How to *Really* Get Hired at an Architecture Firm; Strategies for the New Economy
We recently hired on a junior architect here at BUILD, which takes our bustling little design-build firm from 4 people to a whopping 5. Despite the dozens of resumes we receive each week, we hire on very rarely. Subsequently, it got us thinking about what really makes the difference between all the resumes that get filed away and the candidate that lands the job. If you follow the BUILDblog, you know that we’re big on transparency and communication; so we’ve done our best to elaborate on 5 key observations and recommendations for the work-hungry recent architecture graduates out there. Take it with a grain of salt; this isn’t the politically correct version -this is the down in the trenches, get ‘er done version. This is the hack-the-system and actually get a job version. This is the version for individuals who are tired of waiting around for professional experience and are ready to go to work. Here goes:
1. THE BASICS ARE ONLY THE BASICS. As a candidate for employment, you absolutely have to have a clean, concise resume and an online portfolio of your work. These items don’t separate you from anyone else -they are the givens, the fundamentals. And while the quality of your resume and portfolio matter, they are not enough on their own (refer to items 2-5). Stop thinking that once you’ve got a cover letter, a resume and a portfolio that your phone should be ringing off the hook.
TIP: Clever candidates carry around a business card with their contact information and a link to their online resume & online portfolio. When they see a potential employer at an event or a coffee shop they can promote themselves easily and quickly. Smart.
2. USE YOUR PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS. We’re constantly amazed at how often the same approach is used by candidates. The traditional formula of sending a cover letter and a resume may work in a busy economy but, in case you haven’t noticed, this is the most challenging economy of our lifetimes; there are dozens of well qualified candidates for every available position in the architecture profession right now.
TIP: You’ve been trained in problem solving by that awesome school that you got your distinguished architecture degree from. You already know how to tackle the challenging economy out there; it’s simply a different problem to apply those same skills to. When you were given a design problem back in studio, did you look over at your neighbor and copy what they were doing? No, you used your problem solving skills to come up with your own unique solution. This is no different. Using the same formula as every other candidate out there right now is like building a spec home and expecting a bidding war of home buyers. You’re an architect in training, you’re creative –stop building spec homes and put those problem solving skills to use.
3. BE SOCIAL. We would all like to believe that if we work hard enough and long enough and produce beautiful work, that our talents will be sought out by the powers that be. This is not the way the world works (at least not for us). Architecture is just as much about communication, social skills, and networking as being a good designer.
TIP: Use everything you’ve got. Meet up with that old designer buddy of your fathers; they probably see 10 opportunities that you don’t. Get personally involved with a design tribe, be it an architecture blog, a regional journal like Arcade, or a non-profit like Habitat for Humanity. Be curious, be part of the discussion, matter. Who you are and how you are actually matter more to a potential employer than what is on your resume. Are you an excellent problem solver, do you have a silver tongue, did you take the time and effort to make it to the lecture? The things that don’t appear on a resume are what give you an edge. We keep track of the individuals that keep popping up on the radar -most architects do.
4. SHOW UP. Employers like to hire individuals that are “in the game,” individuals who employ actions instead of excuses. Showing up on time to an event with a go-get-‘em attitude is profoundly more memorable than a stack of resumes.
TIP: Keep tabs on the firms that you’re most serious about. They likely give lectures, attend architecture & community events and get coffee at the same place every day. Use social media to track the events they’re involved with and get them on your calendar. Here at BUILD we routinely post our upcoming events on the BUILDblog and twitter. Wasn’t it Woody Allen who said that “Showing up is eighty percent of life.” And he’s a schmuck – you can certainly show more enthusiasm than Woody friggin Allen.
5. FACE TIME. Getting yourself in front of a potential employer is imperative. A face and a personality to go along with that resume and portfolio do wonders for your chances of getting hired. Getting in front of a potential employer isn’t superfluous to the application process and it certainly doesn’t happen because of luck; it’s necessary and requires strategy.
TIP: Most potential employers don’t have the time or inclination to individually meet with everyone that sends in a resume. Be strategic and show up to key events (refer to #4) and introduce yourself to potential employers. We recently gave a lecture with Gordon Walker downtown, and out of all the young architects in Seattle slinging their resumes around, only one individual took the initiative to introduce himself after the lecture. Smart. He had a card with his contact info and links to his online resume and portfolio. Smart. He now works at BUILD LLC.
That’s our two cents. Take it, think about it, or leave it on the table.
Cheers from team BUILD
21 Comments
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By Andrew Boimila, July 22, 2011 @ 7:56 am
This was a very helpful post. There has been a short discussion about things of this matter on my blog, well pretty sure everywhere, but thats beyond the point.
A panel was recently held on the “business” of architecture and all five of the panel memebers agreed that in todays world getting a job is all about communication and connection. Most firms hire from within or by referals from within, making sure to keep that “family” atmosphere in the office.
The review can be seen here: http://bit.ly/oUiBr6
By Liddy, July 22, 2011 @ 8:28 am
As hiring manager for a mid-sized architecture firm, I’m constantly amazed at how often the same tactic is used to try and secure employment (resume and PDF portfolio via email, no phone call). It’s absolutely mind-numbing in an industry known for creativity. I often wonder if it’s a condition of current architectural education. In other words, are architects no longer trained to be creative?
By Gus, July 22, 2011 @ 9:10 am
…and this is supposed to be the generation of social networking!?!
By brandon sargent, July 22, 2011 @ 9:34 am
its important to review the firm’s directions for submitting materials. if the listing says no phone calls/no mailed portfolios, you can bet they mean it.
By Shawn Busse, July 22, 2011 @ 9:47 am
Hey Guys,
This is a great post, and a tremendous value to job seekers in the professional services field.
Our marketing firm faces some similar challenges. I grew increasingly exasperated by the process used by applicants and finally created a “top 5 things not to do if you want a job at a creative firm.” The post sparked some interesting conversations, and I’d love to hear your thoughts: http://www.kinesisinc.com/strategy/how-to-get-a-job-at-a-creative-firm/
By Build LLC, July 22, 2011 @ 10:00 am
That’s a great list Shawn. Knowing what NOT to do as a potential employee is every bit as important as knowing what to do. At the top of our “Don’t Do” list is a candidate telling us that they’d be a “perfect fit” for our firm. We’ll be the one’s determining that thank you very much.
By Build LLC, July 22, 2011 @ 10:01 am
@Brandon -good point. Also a good reminder that we need to get some parameters on our website.
By Build LLC, July 22, 2011 @ 10:04 am
@Andrew -agreed, the “family atmosphere” is highly sought after for smaller firms. Thanks for the link.
By brad, July 23, 2011 @ 6:06 pm
Thanks for the input guys – solid as always.
I’ll be looking for the “How to *Really* Get Hired at an Architecture Firm if you are old enough to miss learning Revit in school but not old enough to have 10 years of experience in hospital design; Strategies for the New Economy” post.
Its the same list, but I just had to vent.
Thanks!
By Terrence Wagner, July 24, 2011 @ 12:19 pm
As always a great post on a relevant topic.
I review all of our resumes that come into our office and am always surprised by the poor quality and lack of good sense put into many of them.
I start by looking at a couple of critical points.
First presentation. Is the cover letter and resume composed well graphically. Do they have a concept as to what white space is. Are any graphics appropriate or do they only serve to illustrate that graphic design is not their forte.
Second is the cover letter directed to our firm or is this what everyone else is seeing? Do they show an understanding of our work. Also I know everyone loves the Ballard Library but we have built a lot more than that and you will not gain anything over all of the other resumes that say the same thing.
Third is a work sample. Even if you are directing someone to a website there needs to be something that piques interest. I feel that one page of images that give the sense you are going to discover something amazing if you go to the link or have the applicant cone in for an interview is better than 10 to 20 pages explaining every line you drew in school. Find your most powerful images and give them room to be seen.
Last is a technical issue. If you send an email with your cover letter, resume and work samples first make sure the recipient wants the information that way and second make sure it is sized appropriately. I cannot tell you how many mornings i have spendt having to try and download 10 to 15+ mb PDFs that are clogging my inbox. The same consideration should be taken on website. Don’t post huge files that take forever to load because unless they are spectacular it is the last time the reviewer will spend on you.
The last item is if you have worked for 10 to 20 years all of these same rules apply to you. You don’t need to list everything you have ever done but your resume and cover letter need to be every bit as sharp as someone just starting out.
By Build LLC, July 25, 2011 @ 7:30 am
@ Terrence -that’s a great review of your process, thanks for laying it out.
By Build LLC, July 25, 2011 @ 7:30 am
@ Brad – LOL, we’ll get to work on that one.
By Eric L. Drivdahl, August 16, 2011 @ 4:41 pm
Tip #6 – Which sums up most of 2-5. “Do WHATEVER it takes to get in front of the person who has the power to hire you.” This has been and remains the best advice on this issue I’ve ever received.
I entered the profession on the heals of the early ’90′s recession. I put this idea into practice and had 3 job offers within 2 weeks of moving to a City and State that I knew no one. And besides…it would have been damn hard to live off my wife’s grad school stipend.
I moved back to the Seattle Area just after the dot.com bust and faced the same situation w/ minimal prospects. Nonetheless, working the same idea, I again had 3 job offers within 2 weeks of hitting the pavement in Seattle.
Have a practiced speach that takes 30 seconds to 1 min. that sells you as an employee, so that when you finally reach that person, you don’t waste their time.
And lastly…Don’t ask what the world needs. Rather ask – what makes you come alive? Then go do it! Because what the world needs are people who are fully alive.
By Huy Truong, September 8, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
Thank you so much for sharing. Very useful
By Greg Scott, January 24, 2012 @ 5:24 pm
Great post Build!
By David, February 29, 2012 @ 4:04 pm
And be confident. I have lost so many jobs because of this. Seemingly, knowing a bit about the company and its cultures is sooooo helpful….