As you’ll soon realise as you approach the process of seeking employment there are many things you’ll learn along the way. It is a job on its own that requires a lot of trial and error as there isn’t a perfect way of landing a role as an architectural assistant. By overcomplicating or (oversimplifying the process) you’ll only be making things harder for yourself, it’s already difficult as it, but in hopes of reducing that friction here are another five things I wish I knew when job hunting in the architectural industry.
Talk about architecture and learn about it too
I remember not having enough ‘time’ or whatever excuse I gave myself for not exploring the architecture I was interested in. I was too busy developing design concepts, and that reading list was never-ending. So now that you’ve wrapped up your degree and studying, now is the time to read up on what you enjoy about architecture. Whether it is architectural history, theory and practise there is so much out content and information out there to learn, that all you have to do is search for it or find it in a book/blog/documentary/film you name it. And documenting this journey of exploring certain aspects of architecture on social media is always welcome. It is so interesting to see architecture in context and the discussions around them will bring you closer to looking into your role within architecture. Although most of us want to go for an architectural assistant role there are so many different companies out there exploring sustainability, residential, commercial, heritage, conservation and so much more. You’ll have a better understanding of the role architecture has and will continue to have in shaping the built world we live in. Although there is so much to look into find what interests you and begin educating yourself in ways that are suitable for you. You should always be questioning why you are in this industry as a way of getting to the root of what kind of architecture (and what architecture firms) you want to become part of as well. Whether it is the BIM (Building Information Modelling) side of things or teaching architecture, you’ll never know if you don’t look into them and now is the time to do it.
Upskill because you want to, not just because you need to
With most practises using computer programmes to complete and deliver projects it can be overwhelming to choose programmes that you want to learn. Every university has a different set of software they teach, I learned AutoCAD whereas some may be familiar with Vectorworks and that isn’t the only programme with alternatives across the curriculum. Although there are standard software and skills you should have to be employable (knowing how to use Adobe Photoshop and InDesign being the start). Revit seems to be a popular one that is desirable when you come across most job applications, so should you learn to use it? Yes, if you want to find out why companies use it so that you can build on it when you do get into an architecture and design practice. However, don’t feel pressured to know all the programmes as each practice is different, each company will use the same programmes you have learned in their own method which means you’ll always be adapting to new ways of working. So if you want to learn software like Revit, do it but being equally good at all the software you already know and strengthening them further would be better. You can’t learn everything but being strong at what you already know is a good place to be, a lot of adobe software and 3d modelling software can be used for both production and post-production purposes, so utilising them in this manner is a good way to push yourself in learning the tools to a degree that makes it comfortable for you to work with. If you don’t have experience of working in practise, you need to get a position first to really know what you should learn, but just as mentioned before every practice is different so strengthening what you already know and learning software you want to is an efficient way to upskill.
Work experience is work experience
It can be disheartening to see positions where it is required, desired or essential for you to have previous experience to fulfil the job description. You shouldn’t let it stop you from searching for experience entirely altogether, so positions aren’t looking to train you as much as other positions so don’t assume that all practices will be that way. If you have managed to gain work experience, even if it is 5 days before you even began to approach architecture as a degree or career path it still counts! You’ll know better than me what you learned from the time you spent working there even if it was for a short (and what can sometimes feel like a very short) time frame. If you learned how to use SketchUp for the first time it is definitely worth adding to your CV even better is if you still have the work you did produce and include it as part of your portfolio. Having this experience gives you an insight into what programmes are used in practice and at what stage (of the design process of a project) they are used. At first, I used to leave the work I did complete during the small handful of experiences I did have. Honestly, it has been proven useful at interview stages and on the CV as you’ve been able to demonstrate designing in a real project or within a real design context which is what most employers want to see. Even if it doesn’t feel complete or finished showing that you were able to use those design skills outside of university projects will give you something to show and talk about in interviews.
Your portfolio and sample portfolio are not the same things
If you’ve checked a job description before, the thought of a file size limit can fill you with dread, how am I supposed to fit in all that I’ve learned design-wise? 5MB is simply too small. Well here is where you have to make the differentiation between what you send to employers and what you show at the interview stages. You need a sample portfolio, this is usually between 10-12 pages of your best work or the work that best represents the skills and design work that suits the specific practise and the role you’ll apply to. Knowing that you will have to be selective on what you show is important both because it isn’t practical for employers but also because not all the skills you have that make you employable are demonstratable through a portfolio. Yes, your portfolio is there to show what you can do, but it isn’t the only document they will be using to make a judgement on how suitable you are for a role, you have your CV and sometimes the covering email…and then an interview to really provide a bigger picture to what you are like as a person not just as an architectural assistant. You are providing first impressions and a sample portfolio is a selection of your best work, and besides, it isn’t practical to have your whole portfolio to show at this stage. They’ll most likely be looking at many candidates and having a size limit is more practical for them to easily be able to view the work you show them. If they specify a format and size having a sample portfolio will allow you fulfil that as paying attention to instructions is important, they ask you to send documents and applications for a reason, it would be a great waste of time and not the best impression if you can’t follow instructions at the initial stages of a job application.
Don’t just apply through a job listing that is advertised
If it is easy for you to apply for a job then it’ll be easy for many others too, which doesn’t make it easier for you to get noticed if you are looking to get hired. So then what can you do? Make a list of places you want to work for, start by looking into the area you are based in and call in if they provide a phone line to make a call from. You won’t always reach someone as most companies are working from home but this is the closest thing to visiting in person and dropping off your CV and Sample Portfolio. Most practises will be flooded with projects and others might not, so some firms might not update their websites as often and sometimes they don’t leave a way in which you can reach out to apply speculatively. The only way you can properly find whether they are looking to hire is to ask, and even if they aren’t hiring at the moment, asking questions about when they typically do and who you should get in contact with to send a speculative application is a way of getting noticed. This might not always work but you have nothing to lose, and it is a way for you to get an initial impression of them just as it is for you to give yours, and be first in line for when they do have an opening for a position.
This is the second article, and 10 things later I think it is fair to say that there are still so many things you’ll eventually learn for yourself that I might have missed. As with all experiences, seeking employment is full of lessons that you’ll grow from as you learn to navigate yourself within this profession.