Architecture Resume Examples + Writing Advice
Architecture is an incredibly creative, yet very technical field with a lot of nuances. Use our architect resume examples and writing tips!
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Architecture is an incredibly creative, yet very technical field with a lot of nuances. Use our architect resume examples and writing tips!
Architecture is a unique field that combines creativity and technical skills. An architect may need to have knowledge about the structure of homes and buildings, how people typically enjoy living and working in these buildings and how to create something that meets a specific client’s needs. Impress hiring managers by using the architecture resume sample below as a base and editing it in our Resume Builder.
Paste this sample architecture resume onto one of our professional resume templates and make it your own.
Build my resumeMake the most out of your architect resume with these tips:
Read the job description carefully to see what type of architect the employer is looking for. When you tailor your resume to the job by including keywords — such as the skills or requirements listed in the posting — you increase your chances of getting called for an interview as the hiring manager will see that you, as a candidate, match the most. If they use applicant tracking systems (ATS), the software will also scan your resume and see if it matches the job description.
Instead of focusing on daily tasks, highlight major projects you worked on and include metrics when possible. Be as specific as possible about your accomplishments and feature things that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, the type of projects the company works on and the requirements (e.g. “Managed the renovation of a historic building, preserving its architectural integrity while bringing it up to modern building code standards” or “Developed and executed a cost-saving initiative that resulted in a $100,000 reduction in construction expenses for a mixed-use development project.”).
As an architect, your technical skills and hard skills (such as AutoCAD and technical drawings) are the bread and butter of your career, but soft skills are just as important. Traits like creativity, time management and communication skills are necessary to be a well-rounded professional that employers can trust to complete tasks responsibly.
Additional certifications might not be necessary to land the job, but they do solidify your expertise in your field or specialization. Certifications like LEED Accreditation (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), NCARB Certification (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) or AIA Membership (American Institute of Architects) might impress hiring managers.
Instead of using “I was responsible for…” or “I was in charge of designing…” choose from the action verbs below to take your resume to the next level:
For a more detailed list, check our action words article.
Build my resumeOrganize the layout of your resume following one of these formats:
A professional architecture resume should have a well-balanced mix of hard and soft skills. Here are some you can consider for your resume:
The resume header should have your full name, phone number, email address, and your city and state. You can include your LinkedIn handle, as well as a link to your architecture portfolio.
If you have more than three years of experience, write a resume summary with two to three sentences that give an overview of your top skills and experience relevant to the position. Take a look at his architect resume summary example:
Job seekers with less than two years of experience should write a resume objective. This two-to-three-sentence introduction should include your top skills, experience and goals of employment. For example:
Include both hard skills and soft skills, highlighting your technical expertise as well as intangible skills that speak to your ability to communicate with others and manage projects. An architecture resume may include the following:
Many of these skills are elements that you’ll learn as you gain an education in architecture. However, it’s still important to highlight these skills, especially if they’re mentioned in the job description.
Your work experience section will help set you apart from other job seekers. This is because many of the skills that you need to know, like interior design, will best be learned while “on the job.” If you don’t have actual work experience, you can also include academic, volunteer and internship experience.
An education section is key if you’re going to apply for an architecture job. List your educational background and the training you received to become an architect. If you have any certifications relevant to your career, you can include them in this section or create a separate section for them.
For more resume-writing tips, check our How to Make a Resume article.
Do:
Don't:
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Whether you’re writing an architectural designer resume or an architecture intern resume, it should:
There are a few differences between an architect resume and an architect CV.
In the U.S., a CV — or curriculum vitae — is a comprehensive and detailed overview of your career. It can be over eight pages long and include everything from research, publications, presentations, awards and other achievements. CVs are commonly used in academic and research settings, such as applying for academic positions, grants and fellowships.
A resume, on the other hand, is tailored for a specific job application and no more than a page long, unless you have extensive experience, in which case it’s OK for it to be two pages long. It summarizes your top skills, professional history and accomplishments, always keeping it relevant to a specific job you want.
For more on CVs, check out our CV formats, CV templates and CV examples pages.
A good architect resume objective should summarize your top skills, experience and career goals. Typically, objectives are three to four sentences long, as hiring managers typically spend less than a minute reviewing resumes. For example:
“Dynamic architect with two years of experience in architectural design and commercial and residential buildings. Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit and Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong foundation in sustainable design principles. Eager to contribute my creativity and technical skills to a collaborative team where I can continue to develop my expertise and contribute to innovative architectural projects.”
It’s always important that you submit a cover letter with your resume. This helps you get into more detail about how your skills and experiences fit the job. Our architecture cover letter example can give you a better idea of what to include on your cover letter, especially if you’ve never written one before.
You can get an architecture job without formal experience, but if you don’t have work experience, you should definitely have some kind of academic experience. On your resume, list activities like volunteer, academic and internship work to prove that you have what it takes to become an architect.
Yes. Every job posting will have different resume keywords, which indicate what the hiring manager is looking for in their candidate in terms of skills and experiences. Address these keywords in the work experience section, the resume summary and skills section to show hiring managers you’ve got what they’re looking for.
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