Being a successful model is challenging. You are judged by the way you look, and people tend to ignore the qualities beneath the surface that helped you make the grade in what is a notoriously tough industry. As Kiara Moon knows all too well, a model’s look is only one component in a complicated package.

Moon learned the hard way that to succeed as a model; you need a lot more than a pretty face and a svelte body; you need character, charisma, grit, and buckets full of resilience. For all you aspiring models out there, here are five qualities that Moon believes no model should be without. 

Develop a Thick Skin

At times the life of an aspiring model can revolve around waiting for phone calls that never arrive and a series of doors, both figuratively and physically, being slammed in your face. Rejection is part and parcel of the process. The difference between a successful model and one who is not is how they deal with that rejection. Will you let it deflate and break you? Or will you let it ignite your inner fire and fuel your drive to succeed? Remember, if you don’t believe in yourself, no-one else will.

Know Your Value and Use Your Assets 

As with any venture you hope to be successful in, you should not approach your modeling career without a detailed plan that plays to your strengths. Familiarize yourself with your strongest attributes and highlight them. You are your own shop window, and you should know what sells and what doesn’t. Are your smoldering and smokey eyes your knockout attribute? Perhaps it’s your beach-perfect body? Or maybe it’s the cooler-than-cool persona that you can rock so effortlessly. Either way, know your market and rock it as only you can. 

Fashion is a Passion 

This should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many aspiring models don’t have a real passion for fashion. If you don’t, then you can forget about a successful career. You should enthuse and energize everyone in your orbit with your love for fashion; if not, you won’t be going anywhere fast. 

Be Prepared to Work Like a Dog 

Behind the glamor and sophistication of every successful modeling career, there is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Laziness is not tolerated in the industry, so be prepared to work yourself to the point of exhaustion. Those with a strong work ethic and willing to weather it out will easily out-distance those models who think life will be an endless whirl of jet setting and cocktails in the sun. 

Be Kind to Yourself 

Finally, ambition is all well and good, but it shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on your physical and mental well-being. As a model, you are both the business owner and the brand. So look after yourself. Dream big, work hard, but remember, don’t burn yourself out in the process. You need to look and feel great for all those modeling shoots that are coming your way.