"You Have to Love the Brand:" A Conversation with Liz Schatz of Steve Madden®
Photo Caption:
Liz Schatz, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Steve Madden®
Photo Caption:
Meri Faraj, Fashion Merchandising and Management Alumna, Class of 2025
I had the opportunity to speak with Liz Schatz, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Steve Madden®. Before her time at Steve Madden, Schatz held positions at companies like Richemont and Amazon Web Services, and she has built a career around helping others find their place in fashion. But what is most inspirational about Schatz is her honesty, warmth, and passion for connecting people with the right roles.
A Career Path Built on Purpose
Schatz began as a fashion designer after studying design in college. Six months into her first job, Schatz realized design was not her forte, and a visit to a fashion staffing agency changed everything. Instead of helping her find a new role, the agency offered her a position as a receptionist. Schatz rose through the ranks of the agency and became a recruiter, where she found her niche. Schatz explained what made her stand out in recruiting was her background in design as she could speak the language of creatives and understand what fashion teams were seeking. This advantage gave her an edge, which eventually led her to where she is now: helping people land their dream jobs in fashion.
A Day in the Life at Steve Madden
As a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Steve Madden, Schatz spends her days collaborating with a variety of departments from design to marketing to retail.
Schatz’s job is not just about reading resumes, but about understanding the company’s needs, connecting with passionate candidates, and making sure each hire aligns with the brand’s goals. “I speak to hiring managers every day,” Schatz said. “That helps me really understand what each team is looking for.”
Schatz also shared how the company has evolved. Digital tools like LinkedIn, virtual interviews, and artificial intelligence screenings have changed how recruiting works. Schatz emphasized how important it is to stay current with these technologies, especially for recent graduates.
Advice for the Next Generation
One thing Schatz repeated is, “You have to love the brand you’re applying to.” She explained that when she sees a candidate who is truly excited about the company, she is more likely to pass their name along to a hiring manager. Passion can matter more than a perfectly polished resume.
Schatz offered sage advice about applying for jobs: “Don’t just submit a resume – reach out.” With hundreds of applications coming in daily, it is easy for anyone’s resume to get overlooked. “Send me a message on LinkedIn,” Schatz said. “Let us know you applied.” It might seem small, but that extra step can make the difference.
And when I asked what advice she’d give her younger self? “Stop comparing yourself to others. Everything is going to be OK.” I think a lot of us need to hear that.
The Big Takeaways
Talking to Schatz was inspiring. Sometimes, the job hunt can feel overwhelming and uncertain, but Schatz’s story was an important reminder that paths are not always straight, and people need to enjoy the journey. Schatz found her passion by trying something new, taking chances, and keeping an open mind.
Her journey proves that a person’s career can take unexpected turns that can lead a person exactly where they are meant to be.
The views and/or opinions in this article are those of the individuals interviewed. The academic achievements and/or employment outcomes described in this article are specific to each individual and are not a guarantee of similar results for past or current students. For up-to-date and detailed information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu and view our catalogs at BerkeleyCollege.edu/publications.
