Top 5 Architecture Resume and Portfolio Tips

There are a few mistakes I repeatedly see in student and graduate resumes and portfolios, and it’s really easy to make sure you don’t make them too.

I’ve worked in three very different architectural firms. I’ve been directly involved in three rounds of hiring in my current role, and have viewed more than 100 resumes and portfolios, with several following through to interview stage. I’ve also been offering formal resume and portfolio reviews through this page for about a year now. I can tell you with confidence that there is a simple process to creating a powerful architecture resume and portfolio, but that many people make the same easily fixed mistakes and miss the same readily grasped opportunities.

So, here it is, three common mistakes and two opportunities you should grab with both hands.

1: MAKE IT READABLE

I’m shocked how many resumes and portfolios I’ve read in the last year that come in a blocky font, all written in capitals! Have you ever tried to read a paragraph in all caps? It’s nearly impossible, and frankly, if you’re a design professional trying to demonstrate your design and communication skills to a potential employer, this is an easy way to be quickly dismissed.

DO: Make sure your font and paragraph layouts are easy to read.

2: THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR SPELLING MISTAKES

I’ll admit I’m not spelling and grammar genius, or even competent to an average level. In fact, I just misspelt grammar as I was typing that sentence! The reality is we speak a language in which this is a grammatically correct sentence: “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.” (You’re going to have to google it, I’m not going there). And with most of you creating your resumes and portfolios in InDesign and Photoshop where dynamic spelling has to be manually turned on, the odds can at times seem stacked against us.

But these days there’s just no excuse for these mistakes - we have technology waiting at our fingertips ready to correct us, so it looks really lazy if you’ve neglected to polish your communication. I’m not about to tell you to simply switch on spell check or type in Microsoft word, because, ladies and gentlemen, we are living in the future and I have a secret weapon to share with you. It’s called Grammarly, and the basic version (which is all I’m currently using) is completely free, forever. The best thing about it is that you can switch it on to be active in everything you use! I’m currently typing in a web browser and it’s magically fixing all of my errors as I go - including spelling, grammar and tone of voice. It’s really a no brainer to try it out, and I’d even suggest trying the free premium trial when it comes to finalising your University essays this year.

I’m such a fan of Grammarly, and I find myself recommending it so much, that I’ve become an affiliate. So if you decide to give it a try, please use my link as I get a little thanks for recommending you (which helps me keep creating this free content!)

DO: Let a machine check your spelling and grammar because it’s something machines do better than most humans, and poor spelling and grammar look lazy.

3. PAY ATTENTION TO DESIGN

You’re applying for a job as a designer, yet so many people seem to focus on the content in their resume and portfolio over the presentation. If you’re trying to tell me that you’re a skilled and passionate young architect with great attention to detail, but your text boxes don’t align, or there’s inconsistent use of graphic elements, or, my pet hate, you haven’t bothered to turn ‘hyphenation’ off in InDesign, then I’m immediately going to question your skills.

DO: Treat your resume and portfolio as an opportunity to demonstrate your design skills. This doesn’t mean it has to be fancy, but be careful about respecting alignment, consistency, hierarchy, and white space.

4. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT MAKING IT, BUT ALSO ABOUT HOW YOU DELIVER IT

Many job-seekers finish their resume and portfolio and think they can then spray it out to all potential employers. This is a big no-no, particularly in the current competitive jobs market. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know how big I am on personalising your approach for each firm. A lot of the content in our free Jobseeker Workbook focuses on building networks, researching firms, and reaching out in a way that demonstrates true interest and initiative. I believe delivering a resume and portfolio is a great opportunity to pop into an office in person and create the opportunity to view the space, meet at least one staff member and maybe even ask if you can meet one of the senior staff members (who you will ask for by name) and then offer them a smile, eye contact, and (once this pandemic passes) a hand-shake. I’m also a big fan of this method because, in my experience, a beautifully printed portfolio gets a lot more of my attention than one of many that I’ve received digitally. Yes, you should still either start with, or follow up with a digital version (so they can file you easily), but why wouldn’t you also create an opportunity to get ahead and stand out by showing up in person?

DO: Deliver a good quality printed version of your portfolio and resume, along with a digitally sent copy.

(p.s. If dropping in isn’t an option, due to distance or COVID-19 restrictions, be brave and record a brief introductory video to send - like a video cover letter.)

5. LEARN FROM EACH EXPERIENCE

When you’re job hunting, it’s likely you won’t be successful the first time you contact a company or apply for a position. Don’t just abandon the experience as soon as you get a negative response. If you’ve been told the firm isn’t currently hiring, then ask when you should get back in touch in the future, and follow-through (put a reminder in your diary!). I have a friend who was hired purely because he followed through in six month’s time, to the exact day, which impressed the firm greatly. Similarly, if someone else is awarded the position, ask for feedback on your material! You’ve just had a potential employer study it and for some reason, they haven’t chosen you - it’s a golden opportunity to see if you can get a sense for why that might have been and make note of ways in which you might be able to improve your material or approach.

DO: Seek feedback from unsuccessful attempts.

If you apply these five lessons, you’re already doing better than most. When you’re job hunting in a competitive market, it can sometimes be these little things that make all the difference.

If you’re keen for more tips like the ones above, please check out our Portfolio and Resume Preparation Workbook and our Job Interview Preparation Workbook. (Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive 25% off.)

Above all, keep believing in yourself and keep your internal voice positive because you’ve got your whole life to build the kind of architecture career that you want for yourself.