Resume Building

Prospective employers are looking for specific information: a candidate's background in line with the firm's needs, reliability, and initiative or leadership. Other information like attention to detail, or design sensitivity is inferred from the appearance and visual layout of the resume. All this means that while appearance is important (it is very important), it is content that carries the candidate forward. Page design will keep you in the running, but content gets the job. When designing and writing a resume keep the following in mind.]

Condense it. Demonstrating the ability to outline important points is critical. Although education, experience, and a list of projects you have worked on are all important in an architectural resume, no one looking at a stack of resumes has time to look through a multiple page document. One or two pages should be sufficient.]

Leading with a strong suit. There is no one rule or formula for the organization of a resume. The reader's eye tends to wander down toward the bottom of the page if there is nothing at the top to hold one's interest. So think about starting your resume with your best selling point. If you have limited professional experience, then make education and your academic achievements your lead.]

No fancy gimmicks or graphics. Rule lines and bullets can be used to organize the information on your resume, but fancy graphics and flowery paper are more likely to make your resume suspect. The best advice of most professionals is to have a coherent page layout, one or possibly two typefaces, and good quality, plain paper. Keep in mind your portfolio will convince your prospective employer of your design talents and inventiveness.]

Top-notch language. Superlatives such as "outstanding" and "award-winning" do very little to illustrate your capabilities. Wording that emphasizes actual involvement and performance like "implemented," "responsible for," or "organized," when used with a very brief description of the task, help the interviewer discern initiative and responsibility.]

Just the facts. Don't exaggerate; just state in a clear manner your actual role.]

Customize. A form letter and resume will frequently get a canned response from the firm. Do some research about the firms to which you are applying. Find out what they are looking for and then write a letter that draws attention to your particular skills that will most benefit the firm. This is best done with a cover letter designed for the firm and as an accompaniment to your resume. A stated objective on a resume is not always the best bet. Most often it is too general to have any meaning or it does not match the interests of the firm so it eliminates you from consideration. Better to know what job you are applying for (research the job description), understand the attributes of the firm you are applying to, and describe those attributes in your experience that will describe why you are best suited for this job. Remember, defining needs and describing resources that are available to respond to those needs is an important aspect of an architect's responsibilities in a firm.]

Countdown to a Job

September. Start ARCH 5001 studio project strong; Research firms I want to work for. Determine address, phone number, and personal contact.

October. Over fall break design portfolio and mailer layout. Review firms you are interested in with faculty. Ask faculty for names and contacts of other firms that are similar.

November. Scan past projects

December. Produce draft mailer, resume and portfolio

January. Ask faculty for design critique on your entire package (resume, mailer, portfolio). Make modifications.

February. Prepare for Career Day interviews. Register for Career Day. Production of all materials.

March. Send mailer & resume to firms

April. Phone firms to follow-up on initial mailing and obtain interview. Interviews and negotiation.

May. Graduation and employment