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Kudos for having survived Architecture school! Now that you're done with 5 long years of back-breaking hard work and constant sleep deprivation, you're probably eager to start your career. However, finding a good first job in the field of architecture can prove to be a challenge. There's a lot of competition out there, and it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. But don't worry, with a bit of preparation and effort, you can increase your chances of getting hired.
In this guide, we'll cover tips and strategies on how to land a job in architecture, specifically for fresh graduates.
Building Your Architecture Portfolio
Your architecture portfolio is the first (and most important) thing that potential employers will see when they're considering you for a job. It is extremely important to make a strong, professional portfolio presenting your best work and showing off your skills and abilities.
Here are some tips on how to build a standout architecture portfolio:
Focus on quality over quantity. The odds would be more in your favour if you showcase a few excellent projects, instead of presenting many mediocre ones. Invest time in your portfolio, and do not try to finish it off in one day by merging all projects into one PDF. Instead, decide an overall theme or aesthetic for your portfolio, shortlist the projects you're going to showcase, and sit for an hour or two every day and make your graphics more visually appealing. Think of this time and effort as your investment into your future.
Highlight your unique strengths and skills. You would know best what you do better than your classmates- you could have an edge over others in sketching, construction drawings, inking or even a specific aspect of architecture such as facade design. If you're a master renderer, let the views speak. If planning is your forte, decide the scale of your drawing to draw attention to it. Don't be afraid to show off what makes you stand out.
Make sure it's visually appealing and easy to navigate. You want to make a good first impression and make it easy for employers to see your work. Find some portfolios you like on the web or among your friends, carefully plan how you want yours to be, and make it as seamless and effortless for the viewers as possible.
Networking and Making Connections
Illustration by Storyset
Networking is a critical component of landing a job in architecture. By getting in touch with people in the industry, young or well-established, you can stay updated about job openings, get career advice, and make secondary connections that could lead to employment.
Here are some ways to network and make connections in the architecture field:
Attend networking events, mixers and conferences. These present excellent opportunities to meet other architects and the ongoing job trends, and give you a more well-rounded perspective as an architect.
Join professional organizations. You can get involved in local chapters and attend meetings, which can be a great way to meet people and learn about job opportunities.
Connect with alumni from your architecture school. They may have valuable insights and advice to share, and they may even know of job openings.
Make a LinkedIn profile, and search for people and companies in the specific niche you're interested in. Connect with them, talk to them, but stay respectful and appreciate any help they may provide.
Ask your teachers/ professors and classmates as well. They may know of opportunities that you don't.
Polishing Your Resume and Your Cover Letter
Your CV and cover letter are critical components of your job search in architecture. These documents should be well-written, professional, and tailored to the specific job you're applying for.
Courtesy: People illustrations by Storyset
Here are some tips for crafting a strong resume and cover letter:
If you're applying to multiple posts, such as Junior Architect, BIM Modeller and Landscape Architect and Interior Design, customize each application to the specific job. Don't use a generic template or copy and paste the same information for each application.
On a related note, do not apply to multiple companies or fims in the same email. An employer who receives your email and sees that their company is one of the 35 others who have CCd or BCC in the same email may not be too keen to hire you!
Highlight your relevant experience and education. Make sure your resume gives all the needed details, filter out things that are not necessary, and remember to get a second opinion from a friend, a family member or a professional to understand how it may come off to an employer.
Draw attention to your achievements, skills and qualities, and how they make you the perfect fit for the job. Mention your strengths and weaknesses, and any experience you may have in leading academic groups, competition teams, etc. If you completed a freelance project, albeit of a small scale, under budget or in time, highlight it in your resume.
If you have excellent people skills, know a foreign language, play a sport or an instrument exceptionally well, or have any other qualities that paint a fuller picture of your personality, mention them.
Use keywords related to the job and the architecture field. List down your soft skills, leadership capabilites and each software you are proficient at. This will help your resume get noticed by potential employers.
Make sure your resume is ATS friendly. ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, and many companies use ATSs to filter out candidates that don't fit their role. It is hence extremely important to use the right keywords and keep your resume in a readable PDF format.
Give it the Human Touch
While employers may easily lose your resume or portfolio in a pile of all the other applications they get, it might work in your favour to go to their offices to hand deliver yours. Meeting an applicant in person makes the employers remember you better, and if they are looking for someone to join their team, they may interview you on the spot. However, be respectful of their time and do not be too pushy.
Interviewing for an Architecture Job
Once you've landed an interview for an architecture job, it's important to prepare and make a great impression. First impressions are important, and you want to make a good one!
Image Courtesy: cultivatedculture.com
Dress formal, make sure your clothes are clean and ironed, you don't stink of sweat and your phone is on silent.
Before the interview, do a thorough research of the company, their ongoing projects, notable clients, and the specific job you're interviewing for. This will help you understand their needs and how you can demonstrate how you're a good fit. Before every interview, prepare answers to common interview questions that you think may be asked. You can also ask a friend or family member to take a mock interview.
When seated in front of the potential employer, be it physically or online, confidently discuss your experience, skills, and why you're interested in the job. If you're giving a physical interview, make eye contact, and if you're doing it via a video conference, look into the camera when you answer. In both cases, smile and stay confident. Nod when they speak to show your attentiveness. Dress professionally and be on time.
If you do get the job, and if you're in a position to do so, try to negotiate. It is important to portray to the employers that you are confident in your abilities and know your self worth. However, do so only after researching market trends, getting a fair idea of your competition, and evaluating your experience, skill set and other offers (if any).
Q: What if I don't have much experience in the field?
Emphasize your education and skills, and highlight any related experience you have, such as internships or projects. You can also consider taking on freelance or volunteer work to gain more experience. if you're still in your B.Arch years, I would recommend you do an internship over the summer vacations or any other break. The experience would not only help you get a job later, it would also make the rest of your college studies more interesting.
Q: How can I find job openings in architecture?
Check job boards, such as indeed.com or linkedin.com, and professional organizations' websites. Network with people in the industry, attend events and conferences, and connect with alumni from your architecture school. Considering working under any guest lecturers or part-time professors in your university who have a business on the side, and make sure to ask your professors and alumni to keep you posted.
Q: What if I don't get hired right away?
Don't get discouraged. The job search process can take time, and it's important to keep networking and applying for jobs that interest you. Consider taking on freelance or volunteer work to gain more experience and make connections in the industry. Try to make changes in your resume and portfolio to find better opportunities and stand out, and ask people around you for help. Consider walk-in interviews in companies of your choise, connect with recruiters on LinkedIn, and if nothing else works, consider initially settling for whatever you can get, and keep work on yourself by learning new softwares, taking online courses, gaining certifications, and then try again. Once you have added qualifications plus the experience you've gained at the less than ideal job, you will have better chances of getting hired.
Landing your first job in architecture may take time and effort, but with the right preparation and strategies, you can increase your chances of success. Remember to focus on building a strong portfolio, networking and making connections, creating a professional resume and cover letter, and preparing for your job interview. Best of luck in your job search!