How to Build an Architecturally Sound Resume: 9 Tips

The architectural industry has a bright outlook when it comes to employment opportunities. By 2028, the industry will have grown by 44% since 2020, which, by the way, is much faster than other occupations.

Architects have an aesthetic flair and amazing designing skills; they design houses, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure. They combine the precision of Mathematics and Science with the artistic sense and intuition.

A well-crafted resume is an integral part of a job application; it is the first step towards your dream job. While many architects know how to “build” a 'concrete' resume, some architects may encounter problems in building a strong resume.

Similar to the design objectives, an architect resume should have functional content tailored to the requirements of the potential employer. With resume builder sites, you can craft a perfectly tailored architect resume.

Using a generic resume is a common mistake that most people do when applying for a job. It is important to know that different industries demand different skills. Therefore, the pattern or format of the resume also varies from industry to industry.

8 Architecture Resume Tips

When building an architecture resume, it is a good idea to review sample resumes for formatting and content. While you may want to use graphics, such as colors and visuals, to demonstrate your skills it is better to use a clean format.

If you are applying for the first time, you may want to highlight your educational training and internships. On the other hand, a senior architect focuses more on his/her managerial or team leadership skills.

You may either use a chronological or functional format for your resume. A chronological resume lists the information from the most recent to the earliest. A functional resume, on the other hand, allows you to highlight your skills, accomplishments and experience that show your suitability for the job.

1. Choose a Template

The best thing about creating a resume with a resume builder site is that you do not have to start from scratch. Find a suitable template that includes all relevant sections that you want to include in your resume. Rocket Resume can get you started with Architect Manager and Architectural Draftsman templates.

Architecture resumes require different strengths and use different industry keywords than other job fields. Every block of a building serves a purpose relevant to building design. Similarly, each section of your architect resume must serve a purpose. Each section should reflect your intent to get the job.

2. Contact Info

• Mention your accurate mobile number (s)
• Your email address
• Your LinkedIn profile
• Your residential address is optional –not many people include it in the contact section

3. Professional Summary

The professional summary is your introduction to the potential employer. It should clearly and concisely summarize your selling points, for instance, your qualifications, skills, and suitability for the post. It is better to learn about the company’s mission and goals.

Try to incorporate how you will use your skills to meet the company’s goal. A resume tailored to the employers’ requirements is a value addition.

4. Skills

The skills section is perhaps one of the most important parts of your architecture resume. You should focus on listing your architect-specific skills in this section. Your skills should reflect your competency for the position you are applying for.

It is better to list down your digital, technical, and architecture-specific skills in bullet points. Some of the basic skills required in the architecture industry include:

• AutoCAD design
• Hand Drafting
• Expertise in Autodesk
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
• Proficiency in SketchUp
• Sketching
• Windows & OSX Operating systems
• Dark Room Techniques
• 3D Design
• Basic Web Development
• Model Building

You may also use this section to highlight your teamwork capabilities. Focus on how supportive you are and how well you perform in collaborative work. You should also mention your soft skills under this section, such as:

• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Mathematical skills
• Research

5. Certifications

The most important information in this section is your professional licensure. Do not forget to mention that you have passed the Architect Registration Exam. Mention the major accolades you have received from the architecture industry.

You can list your certification (such as in a graphic design software), special awards, security clearances, and patents in this section. Besides certifications, you can also add your professional affiliations with major architecture associations.

6. Work History

While it is important to list the relevant employment, it does not mean to mention the name of the employer and the time duration you worked there. Rather, list the key responsibilities you held in your previous jobs. It helps to tell your potential employer what type f tasks you completed and your accomplishments.

If you are following the chronological format for your architect resume, list the employment from the most recent to the earliest. On the other hand, if you are using a functional format, list the jobs on the top that qualify you for the architect position you are applying for. In addition, you can also mention the industry boards that you have served (if any).

7. Education

List your formal education under this section that qualifies you for the post you are applying for. If you hold a Master's degree in architecture, that is a plus. However, if you do not have a degree in architecture, you can list the degree you have received along with the courses relevant to architecture.

If you have work experience, then no need to mention the complete list of college achievements. Only state the most relevant accomplishments that show your suitability for the job.

8. Review

After you have filled in all the information, proofread your resume at least three times. You may have missed any important detail or added an irrelevant work experience. Also, look for duplication and break down the information in sub-headings. You can build a strong architecture resume with a resume builder site.

Basic Resume Guidelines

Bold or underlined fonts, subheadings, and bullet points are enough to make your resume professional and readable. You do not need any other visual aids, as clean formatting guides the hiring manager through each section.

Using the technical lingo associated with the architecture industry in your resume is a good way to show your knowledge. However, if you do not know how to incorporate industry keywords in your resume, rocket resume is there to help.

Some of the keywords include analyze, construct, build, appraise, calculate, design, develop, install, plan, appraise, renovate, and schedule.

Get Rocket Resume

When you’re faced with creating your resume from scratch, you can spend days on every job application. It can be an overwhelming task.

Rocket Resume makes it easy to put together a professional performing arts resume in no time at all. We have proven templates that can be customized for any job. No more staring at a blank sheet of paper with no idea what to include in each section. Now you’ll have the time you need to concentrate on landing your dream job. Start building your resume today!