Architect Resume Example [2023] - Update Yours In 5 Minutes

Inspirational Architect Resume Example

Let’s start with an architect resume example! The resume at the beginning of the article is well-built and contains all the right information about the candidate.

Here’s what makes it so compelling:

• Chronological format. The chronological format is the most popular resume format among recruiters worldwide, and hence, it’s the best choice for this architect resume example.
• Impactful resume summary. In just two sentences, this architect resume example shows the candidate’s top skills and professional aspirations. The hiring manager knows that the candidate has the right background just from a single glance at the resume.
• Relevant contact details. In addition to the essential contact details, this candidate has also included the link to their architecture website and Instagram profile.
• One-page resume. This architect resume example doesn’t exceed the standard one-page length. It offers the recruiter just enough information about the candidate without getting too much into details.
• Bullet points to list information. By using bullet points, the layout of the architect resume example above looks clean, well-organized, and easy to read.
• Quantifiable achievements. The candidate has included achievements in their work experience section (as opposed to responsibilities). They also added concrete data and numbers to make the achievements more compelling.
• Industry-related skills. The architect resume example above does a great job listing soft and hard skills that are relevant for the job.
• Additional resume sections. The candidate has used the extra space on their resume to add extra sections such as “Languages” and “Interests,” which can help them stand out from other applicants with similar experiences.

Step-By-Step Guide to Write Your Architect Resume

Inspired by the architect's resume above? Well, now it’s time to create your own!

Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to write an architect resume in 8 easy steps, starting with:

#1. Format Your Architect Resume 

The first thing you want to know is that your resume should follow the chronological resume format. 

Not only is it the most popular format among recruiters anywhere in the world, but it also helps convey your work history best by focusing more on it over other sections. 

Once you got the resume format settled, start working on your resume layout, which involves:

• Using headers to separate the different sections of your resume.
• Keeping your resume within the optimal 1-page length to make sure recruiters go through all of it (unless you have 10+ years of valuable experience to list).
• Using the typical 11-12 pt font size. If you go for anything smaller, the text would be hard to read, and anything bigger would take up too much space.
• Choosing a font like Roboto, Rokkit or Overpass for your resume to look both professional and memorable at the same time.
• Save your resume as a PDF file (unless otherwise recommended) to ensure it opens on all devices and Operating Systems.

Use a Free Architect Resume Template 

As a professional architect, you’ve got much more important things to do than spend hours tinkering with your resume’s layout and formatting.

Well, what if we told you there’s a way to get past all that unnecessary hassle?

Yeap, just by using a free resume template you can save hours of your time AND end up with a professional architect resume. 

All you have to do is pick a template, fill in your contents, and you’re good to go!

And the best part? Our resume templates look so much better than the traditional black-and-white Word ones. Take a look for yourself:

#2. List Your Contact Details 

Start filling in your resume’s contents by listing your contact information.

As basic as this section is, there’s one thing you should make sure of—that it has no typos. 

After all, no matter how amazing your architect resume might be, none of it is going to count if the recruiter can’t contact you because of a typo in your phone number.

So, double-check all the information you provide, which should include: 

• Name and surname
• Professional title
• Phone number
• Email
• Location (city and state/country)
• Link to an online portfolio or your professional website (e.g. Behance)

Here’s an example of an architect resume contact information section:

#3. Write an Architect Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Your resume profile, also known as resume summary or objective, is basically an elevator pitch of your resume.

In 2-4 sentences, you cover the highlights of your career, which includes:

• Your years of experience.
• 1-2 top achievements.
• Relevant skills.
• Career goals.

Now, depending on your level of work experience, you’d either opt for a resume summary or an objective. Here’s how the two differ:

The resume summary focuses more on your past work experience and less on your goals. Usually, it includes your years of experience, top skills, and professional highlights:

A resume objective, on the other hand, is more about your skill-set, educational background, and career goals. As such, it’s much more useful for students lacking in work experience.

#4. Make Your Work Experience Stand Out 

Consider your work experience section your resume’s #1 asset. 

After all, what best way to prove to recruiters that you’re a worthy candidate other than dazzling them with your past professional achievements and responsibilities?

As such, you have to make sure this section is as compelling as it can be.  

So, first things first, deal with the formatting:

• Start with your most recent/current positions and go backward in time.
• Don’t bother listing jobs you’ve had years ago or that aren’t all that relevant to the position. The hiring manager won’t be impressed by your data entry job ten years back. 
• Begin each entry with your work title and then add the company name, the dates you worked there, and 3-5 of your achievements and responsibilities, in bullet points.

Now, listing your work experience the right way is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to standing out from other applicants - and that’s especially true for architecture, one of the most competitive professions out there. 

The key here is to prioritize your achievements over your responsibilities as much as possible. 

Think about it - if you submit a resume with 5-6 responsibilities under each work entry, you’d have done little to impress recruiters. 

Not only do they know an architect’s basic job responsibilities (create project proposals, compile feasibility reports, and the sorts), but they’ve also probably read them in 80% of the other applications. 

Achievements, on the other hand, are uniquely yours and thus they can truly help you stand out.

So, how exactly can you highlight your achievements? Here are a couple of simple tips:

• Explain your achievements in as much detail as possible. Instead of just mentioning what you achieved, also say how you did it and what the exact end result was. 
• Use Laszlo Bock’s formula to quantify your achievements. Numbers are way more convincing than words. That’s why, to give your achievements one more layer of credibility, make them quantifiable. The formula “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z] will help you do just that!  
• Use action words and active voice. Instead of the generic “did,” describe your achievements using action words such as “spearheaded,” “accomplished,” “managed,” etc. 

Not too difficult, right? Now let’s check an architect resume work experience section that does all the above just right: 

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience? 

Now, if you’re a student with no experience or a recent graduate applying for an entry-level position, your work experience section is bound to be “dry.” 

Well, you have nothing to worry about. If you’re applying for an entry-level role, the recruiter looking at your resume doesn’t actually expect you to have any work experience in the first place. 

Rather, they’re more interested in seeing your portfolio and learning about your passion for the job.

And the good news? Your portfolio is in no way limited by the number of jobs you’ve had. On the contrary - you can build a pretty impressive portfolio simply by including things like:

• Academic and personal architecture projects
• Contests where you’ve participated or won
• Freelance jobs you’ve found online (e.g. on Upwork)

#5. List Your Education The Right Way 

The education section might not be as important as the work section, but that in no way means it shouldn’t be spotless. 

Simply follow these guidelines and you’ll have a short and to-the-point education section: 

• Start off with your highest degree and follow that up with the university’s name, location, and the years you attended. 
• If you have another advanced degree (e.g. Masters’ and Bachelors’ degrees), include it in your resume too. 
• Feel free to skip out on a high school degree if you have a Bachelors’.

Now, if you’re an entry-level professional, you can list any academic achievements that are relevant to the job under each of your education entries to enrich your architect resume. 

Did you graduate top of your class in Urban Planning? Or, maybe, you started and led an architecture club during college…no matter the case, make sure to mention such things, as they add value to your architect resume. 

Here’s an example of an entry-level graduate’s education section that does everything right:

#6. List Your Architecture Skills 

A strong skills section - especially when it comes to technical jobs such as architecture - is the second thing recruiters will notice after your work experience. 

As such, you’ve got to make it count by adding both hard and soft skills. 

However, keep in mind this doesn’t mean listing all the skills you possess just to fill up space. You can probably imagine the recruiter doesn’t expect to read about your chess-playing skills. 

Instead, what you want to do is list skills that are relevant to architecture and, specifically, to the job you’re applying for. Here’s an easy way to do that:

• Make a list of your architecture-related soft skills (e.g. communication, teamwork, active listening), and hard skills (e.g. 3D Design, model building, hand drafting). 
• Check the skills the position you’re applying for requires on the job description. 
• Put your skills that match those in the job description first and follow up with other industry-relevant skills you possess. 

30 Architect Resume Skills to Use on Your Resume 

Soft Skills

1. Presentation Skills 
2. Public Speaking
3. Active Listening
4. Perseverance
5. Written & Oral Communication
6. Creativity
7. Problem Solving
8. Critical Thinking
9. Confidence
10. Empathy
11. Intercultural Competence
12. Patience
13. Punctuality 
14. Collaboration
15. Decision-making

Hard Skills

1. Hand Drafting
2. Sketching
3. Autodesk AutoCAD
4. ArcGIS
5. Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
6. Sketchup Pro
7. Autodesk Revit
8. Windows & OSX Operating systems
9. Microsoft Office
10. Google Drive/Docs
11. Basic Web Development
12. Model Building
13. Dark Room Techniques
14. Digital + Film Photography
15. 3D Design

#7. Take Advantage of These Additional Sections 

At this point, if your resume is already one page long, you can safely consider your resume completed. 

In case you have some space left, however, you should definitely take advantage of some extra sections relevant to architecture such as projects, certifications, or conferences attended. 

Though they won’t determine whether you get the job or not, these sections will do the following:

• Help you stand out from applicants with the same qualifications. If you’re competing against someone with similar work experience and skill set as you, then these extra sections will help you stand out once more and testify to your professionalism and passion. 
• Make your architect resume more diverse. This is especially true if you’re a recent graduate who needs all the architecture-related experience you can get to show recruiters that you’re going to be a committed and passionate employee. 

Here are some additional sections you can add to your architect resume:

• Awards and certifications. Did you win an architecture competition or get certified as a System Architect? Any such accomplishments belong under this resume section!
• Conferences attended. Attending architecture conferences no doubt means you’re passionate about your profession. We’re sure that’s something recruiters want to learn about.
• Accolades or recognitions. Were you recognized for being the best plan developer or project manager in your previous work? Yeap, definitely include that in your resume if you’ve got the space.  
• Languages. Speaking a foreign language is always an asset. For example, you’ll be able to establish a rapport with foreign clients and coworkers or be more likely to get hired somewhere abroad. And these are just two out of many advantages. 
• Hobbies and interests. Your hobbies and interests are a great way to add some flavor to your resume and show what you do in your free time. 
• Projects. Additionally to your portfolio, you can highlight 1-2 projects that you’re most proud of on your resume also. That way, recruiters will know about your best work without having to go through your entire folder. 

#8. Pair Your Architect Resume With a Cover Letter 

Attaching a cover letter to your architect resume is just as important as having a portfolio. 

A cover letter allows you to elaborate on your skills and achievements and mention anything you didn’t have the space for on your resume.    

So, how to write a cover letter that’s just as good as your resume? 

Here’s what we recommend:

• Address the cover letter in a more personal way. If you know the recruiter’s first or last name, you can use it to address them directly. This is guaranteed to grab their attention (unlike the traditional “Dear Sir/Madam”).
• Start off with an attention-grabbing introduction that highlights your most noteworthy skills and achievements. 
• Give a more in-depth description of your experience, projects, and other relevant qualifications throughout the cover letter’s body section. Remember: achievements are always the best way to support your claims!
• End your cover letter with a memorable closing sentence and a call to action. 

Key Takeaways  

And that’s a wrap! 

We hope that you feel more than ready to start writing an architect resume that does your skills and experiences justice. Before you go, though, let’s go over the main points we covered in the article:

• Choose the chronological format for your architect resume to make sure any recruiter who reads it gives it a thumbs up.
• Get recruiters invested in your resume by writing an attention-grabbing resume summary or objective. 
• Make the work experience section as achievement-oriented as possible to set yourself apart from other candidates. 
• Include industry-related skills that are preferably tailored to the exact position you’re applying for. 
• Fill up any additional space you’ve got left with additional sections such as “Awards and Certifications,” “Projects,” or “Hobbies and Interests.”
• Make sure to include a cover letter in your application package.