Sofia Valentina Blog: The architecture resume that gets you hired (Templates included)

Are you looking to create that perfect architecture resume for your new job? As an architect, you offer your clients a professional service. You not only design attractive buildings to suit the lifestyles or commercial needs of your clients, but you also produce attractive and very safe structures.

As an architect you will consult with homeowners, property developers and commercial clients, advising them on both new developments and existing building models. You’ll take how your clients want to use a building into consideration and assess the surrounding environment. You’ll help a client formulate ideas, put these ideas into design and work with a project until completion. You’ll be able to advise on materials, work within budgets and give your clients building estimates. You can advise on schedules, draw up designs and visit building sites.

Many architectural projects take years to complete and so you may be working on more than one site at once. This means long work hours and busy schedules.

As an architect you want to get in as much work as possible and show of your skills to potential clients. You know exactly how to create an attractive resume. You may wonder how to word this resume in order to show off your skills to full capacity. Let’s have a look at what to include in an architectural resume to give you the best chance of standing out from the competition.

Explore the process of working in the architecture field

Your architectural resume should show what you have to offer as an architect. You entered into the field because you have a passion for buildings and you want to add your creative touch to a cityscape or skyline. You’re passionate about your work and enjoy collaborating on projects. Not only do you have great teamwork skills but you can assess a site and create spaces which fulfill your clients’ needs. This is what you will need to include in your architectural resume.

As an architect you may be self employed, with the ability to work flexibly. Point out what you have to offer over and above the competition in your architect’s CV. After all, you are part of an expanding profession with a great many employment opportunities.

Should you prepare a resume?

Although your portfolio may speak for itself, a well prepared architect resume will add weight to your application. It forms a vital part of your job search. You can use your architectural resume to show clients your education, work history and skills. Use your architects resume to cast yourself in the best possible light.

What do employers want to see in an architect resume?

When you apply for a job, your potential employers would like to see your past experience. By showing the projects you have worked on or the companies you have worked with, you’ll show where your experience lies.

Your employer would also like to see any projects you have worked on while gaining an education, and this is particularly important if you are new to the field. Share your responsibilities as well as any awards or achievements within the field.

Which skills should you highlight in your architectural resume?

Architectural work involves collaboration. Include your ability to work in teams in your architect resume. Include the different stages of work and how you work with the design process in your architectural CV.
Share how you have played a role in a larger team collaboration as well as any mentoring you have given to junior staff.
Explain how you have overcome any complex problems including working with legal requirements.
Describe your technical skills and how these plays a role in working with clients and staff.
Share your experiences as a designer, as a manager, and how you have made independent decisions in order to guide teams.
Lay out your ability to work with budgets, time limits and legal codes in order to produce excellent results.
Show your ability to consult with project managers and construction professionals in order to come up with effective plans.
Share your presentation skills and how this assists with marketing and design.
Describe your quality assurance skills and your ability to ensure a project is completed on time and at a high standard.

Creative architecture resume tips

Use columns to keep your architectural resume concise

Your clients will be looking at a number of different resumes and you will want yours to be both succinct and easy to read. Keep your resume short and use columns to increase legibility.

Keep your work history relevant. Let your employer know of your latest work and educational experiences. These will have the most impact on your current application.

Keep your biographical details concise and your headings distinct so that your employer can easily find and absorb relevant information. Make this information stand out.

By placing headers in your first column and bullet points in the wider column, your potential employer will be able to find information easily. You’ll also make great use of space.

Structure your architecture resume

By organizing your information into clear headings and subheadings, your resume will appear simple and easy to digest. You’ll stand out from the competition by offering up a resume which is both visually attractive and easy to read.

Once you’ve determined the clearest and most concise information, it is time to make sure it is easy to absorb. Keep information precise. Your reader won’t want to linger over long paragraphs.

Create bullet points and clear headings, eliminating all unnecessary words. Keep all relevant information together, with your most relevant work experience given priority.

Focus on the top half of your architectural resume

Anything impressive should be placed in at the top half of your architect resume. Your future employer will focus more on the top half of your architectural resume so this is the place for your most vital information. Keep your headers small so that you ensure you have space.

Catch the eye with resume infographics

If you’d like to keep your architectural CV interesting yet professional, infographics will add unique appeal.

If you’d like to use infographics in your professional architectural resume, it will help to create a grid, using three columns and five rows. Place your data in each section of the grid. This could be your awards, education or special projects worked on.

You could even list your work experience in chronological order or make space for your hobbies and interests.

Mirror the company colors on your architecture portfolio resume

What better way to show you’ll fit in than by mirroring the company’s corporate colors on your architectural resume? By mirroring the company’s font or brand, you will show that you will fit in. You’ll also show that you are passionate about detail and have done some research into the company.

Submit a digital architect resume

Printed professional architectural resumes have a traditional appeal and many companies will expect you to bring a printed architectural resume to an interview. However, by offering something creative you will reveal yourself to be an out of the box thinker.

If you’re looking to show your design skills, a digital architectural resume offers you a great opportunity. Customized architectural resumes will help you to stand out from the crowd.

Keep your architectural resume professional

As an architect, you’ll want to show off your creative skills. You will also want to submit a very professional architectural resume. Balancing these two elements is crucial if you want to stand out from the crowd yet still have your resume taken seriously.

Keeping your resume interesting yet understated will create balance. Allow your architectural resume to reflect the aesthetic balance you will put into your work and yet uphold the structure, knowledge and tradition of the field.

Architecture resume templates

Free architect resume template

Are you looking for a modern architect resume template which can be freely downloaded?

Explore high quality layouts and professional designs which can be easily customized to help you stand out from the crowds. This is perfect for those who want to send out a highly professional architectural resume.