Just Graduated & Ready to Be an Architect? 4 Steps for Career Success

If you have just graduated with a degree in architecture, then you may be wondering how to get your first job as an architect. As you pour over help wanted ads, you may notice that most firms are looking for people who want experienced industry veterans. Do not get discouraged. Instead, use these tips to land your first job as an architect.

Prepare Your Architectural Portfolio

You should never send out a resume without sending along your portfolio. Use your graphic design skills to design one that looks professional. Include only the most relevant information leaving plenty of white space to help set your projects apart. Find a way to incorporate aspects of your own personality into it. When possible, choose projects to incorporate that reflect what the specialty of the firm where you are applying.

Network Within the Industry

Talk to everyone that you know to see who might be hiring. Have a serious conversation with your college professors to see who they can recommend you too. Mine LinkedIn and other sources to see who you know that is working for an architect. Take notes because you will not remember all the pertinent details. Ask your contacts if they can assist you in meeting the right people.

Arrange Interviews

Be open to interviewing when professionals are available. Once you land one, then spend time learning everything that you can about the firm. Use social media to find contacts who have had contact with the firm. Know every word on their website by heart so that you can spit it back to them during your interview. Make sure to dress appropriately for their company’s culture as some companies prefer suits and ties while others have a more business casual atmosphere.

Understand Your Industry

Architects work with many different types of professionals. As a new employee, you may be expected to know where to source supplies needed to build buildings, bridges and other things. For example, if your firm is building a barn for a large horse trainer, then it’s important to know where you can get your material from. For example, you could get sheet metal from Knowlton Industrial Steel Supply or other such companies. The more contacts that you can make in related industries, the more you will be an asset to your new firm. These contacts may also be a great source of information about architects working in their geographical area.

Getting hired as an architect without any experience can be difficult. Start with these ideas and add your own ingenuity and you will soon hear that you have landed a job where you can get experience.