When you’re looking to land a top architect role, an effective CV is essential.
A well-structured CV which highlights your most in-demand architectural skills will set you apart from the competition.
So, I’ve created this comprehensive guide along with 6 architect CV examples, to show you how you can write your own interview-winning CV.
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Architect CV example
Junior Architect CV example
Architecture Student CV example
Interior Designer CV example
Freelance Architect CV example
Senior Architect CV example
The above CV examples demonstrate the type of info you should be including within your architect CV and how to display this information in a visually pleasing and attention-grabbing way.
This guide will walk you through how to structure and write your own eye-catching CV.
Architect CV structure & format
The structure and format of your CV are equally as important as the content within it.
Facilitate ease of reading by following a structure that allows recruiters to easily navigate your experience, highlighting what makes you an ideal candidate for architect roles.
The below infographic gives you the tools to create a clear structure, detailing what sections to include.
Formatting Tips
- Use headers, sections and bullet points to facilitate ease of reading, making your CV simple to navigate
- Use a plain colour pallet and clear font rather than over complicating your CV or burying your content in the design
- An ideal CV length is 2 sides of A4, enough space to document your experience without it becoming tedious to read
- Avoid overloading your CV with imagery. Company logos and profile pictures don’t add any value to your CV and could distract attention from key content.
Structuring your CV
Break your CV into clearly defined sections working towards the below structure:
- Contact details – keep the most important information including contact data to the top of the page
- Profile – Summarise your significant skills, experience and qualifications in an introductory paragraph, displaying why you’re the right fit for the sector
- Work experience / Career history – work backwards through your previous employments
- Education – Recording any qualifications or courses especially those pertinent to architect roles
- Interest and hobbies – An optional section to document any hobbies that are beneficial to architect positions
In this guide we’ll explore what to include within each of these sections, teaching you how to create a CV that impresses.
CV Contact Details
Commence your CV by detailing your contact information at the top.
Making sure all the information you provide is correct, whilst sticking to the essentials.
- Phone number
- Email address
- Location
- If you have one, add a link to your LinkedIn profile or a portfolio of work.
Quick Tip: Remove any unrelated aspects such as your date of birth, marital status and save space by just adding the city you reside instead of your full home address.
Architect CV Profile
Your CV profile (or personal statement for junior candidates) is an introductory paragraph between 5-10 lines that starts off your CV, providing a summary of why you’d be a perfect candidate for architect roles at first glance.
This is your first impression and should draw recruiters’ attention, appealing to them to delve deeper into the CV.
Tips to consider when creating your profile:
- Be unique in your CV, avoiding cliché or generic phrases such as “I am a team player” or “I work hard”
- Stick to a paragraph length of between 5-10 lines, more depth can be provided elsewhere in your CV
- Tailor your profile to the architectural industry by researching the sector and including key words and skills that will appeal to recruiters
- Don’t add your objectives and what you are looking for from an employer, save this for your cover letter
Quick CV profile tip: If you worry that your spelling and grammar might not be correct, try using our quick-and-easy CV Builder to eliminate the risk of making mistakes.
What to include in your architect CV profile?
- Types of buildings you have worked on – Residential? Office spaces? Urban planning?
- Architectural qualifications – RIBA part 1? Part 2? Part 3?
- Technical skills – Can you produce technical drawings? Can you use AutoCAD or MicroStation?
- Previous companies worked for – Whether you worked for a major corporation, building services company, architectural organisation or for a planning and development surveyors
- Level of your experience – Whether you are a recent graduate, or an experienced architect who has worked on many projects
Core skills section
Directly underneath your CV profile place a core skills sections, made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points, documenting your most marketable skills.
Use your sector research to identify skills that perfectly match you to architect roles.
Helping recruiters to assess your suitability at first glance without having to dig through your experience.
Work experience/Career history
Work in a reverse chronological order when adding your role descriptions.
Prioritising space in your CV for the role descriptions of your most recent/current roles, shortening the descriptions for less relevant or older positions.
Include project work, freelancing and work experience in this section.
Structuring your roles
A well-defined structure will facilitate ease of reading, allowing recruiters to pinpoint the key elements of your experience.
Break your role descriptions into three sections as shown below.
Outline
A brief summary of the company you worked within as well as describing the role you undertook and the department you were part of.
E.g.
“Responsible for the planning and delivery of a range of multi-functional projects within budgetary guidelines for a building surveyor company.”
Key responsibilities
Bullet point your key responsibilities and duties within each of your positions.
E.g.
- Implementing energy-efficient designs without sacrificing the overall aesthetic
- Considering safety standards and regulations when producing designs
- Preparing contracts and documents for the building contractors
Key achievements
Demonstrate the value you added within a company by displaying your accomplishments and achievements.
Qualify any examples by giving relevant facts and figures.
E.g.
- Delivered project ahead of schedule and 10% under budget with total client satisfaction
Education
After your work experience, your education section should display your sector specific qualifications.
Starting with those most relevant to the architectural industry such as a BA in architecture or Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture.
Also, look to include any professional memberships such as involvement in the Architects Registration Board or stating if you’re a chartered member of the RIBA.
Interests and hobbies
This is an optional section that should only be used if your hobbies and interests will add further depth to your CV.
Avoid generic hobbies such as socialising or reading and instead reflect on interests aligned with a career as an architect.
Consider hobbies that demonstrate your attention to detail, analytic thinking or creativity such as model making or learning to play an instrument.
Essential skills for your architect CV
Although each company will require a slightly different skill set, there are core skills that will be required within any architect position.
Technical drawings – Producing detailed plans with scale measurements and building instructions, to provide construction teams with accurate instructions to create buildings according to plans
Building regulations – Knowledge and application of UK rules of building properties, to ensure that building are safe and legally compliant with local government regulations.
Project management – Leading architectural teams and liaising with buildings teams to drive project completion, including project planning, scheduling, and risk management, through to delivery and handover to clients,
Concept design and sketching – Fee hand sketch initial drawings or interior design, to provide intial ideas for building designs that will ultimately be turned into workable drawings.
Autodesk AutoCAD/ Sketchup Pro / Autodesk Revit – The ability to work with a range of software to produce technical drawings. The most recognised tools are AutoCAD and Sketchup Pro, which will often be expected by recruiters and employers.
Maths and physics – Having a sound understanding of what physical properties are required to ensure a building is safe a structurally sound. For example; how much weight can a material hold, or how far can a balcony protrude without collapsing?
Sustainability – Knowing how to create buildings that will last long into the future, and in more recent times, implementing green power solutions.
Writing your architect CV
Your CV is your first impression to recruiters, so it needs to be strong.
Structuring your CV in a visually pleasing way so recruiters can easily navigate your experience, bring forward your relevant strengths.
By following this guide, you will be able to produce a CV that gives you access to your dream career as an architect.
Good luck with your job search.