How To Write An Architect Resume (With Template And Example)

Architects are professionals who design various buildings, structures and other creative concepts in different industries. Whether you are applying for a new architecture position or looking to advance in your role, an architect resume can help you showcase your skills to a potential employer. Learning more about an architecture's resume, like structure, format and best practices, can help you get shortlisted for an interview round. In this article, we discuss an architecture resume, what to include in it and understand how to write an architecture resume with a template and example.

Related: How To Become an Architect (Career Steps and FAQs)

What Is An Architect Resume?

An architect resume is a brief description of your qualification, experience and skills for the desired position. It describes your past job experience, lists your soft and hard skills and summarises your career goals. Along with your cover letter (CV) and letter of recommendation, a resume is an integral part of the hiring process. Hiring may read or scan through your resume when reviewing candidates for a potential job role. A well-written and structured resume can earn you an interview.

Related: How To Make a Resume (With Examples)

What To Include In Your Architecture Resume?

Although the content of your resume may vary depending upon the job you are applying to and your experience, most architecture resume has the following sections:

• Contact information

• Resume summary

• Relevant architect experience

• Educational qualifications

• Skills

• Certificates

• Interests and hobbies

Related: 6 Universal Rules for Resume Writing

How To Create An Architect Resume?

Follows these steps to create a resume that potential hiring managers would notice:

1. Review the job description

Reviewing the job description can help you customise your resume so that you meet the position's key job requirements. Although most architects complete the same duties and responsibilities, a hiring manager may have slightly different expectations from their architects. By understanding these expectations, you can change your resume and become qualified for a position.

Related: Architect Vs. Civil Engineer: What Is The Difference?

2. Provide your contact information

At the top of your resume, mention your full contact details, including your name, phone number and email address. When you place contact information at the top, it becomes easy for a hiring manager to contact you. If you have a website displaying your work and architectural designs, consider adding a link in your contact details section.

Example: Sumant Jain, sumantjain@bbmail.com, phone number: 9123476890

3. Create a resume summary

This section contains your relevant skills and professional experience related to architecture. A resume summary is one to three statements concisely describing your qualifications for a role. In this section, include any detail that you might find helpful in increasing your candidature. A strong resume summary captures a hiring manager's attention and they decide whether to read your resume.

Example: "Licenced architect with five years of experience in designing aesthetically appealing civil structures. Possess excellent working knowledge of various aspects of architecture like creating design concepts, drafting architectural schematics and vetting construction team."

Related: How To Write An Architect Resume Objective In 7 Steps

4. List your work history

When highlighting your work history, list your experiences in reverse chronological order and mention your recent role first. For every previous job role, including the company's name, the dates you worked and the job title. Under this section, list the duties associated with the role. Use action words to describe your responsibilities. You can even describe one architectural project you previously worked. For example, if you have experience designing a commercial building, you can mention it here.

Also, when writing your work history, reread the job description and highlight experiences an employer desire. For instance, if the position mentions that an employer wants someone who can read technical drawings and if you have this experience, consider including it in your work history section.

Example:

• Completed 95% of projects on time without overshooting the budget

• Drafted documents and contracts for building surveyors

• Implemented energy-efficient designs

• Created digital models of shopping complexes and residential architecture using CAD

• Completed site appraisals before and after construction

Related: What Is an Architect Engineer? Definition and Career Advice

5. Give details of your educational background

List your educational degrees in reverse chronological order and start by mentioning the most recent degree first. You may have a graduate or a post-graduate degree in architecture and related areas. So, mention the school or college name, degree's name and the dates you attended. If you have certifications related to architecture or completed an additional course, mention it in this section.

Example:

M.Arch, New Delhi Art University

2014—2016

• Presented a paper on sustainable architectural design and modelling

• Pursued a three-day online course on CAD design

6. List your relevant skills

In the skills section, mention any architecture-related skills you have. This section gives hiring managers a reason to hire you over other potential candidates. Depending on the role and experience, you can mention some of these skills:

• Computer literacy: Having experience with software like CAD (computer-aided design) or any other design software can help you get hired.

• Technical drawing: The ability to draw building designs and blueprints is essential for a successful career as an architect.

• Concept sketching: Any experience related to concept sketching and design is beneficial.

• Building regulation: Having in-depth knowledge of building regulations and guidelines is essential for architects.

• Commercial awareness: Understanding the industry you operate in can help you connect with the right client and secure suitable projects.

• Project management skills: You can complete projects on time and within budget using your project management skills.

Example:

• Delivered building designs that required 10-20% less rework from colleagues

• Complied with building regulations to create designs that got faster approval from the government

Related: 9 Important Skills For Application Architects (With Tips)

7. Include certifications, awards and achievements

In this section, focus on including any certification you earned during your career. You can even mention licenses you earned in construction or design to improve your chances of getting interviewed. Also, use this section to list awards and achievements, such as publications and academic honours.

Example:

• Awarded the employee of the month for designing sustainable buildings with a client satisfaction rate of 99%.

• Won the prestigious Youth Architect 2020 for exceptional and cost-efficient designs.

8. Memberships

Memberships with a relevant organisation or club can help you distinguish yourself from others. Often, employers prefer candidates who are members of some professional organisation, as these people remain well-connected with other architects. So, in this section, include professional memberships with the architecture-related organisation.

Example: Active member of Council of Architecture

9. Interest and hobbies

Use this section to display interests and hobbies related to architecture. Though this is an optional section, focus on writing this section if you are a recent college graduate. Also, in this section, mention any volunteering experience you have.

Example:

• Playing video games

• Painting and photography

• Designing websites

Template For Creating An Architectural Resume

Use this template as a guide to creating a resume when applying for architecture jobs:

[First and last name]
[Address]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[Link to personal portfolio or website] (optional section)

Summary
[One to three sentences briefly describing your skill, qualification, career goals and experience]

Work experience
[Job title]
[Company's name]
[Company's location]
[Dates worked]

• [Two to four key responsibilities]

Education
[Degree]
[Name of institution and location]
[Dates attended]

Skills

• [Mention five to seven relevant architectural skills]

License or membership

• [Use bullet points to list any license you earned and membership you enrolled]

Interests and hobbies (optional section)

• [Use bullet points to list your interests and hobbies]

Architecture Resume Example

Here is an example of an architectural resume for your reference:

Pankaj Ahuja
H 9/12, Krishna Nagar
New Delhi 110089
892347888
Pankaj.ahuja@bmail.com
Pankaj.ahuja.designs@architectportfolio.com

Summary
Professionally licensed professional with a Bachelor of Architecture and over seven years of experience designing civil structures, residential homes and shopping complexes. Motivated senior architect with an eye for cost-efficient and sustainable building designs.

Work experience
Senior architect
2015-Present
Home and Office Architectural Designs Limited

• Participated in the design and construction phases of six national and international projects

• Produced building drawings and layouts with a client satisfaction rate of 97%

• Conducted preliminary research and architecture studies for new building projects

Architect intern
2014-2015
Sharma Architecture

• Assisted team with design production

• Assisted in delivering finished projects on time and within budget

Education
B.Arch
Shimla College, Shimla
August 2012-September 2014

Skills

• Technical drawing

• CAD software

• Design software

• Blueprint design

• Project management

• Renovation

• Model making

• Drafting and scheduling

License

• Licensed with Council of Architecture

Awards

• Awarded the best sustainable design of 2018, Design Awards 2018

• Received award for design excellence, architectural program, New Delhi School of Architecture

• Winner of the best cost and energy-efficient design of a shopping complex, Sharma Architecture

Interests and hobbies

• Interior designing

• Graphic designing

Related: Types Of Architectural Positions And Career Fields

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.