The architecture industry is competitive, with a relatively small pool of non-architects compared to the number of architects seeking employment. This can make it challenging for young professionals or recent graduates to break into the field.
Even with the necessary education, entry-level experience and winning graduate architecture portfolios it can be difficult to secure a job in architecture due to the high demand for positions in the profession.
From the perspective of those making the hiring decisions, it can be challenging to differentiate among applicants, as the portfolios of young architects may begin to look similar after reviewing numerous submissions. To stand out in a competitive job market, it is important to make your portfolio stand out to the firms you hope to work for.
Graduate architecture portfolios
When applying for architecture firms, it’s important to consider your goals and priorities. If you have recently completed your undergraduate or postgraduate studies, you may need to apply to a number of different practices in order to find the right opportunity.
On the other hand, if you have already gained experience through internships (you can of course re-visit and use your architecture internship portfolio) or work placements, you may be able to be more selective in your job search.
Similarly, if you are already working as an intern or architect, you may have more flexibility in terms of choosing the right firm for your career goals. In any case, it’s important to carefully consider your options and select the firms that align with your professional objectives.
Stand out
For architecture graduates and professionals who are applying for jobs at the end of the academic year, it’s important to make a strong first impression in order to stand out in a crowded job market. Large and well-known firms often receive a high number of applications, and the initial assessment process can be fast and done at a glance.
It’s important to ensure that your portfolio effectively showcases your skills and abilities in order to stand out and make a positive impression on potential employers. By presenting your work in a professional and visually appealing way, you can increase your chances of being considered for an interview and ultimately securing a job.
Be concise
When submitting your architecture portfolio, it’s important to keep the delivery method clear, precise, and simple. While a well-crafted and gift-wrapped box may seem like a thoughtful touch, it can be expensive and may not be appreciated by firms. Instead, focus on presenting your work in a professional and straightforward way that is easy for the recipient to review.
In addition to the portfolio itself, your cover letter is an important part of the application process. It’s important to do your research on the firm you are applying to and tailor your cover letter to their specific needs and interests.
While your CV may not vary significantly between different applications, your cover letter should be customized to each firm in order to show your genuine interest in working with them. By taking the time to tailor your application materials to each firm, you can increase your chances of standing out and making a positive impression.
Be attentive
It’s important to show genuine care and interest in working for an architecture firm when applying for a job. One way to do this is by doing your research and writing a personalized cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the firm and its values.
Additionally, it can be helpful to call or email the firm to ask about their application process and requirements, as this shows your diligence and commitment. If you don’t receive a reply or call back, consider following up once more to show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Overall, being attentive and willing to go the extra mile can help to set you apart from other candidates and show that you are truly interested in working for the firm.
Persistence
Rejections are a natural part of the job search process, and it’s important to develop a thick skin and keep a positive attitude even when you face setbacks. If you receive a rejection after applying or interviewing for a job, consider asking for feedback to help you improve your chances in the future.
However, it’s also important to move on quickly and continue with your other job applications rather than dwelling on what you could have done differently. By being persistent and continuing to pursue new opportunities, you can increase your chances of finding the right job for your career goals.
Create a narrative
A common theme in a lot of the portfolio types we discuss is the need to create a compelling story for your portfolio, start by looking for unique experiences or interests that set you apart from other architects.
This could be something you studied outside of architecture, a job you’ve held outside of the field, or a personal passion. Consider how this experience or interest has influenced your approach to architecture and how it can be incorporated into your portfolio.
To showcase this story effectively, it’s important to provide evidence of your unique background or interests. This could include a degree or professional experience in the relevant area, but even something as simple as a workshop or club membership can help demonstrate your connection to the story.
The key is to find a way to tie your experiences outside of architecture to the work you include in your portfolio, highlighting how they have shaped your perspective and approach as an architect.
It’s important to remember that the theme you choose for your architecture portfolio should not be fabricated or forced. Instead, it should be a natural reflection of your interests and experiences.
If you have identified a particular interest or activity that has influenced your approach to architecture, look for ways to highlight this in your portfolio. This could involve revisiting past projects and finding new ways to present them in light of your theme.
Make it easy to view
Whether an architecture portfolio is in the form of a website, PDF, or printed brochure, it’s important that it is easy to view. For websites, it can be helpful to include a filtering system that allows viewers to sort projects by type, style, date, concept, etc. It’s also essential to optimize the website for viewing on mobile devices.
PDF files are a convenient and reliable format for portfolios, as they can be opened on any device and are easy to share. It’s important to ensure that the layout of the PDF is clean and efficient, so that viewers can quickly understand the architect’s professional capabilities by skimming through the document.
It’s also a good idea to keep the file size under 15MB to ensure it loads quickly and doesn’t take up too much storage space.
Text and descriptions
Text descriptions are an important part of an architecture portfolio, as they help to provide context and explain the design ideas behind a project. When writing a description, it’s important to be concise, informative, and interesting. The description should highlight the main concept of the design and the architect’s role in the project.
While text descriptions are important, they should not take up a large portion of the portfolio. If there are complex concepts that are difficult to explain in a few sentences, consider using infographics or step-by-step explanations to illustrate the ideas.
If you’re unsure about the quality of your written descriptions, consider seeking the assistance of a professional copywriter to ensure that all the content in your portfolio is polished and effective.
Fonts
Effective use of typography is an important element of a professional architecture portfolio. To create a stylish and cohesive layout, it’s important to choose 2-3 typefaces that are consistent with the style of the images and the overall design.
Proper placement and sizing of text is also crucial. By following basic typography rules, such as making headings larger than body text, you can create a visually appealing and easy-to-read layout. It can also be helpful to place small bits of text on top of or near images in order to provide context and background information without drawing attention away from the visuals.
By paying careful attention to the way that text is used in your portfolio, you can create a polished and professional presentation.
Careful use of drawings
It’s important not to include too many drawings in a portfolio, as it can clutter the space and make it difficult for viewers to get a sense of the work. Instead, focus on including only the most important and intricate drawings that showcase your skills and abilities.
To make your technical drawings more visually appealing, consider using color highlights and adding descriptions to explain the design ideas. For large-scale projects, site plans can be helpful in giving a sense of the scale of the work.
However, in most cases, it’s best to avoid including large-scale drawings in a portfolio, as they may be difficult for non-architecture professionals to understand.
To sum up
It is important for architecture professionals and recent graduates to stand out in a competitive job market by presenting their work in a professional and visually appealing way, being concise and personalized in their cover letters, showing genuine interest and attentiveness in their applications, and being persistent in their job search.
While it can be challenging to secure a job in architecture due to the high demand for positions, following these tips can increase your chances of success in finding the right opportunity for your career goals.
