Architecture Job Application Insider Tips

The Architecture Job Application
Hints & Suggestions from Employers

Aug 10, 2007
A common question that frequently arises in our discussion forum is how to best apply for an architecture job.
Who best to answer these questions than the employers? We have contacted some of the firms that seek talent
through Archinect's job board to help provide some insight.
The following questions were posed to the employers:

1. What do you like to see when reviewing a portfolio?
2. How important is presentation in the portfolio?
3. Should the portfolio contain a lot of work, or a smaller selection of carefully selected projects?
4. Do you prefer to review applications (including portfolio) in digital or hard copy format?
5. What recommendations can you give an applicant for the interview process?
6. What are the most common mistakes potential employees make on their applications?
7. Can you offer any other helpful information?
The following firms have been kind enough to offer their advice: Graft Architects, Rafael Vinoly Architects, Lettuce
Office, Winter & Company,Mihai Radu Architects, Karin Payson Architecture + Design, Spacesmith LLP, Peter
Marino Architect, Zeidler Partnership, Fiedler Marciano | Architecture, NAC Architecture, Cannon Design, and Red
Top Architects.
EMPLOYERS: - Please send us your answers, or any other helpful application advice. We would like to continue
building this resource. Your answers will be credited with your firm's logo and a link to your site.
JOB SEEKERS: - Do you have more questions regarding the application process, or requests for upcoming
features to help connect you with the perfect job? Tell us!
GRAFT
We like to see a strong balance between great design and practical experience. We want to see the
ability to conceptualize an idea and develop it and are equally interested in how these ideas are then
materialized in built projects. Specifically submissions should contain: Cover letter and resume (we are
interested in the applicants writing skills), Illustrations (3D renderings, hand drawings, sketches, photo
shop, illustrator depending on what the applicants strongest medium is), line drawings, DD sets, CD
sets, prototypes, physical models.
The presentation in the portfolio is incredibly important. We are in the business of designing and
documenting design information. This is our first impression of the applicant ability to provide this
service. Design, proportion, clarity, and spelling is important on all material that applicant uses to
represent himself.
3. Should the portfolio contain a lot of work, or a smaller selection of carefully selected
projects?
The portfolio should contain a thoughtful concise selection that covers a broad range of skill sets from
all phases. The portfolio is an example of how the applicant synthesizes and documents information
geared to a specific recipient, each piece in the portfolio should be intentional and lead to a relevant
discussion regarding the applicants interests, pursuits and skills.
We prefer to receive a small selection of work in digital format. This is fundamental to selecting who we
invite to personal interviews. During the personal interview we prefer hard copy format.
The interview is generally the first impression. We are as interested in the person as we are in the work
and are looking to find a mutually beneficial fit. The more genuine and open the applicant is about
whom he/she is and what his/her career goals are the better. Relax and bring yourself to the interview.
Social skills are important in architecture, particularly in upper management. Bring relevant work. Bring
examples of built work. Bring examples of your design work that clearly represents you. Often we ask
what project the applicant has felt most passionately about and why. Recognize that time is valuable to
both parties, make every minute of the interview purposeful.
People often choose not to read the ad we have placed. Please read it. We have put thought into it
before posting it, it illustrates what we are looking for in our office at that time.
Many applicants do not offer references. Employers often pre-screen this way. If you have great
references use them!
Inaccuracy about work experience in terms of longevity (a two month summer internship does not equal
a year of work experience)
Be prompt, be polite, dress appropriately, give a good hand shake, inspire confidence, be enthusiastic.
Bring questions about the firm you are looking to work for.
Write to confirm your interview time and date. Bring a copy of your resume. CD Sets CD Sets CD Sets.
Please ensure that your name is on all work samples.
Be realistic regarding your salary expectations identify the market you are looking to work in (design
architects vs. corporate, experience level etc.) and research what you should be receiving as
compensation.
RAFAEL VINOLY ARCHITECTS

Previous professional work, 3D, personal projects
Presentation is very important.
projects?
The portfolio can contain any amount of work -- whatever is representative and reflective of
background.
We prefer to review in digital format.
Bring examples of construction documents!!!
Not using spellcheck or proofing. Not including name on work sample attachments -- if printed they can
end up with someone else's resume. Counting internships toward years of professional experience.
LETTUCE OFFICE
Digital AND freehand drawing skills. Demonstrative sequence of thought in process/progress. Clarity of
objective. Competent in graphic design. Also like to see development through projects. If there is not
growth shown in their work, it is suspect that they aren't that invested in the program or the profession.
Very. Extremely. Include good spelling in that as well.
projects?
Should demonstrate range of skills. Massive tomes are pretentious and a bit self important.
Digital for inquiries, hard copies for f2f interviews. As long as the digital inquiries are not huge files are
not readable on the screen. Do not want to open CDs. Will visit a website.
Don't sit silent while your portfolio is being reviewed. Offer insight when appropriate. Speak articulately
and avoid blather. Filling up airspace is just as bad as silence. Treat it like a conversation and don't be
shy about asking questions. You should formulate questions before the interview. Leaving with no
questions is a bad sign that they are not thinking or processing what is in front of them.
Sloppiness. Typos. Bad graphic layout. Poor writing. Not making things personal to the employer.
Be professional. Arrive on time. Be prepared. Have manners. Follow up. Keep contacting the employer if
you really want to work for them. Don't be shy. Take initiative.
WINTER & COMPANY

Range of work the candidate has produced, developed and/or designed. The portfolio should
demonstrate the applicant's various skills, techniques and/or project types.
VERY! The content should be presented in a simple, but organized manner, and in a format which makes
reading easy for employers
projects?
Carefully selected projects that demonstrate the breadth and depth of the applicant
Either if fine, but digital is preferred
Read the job advertisement/description carefully! Be thoroughly prepared to answer questions and/or
demonstrate experience that directly applies to what the position requires
Errors on dates of employment. Check your applications for accuracy!
YES. Remember to say THANK YOU. At the conclusion of EVERY step in the interview process (i.e.,
phone screen, face-to-face interview, etc.), take time to reflect on the conversation and then follow up
with a "thank you" email or note and a comment on your thoughts from the discussion. For example,
"Thank you for the time you spent talking with me today about the position of XYZ at 123 Corporation.
Based on the needs you identified in our discussion, I think my skills can address those needs by....
(examples)..I appreciate your time and consideration." Show some personal interest in the employer by
thanking them and expressing how you/your skills might help them grow or prosper.
MIHAI RADU ARCHITECTS

For less experienced job candidates, we like to see good conceptual design work done in school coupled
with good graphic design. It is always very good to have some job experience even if its only as an
intern. If the candidate has worked in an office, we like to see examples of drawings he has worked on
(preferably a drawing he has taken form start to finish) to see the level of detail he is comfortable with.
It is always important to have good CAD experience even if its not in the same program we work in. 3D
rendering is a plus. For more experienced candidates, we like to see previous projects they have worked
on and the drawings they were responsible for. It is important for us to understand their role in the firm.
I would say an 8 on a scale of 1-10. Presentation isn't everything but in a design oriented practice it
something we are thinking about all the time. Whether the candidate does or doesn't present well is a
consideration.
projects?
It really depends on the candidate. My preference has always been to see 2 or 3 featured projects that
are well developed and documented. And then this is supported by a number of of briefly presented
additional works to get a sense of their experiences/interests.
I prefer to review work samples along with resumes in digital format with the ability to print it if I wish.
Relax. Don't rush. How you present yourself is as important as the portfolio. Also, take charge of the
presentation of your portfolio and take me through it. I really dislike flipping through a portfolio while a
candidate sits in silence and watches. And ask questions about what your role would be in the firm.
Poor cover letters are a big turnoff. If there are mistakes in my name or the firm name I don't even
bother. Also, when the cover letter seems like a form letter with our name plugged in I am less
interested.
I think it's very important to us that a candidate seems excited to work with us. We want some one that
is well qualified but its also very important you seem excited about your job. We don't want to hire
someone that isn't eager to do interesting work.
KARIN PAYSON ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
A mix of technical work and design work. Photos of finished work if possible.
Moderately important. Clear organization is more important than glitzy graphics.
projects?
Fewer projects in greater depth is preferred.
Digital in application, hard copy in person.
Be punctual. Bring the work you have done in an office. If you are more than 3 years out of school don't
rely on school work to show your skills. It indicates a poor attitude about the work you've done for pay.
Spelling and grammatical errors. Impersonal letters (Dear Sir, or "Hiring Manager" or Dear Mr. __) that
presume a man is going to read the application regardless of the name of the firm or the contact name
(indicates a lack of attention to detail!)
Research the firm's website before sending the application. Personalize your form letter. Remove
irrelevant work experience from your resume. No one cares where you went to high school or what non-
professional jobs you have had unless they add depth to your professional experience.
SPACESMITH, LLP
A variety of things: what skills are represented (CAD, 3D modeling, hand sketches, concept
development, construction detailing); how creative is the person (thinking outside the box, how unique
is the work); and how do they think through a design (ability to develop ideas into real finished work).
Very. Online or emailed work should be short but sweet (ie: one project shown very well, in one or two
pages of a pdf file, not exceeding 2 or 3mb unless it is truly amazing work). Portfolios brought to the
interview should reflect the degree of care a person puts into their work... a sloppy portfolio is a bad
sign that the work they will produce will be sloppy. However, the more experience someone has, the
less this matters... someone who has been working for more than 7 years will probably show most of
their work through one or two sets of working drawings or design presentation books, and a bound set
of 8x10 photos.
projects?
The best would be an overview to show the breadth of experience (maybe a list of projects with
thumbnail images) and one or two projects which best exemplify the skills and interests of the
candidate. I also love it if they make clear to me what their roles were on the projects, without me
having to extract the particulars of what they were responsible for versus what other people did, and
how they give credit to other people.
Digital first, then hard copy if I ask for it to be sent.
Research the firm you are visiting, dress professional, show up on time, and then relax. The interview
process works both ways- you are interviewing the firm as much as they are interviewing you. Be open
and honest about your work. It is also important to ask questions that will let you know if you will be
happy working there: is the place is a good match for your professional interests (do you like the kind of
projects they do, and how they do them?); how does it fit with your career goals (are you starting in
the position you want to have? do you need to work your way up to that position? will the firm allow you
to pursue your interests? how competitive is the firm? is that good or bad?); how flexible is the
schedule; how are salary/benefits/bonuses determined and reviewed? By asking these kinds of
questions, they will get to know you, what is important to you, and how serious you are about making
sure you find the right match for yourself and for them.
We usually receive resumes (not applications), but the most common issues are not presenting the
necessary information quickly and clearly (education, professional experience, level of responsibility on
projects, and what types of projects). Personally I prefer very simple, clean layouts, as opposed to
unusual fonts or too many graphics.
Research the firm and what they are looking for, so you don't waste anyone's time (including your own)
by going on interviews that will lead nowhere. On the other hand, when you start a job search it is
worth going on one or two interviews at places that are not at the top of your list, so you get some
practice and will be less nervous when you go to firms you are most interested in. This will help you
identify the questions you want to ask, and the ones you should have answers to. You should have a
good idea of the salary you want, and the benefits you need. Also ask how the salary is paid, as this
varies widely- how often you receive payment matters as much as how much you receive- some firms
pay every week or two, some pay monthly, some include semi-annual bonuses in your salary
calculation, and sometimes they pro-rate these bonuses. Don't be afraid to ask about these details-
from a negotiation point of view there might not be much that the firm can do (some have very strict
procedures and salary guidelines), but you may be able to negotiate for flexibility on your work
schedule or for vacation/personal time. Find out if they pay for overtime, and how much you should
expect to work.
PETER MARINO ARCHITECT

Resume Advice
1. Don't send resumes in weird/small formats, booklets etc. They may look graphically interesting, but
they are difficult to file and work with. They also are easy to lose.
2. Don't send massive work sample files that are difficult to print. 5-10 works samples are plenty for
anyone.
3. Do make sure your name is on the back-up work samples. They do get separated and could end up on
someone else's resume.
4. Make sure resume is in Word or pdf format. Work samples are best in pdf.
5. Do send a cover letter highlighting your experience. 2-3 paragraphs are plenty. Don't make it too long!
6. Do include reference letters if you have them.
ZEIDLER PARTNERSHIP (BEIJING OFFICE)
1) Hand sketches, concept sketches; 2) Thinking process; 3) Work showing all aspects
Very important, as it shows the taste of the presenters.
projects?
Scope of experience is important, and meantime the quality of work is important, too.
Digital is good for initial e-mail communication, while hard copy is preferred for interview.
No role description, but only project name list with no images in their portfolio.
Expected salary shall consider the local living expenses and market price. For example, China has much
lower living expenses, so expected the pay for cost living in North America or Europe will reduce the
chances in China.
FIEDLER MARCIANO | ARCHITECTURE

If senior level, work from previous offices. Otherwise, work from previous job and student portfolio
(with 2d and 3d images)
Very
projects?
A lot of work
Hard copy
Be prepared to ask questions
Portfolio images too small, spelling mistakes
JUBANY NAC | ARCHITECTURE

Interns: presentations, design, writing; Upper level: CD's, writing skills.
Very important because we are looking for rendering / presentation skills, not just design or drafting
skills.
projects?
Smaller section
An email of interest with work in digital format is always better because we can do a first determination
on whether or not to spend the time to interview the applicant.
Be on time, have questions for us, do your homework (know who we are and what we do), have an idea
of what you're interested in doing, don't forget your portfolio.
Bad grammar / spelling, being unaware of the requested qualifications (if responding to a particular ad),
generic cover letters.
Be honest with your abilities and interestsI have applied to jobs for which I thought I might be under
qualified but got the offer because I was open to the firm's desires. Have a dialogue with your
interviewerdon't not talk, or talk too much. If you know what the firm does / who they are, make that
apparent in the interviewit makes you seem more interested in working for usnot just getting a job.
If you have special circumstances (school, visa requirements, etc) be upfront about that. Let us know
what you think your general career plan might be we like to look at people for the long range.
CANNON DESIGN
Creativity and design intelligence; how carefully the portfolio is put together; computer savvy
Very important (it is part of our first impression of the applicant)
projects?
Preferably a smaller selection of carefully selected projects
Hard Copy format is the preferred format among hiring managers
1. Have an interesting portfolio, 2. Have at least 3 intelligent questions about the job that is being
offered or the company,
3. Have all pertinent info with you so you can complete a job application right there, on the spot - don't
leave blanks.,
4. Know how much salary you want, 5. Be on time but don't be more than 15 minutes early! 6. ALWAYS
check out the prospective company's webpage on the internet.
1. Leaving blanks
2. Not knowing what salary they want
3. Incomplete job history or reference information & bad phone numbers
4. Misspellings
Contact your business references if it has been a while since you last spoke. Update them on your
progress.
RED TOP ARCHITECTS

The highlights from past work experience and school work. 4 pages maximum.
Extremely important. Must be presented concisely and clearly.
projects?
Smaller selections.
Digital
Bring hard copies of portfolio and construction documents. Do not take up too much time explaining
individual projects unless prompted by the employer. Relax and smile.
Not including an actual resume that is clear and well designed.but not over designed.
The email should address the employer and not just have a resume attached. Keep everything simple
and not have more than two attachments.

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The Architecture Job Application

Hints & Suggestions from Employers

The following questions were posed to the employers:

RAFAEL VINOLY ARCHITECTS

WINTER & COMPANY

MIHAI RADU ARCHITECTS

PETER MARINO ARCHITECT

FIEDLER MARCIANO | ARCHITECTURE

JUBANY NAC | ARCHITECTURE

RED TOP ARCHITECTS

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