focused talent resource partner that represents freelance, temp-to-perm, and full-time talent in Fashion, Home and Beauty. We fill jobs from San Francisco to New York, and everywhere in-between. We represent top candidates, the hottest brands and innovative companies of all shapes and sizes. If you need recruitment and hiring support, we would love to partner with you. Our talent is your strength. Get in touch with us at info@emergingblue.com.

Video Interviews…Ready for Your Close-up?  

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As some companies are moving towards video and Facetime interviews, being ready for your video close-up could make all the difference. Here are a few tips from our team of recruiters on being ready for video interviews.

1. Location, location. Pick a quiet place to interview without an elaborate backdrop so that you can be the focal point on the screen. No one wants to see your kitchen…or your ceiling. Remember to check your camera angles.

2. Check your lighting. Keep in mind that a bright window or light source behind you may cast your face in darkness. Test out camera placement beforehand to get your lighting just right.

3. Look at the camera, not the screen. While watching yourself during a video interview is oh so tempting, it may come across to the interviewer that you’re not making eye contact. Looking directly at the camera is a great way to avoid this.

4. Dress the part. When it comes to what to wear, treat your video interview like an in-person interview and dress appropriately from head to toe (or at least from head to waist!).

5. Practice makes perfect.  Having a practice interview with a friend beforehand is helpful because your first few video calls may feel awkward, especially if you are getting used to the technology.

6. Close other programs on your computer.  Getting email notifications and other pop-ups during your interview can be distracting (especially if they make noise). We recommend to make sure all other windows on your computer are closed before your interview.

7. Use notes.  Don’t be afraid to help yourself with post-it notes or a copy of your resume. One benefit of having a video interview is that you can have some key reminders in front of you. Keep in mind however, they are notes, not a script. Avoid sounding like you are reading out loud.

8. Avoid interruptions.  While we might personally love if your dog jumps into your lap during an interview, others may not. If you are interviewing in a house with multiple people or pets, be sure to let people know ahead of time and plan for a quiet space. 

9. Keep your profile professional.  Unlike an in-person or phone interview, your first impression during a video interview doesn’t actually involve you. The first thing your interviewer will see is your video username and picture, so double check that they are both interview appropriate (or create a professional Video account).

10. Let your personality shine through. Sometimes it is hard to get a read on a person’s personality via video interviews. We recommend that you let your personality shine through, while keeping it professional. As with any interview, standing out may give you an edge.  Even more so with a video interview.  Showing a little personality can go a long way.

3 Design Portfolio Tips... For Students & Recent Grads

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Recently we were invited by two local fashion schools to review graduates’ portfolios.  It was impossible not to be blown away by the level of planning, the quality of storytelling, and the caliber of designs – from classic to edgy – that went into most of these presentations. Not to mention the energy was electric. Great job teachers and students!

If we were to offer three simple tips to you, inspiring and gifted designers, to help you make a great impression on job interviews, here’s what they would be:

1. DON’T make your portfolio oversized.  Wide open spaces are as unflattering as the superfluous graphics used to fill in the space are.  An 8.5 x 11 portfolio is a standard..and common size. With that being said, if you have a lot of content that you feel confident and passionate about, you should absolutely use the next size up.

2. DON’T bind your portfolio.  An unbound portfolio allows for additional pages to be added, or for the content to be shifted around to highlight your newest work … or, sometimes more importantly, to showcase work for a specific job interview.

3. DON’T do giveaways.  Whatever the “gift”, it’s an unnecessary, and sometimes awkward thing to do.  Let your work impress the viewer. If you feel compelled to give something away, have your business cards or resume ready.

Hopefully these tips will help you to tweak your approach to showcasing your style and essentially marketing your personal brand. It’s a crazy competitive world out there, but your talent, hard work and attention to detail will pay off.