Architect Resume Example + Guide + Tips
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Architects are responsible for designing and constructing buildings and other structures. Architects are creative problem solvers who use a variety of tools and techniques to design and construct buildings that meet the needs of their clients.
You need a great resume to get a job as an architect, and we’re here to help you learn how to write a resume for the architect position you want. Our architect resume samples and guide will help you make the most of your design skills and attention to detail to ensure you stand out to employers.
Start by editing this architect sample resume, or explore our library of customizable resume templates to find the best architect resume template for you.
Architect resume example (text version)
Harry Hanson
Houston, TX 77016
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Versatile architect accomplished at designing commercial and residential structures of varying styles and purposes. Careers spanning five years with a record of sound, sustainable design that meets or exceeds LEED standards. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges.
Skills
- Structural engineering
- Stress analysis
- Creative designs
- AutoCAD & Revit
- PhotoShop & Sketch Up
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Project management
Work History
April 2018 – Current
Bark Architectural Services – Houston, TX
Architect
- Devise an overall strategy for documentation and identify design sets planned for each stage of work including as-built designs and final building information models (BIM).
- Discuss zoning laws, fire regulations and building codes with city and county government agencies.
- Keep all 14 projects on schedule and within budget while serving as project leader.
June 2015 – March 2018
GLMV Architecture – Houston, TX
Junior Architect
- Assisted with 11 projects from concept through delivery including researching, designing and producing documents.
- Completed site appraisals before and after construction.
- Attended all team meetings to resolve technical and project issues, coordinate with team members and review project schedules.
June 2011 – September 2014
Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville – Houston, TX
Architecture Intern
- Performed research on structures and materials.
- Studied local architectural regulations and codes to assist with designing using AutoCAD.
- Recommended minor adaptations and modifications to complete working drawing sets for seven projects.
Education
May 2013-May 2015
University of Houston – Downtown Houston, TX
Bachelor of Architecture Architecture
Licenses
Architecture License, Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) – (Updated 2022)
5 essentials of a top architect resume
Contact details
Place your contact information at the top of the page. It must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile and professional website, add them as well.
Personal statement
A professional summary is a concise, three- to five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you bring to the table. Include some of your top skills in your summary, along with one or two notable accomplishments.
Here’s a great example of a professional summary for an architect resume:
“Highly motivated and creative architect with 10+ years of experience in residential and commercial building design. Skilled in using AutoCAD, Revit and SketchUp to develop innovative and cost-effective designs that meet client expectations. Proven track record of utilizing advanced technologies to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Experienced in working with contractors and project teams to ensure quality assurance and client satisfaction. Passionate about creating beautiful designs that are both functional and visually appealing.”
Skills
Architects must have a deep understanding of structural engineering, building codes and construction processes in order to create safe and functional structures. Architects must also have strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with clients, contractors and other stakeholders.
On your architect resume template, create a skills section so hiring managers can see your skills at a glance. Add a bulleted list of five to eight job-relevant skills in this section, like in our sample resume for an architect. Include hard and soft skills, such as blueprint sketching and creativity.
Work history
An architect resume must include a job history section. In reverse-chronological order, list your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them, plus to three to five measurable achievements.
If you’re applying for your first job, use this section to highlight extracurricular activities, coursework, presentations, volunteer experience and community service.
Your measurable achievements might look like this:
- Designed and built a multimillion-dollar facility for a large retail store, with a total cost-savings of 15%.
- Spearheaded the design of a 3,000 square foot office building while keeping the project on-time and within budget.
- Developed 8 commercial buildings for a single client, increasing their overall profits by 10%.
Education
A resume for an architect job must include an education section. List the names of the schools you attended and the years you graduated. If you haven’t graduated, list the school you’re attending and some of your classes.
The educational requirements for an architect vary by country, but typically involve completing a degree in architecture from an accredited university. In the United States, a professional degree in architecture is required in order to become a licensed architect. This usually involves completing a five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) or a two- to three-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) program.
After graduation, many aspiring architects pursue additional training through internships and licensure exams. In some countries, additional qualifications such as professional certification may also be necessary to practice architecture.
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Action words for a standout architect resume
Action words strengthen resumes because they tell hiring managers exactly what you did and your impact.
Here’s a short list of perfect action words for an architect resume:
- Research
- Present
- Develop
- Create
- Manage
- Draft
- Consult
- Sketch
- Design
- Complete
- Attend
- Perform
- Recommend
- Advise
- Lead
- Strategize
- Analyze
- Identify
- Spearhead
Browse our library of hundreds of sample resumes for more architect resume samples to help you write the perfect resume.
Top skills for an architect resume
Review the job description closely and match the required skills to the skills and traits that fit you.
Top architect skills for a resume might include:
- AutoCAD
- Design
- Creativity
- Stress analysis
- Structural engineering
- Design software
- Collaboration
- Project management
- Time management
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Critical thinking
- Strategy
- Analysis
- Research
- Attention to detail
- Presentation
- Architectural regulations
- Compliance
- Safety
- Research
Need an architect resume now? Our Resume Builder has all the tools you need to create a professional resume in minutes! Get inspired with our architect resume samples, then fill in a matching template with our ready-to-use expert phrases. You can make edits on the fly, download your finished resume, save it in one of the standard resume formats and send it to your target employer. It’s that easy!
Certifications for an architect resume
Most architect jobs in the United States do not require professional certifications, but having one or more on your resume for an architect job will help you shine.
Luckily, there are some certification opportunities for architects to give you a leg up, including the following:
- Leed AP Building Design and Construction
- The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)
- Certified Professional Autodesk Revit Architecture
- Certified Build Services Executive
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Architect resume FAQ
What should I include in my architect resume?
Your architect resume should include your contact information, a summary of your qualifications, a list of your professional experience, any relevant skills, and any professional certifications or licenses you possess. You may also wish to include a portfolio of your work.
What are some tips for crafting a great architect resume?
An architect resume will vary from person to person, but pay attention to these important guidelines:
- Use the correct resume format .
- Get inspiration from architect resume examples.
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be 1 inch on all sides, and line spacing should be single or 1.5 inches.
- Only use appropriate fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
- Proofread your resume more than once before sending it to potential employers.
- Include technical skills such as design presentations and construction documentation, and computer skills such as CAD, 3D modeling and rendering software.
How do you include keywords in an architect resume?
Employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan and look for keywords in your architect resume that show you’re the right fit for the job. To get the correct keywords in your document, analyze the job posting and note specific attributes the employer is looking for, such as “AutoCAD and Revit knowledge” or your “ability to translate client ideas into visuals.”
In your summary, skills and work history sections, describe yourself in ways that match up with these keywords. For example, you could list “3D design” as a skill or mention a work experience in which you created an integrated design.
Do’s and don’ts for building an architect resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your architect abilities and experience. For example, “Collaborated with a team of 10 engineers to successfully build a bridge, resulting in a 10% decrease in construction costs.”
- Use action words such as “inspect,” “transform” and “restore” to make an impact on your architect resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target architect job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your architect resume.
- Format your architect resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your writing experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best architect ever.” Instead, showcase your accomplishments, like “Won Architect of the Century award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not relevant to being an architect.
- Forget to proofread. An architect resume must be error-free.
Top 4 tips for acing an architect interview
Research first.
To make a great first impression, learn about the potential employer’s history, goals, values and people before your first interview. Talking about the company knowledgeably shows genuine interest, dedication and commitment, which hiring managers like to see.
Some things to consider when researching a company:
- Check to see if the company has a portfolio of past work related to architecture.
- Look for a company mission statement that includes a commitment to architecture.
- Research the company’s reputation and its commitment to architecture.
- Ensure that the company is up to date with the latest architecture trends and technologies.
- Ask about the company’s specific architectural design process.
- Find out the company’s approach to sustainability, energy efficiency and other environmental considerations.
- Understand the company’s timeline for project completion and the process they follow.
- Determine if the company has the resources necessary to complete the project.
- Ask about the company’s communication processes and how they involve architects.
- Look into the company’s project management process and how they involve architects.
Practice makes perfect!
To practice for your interview, start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
- How would your co-workers describe you?
- Describe a time when you needed to cope with a stressful situation.
Ensure you’re ready to answer architecture-specific questions, like:
- What type of software do you use to create drawings, renderings and models?
- How do you stay up to date on new and emerging architecture trends?
- How would you tackle a challenging building project?
- What is your experience with building codes and regulations?
- How do you ensure that a building project meets the client’s needs and expectations?
- Are you comfortable leading a team of architects and designers?
Think back to some of your recent work experiences and write down one or two possible answers as you review potential questions. Then ask a friend or relative to help you practice. Ask your interview partner for a review and work on improving your weaknesses. You’ll feel confident and ready when it’s time for the real thing.
Ask questions.
Your interviewer will likely ask if you have any questions at the end of your session — and they will expect you to have at least two or three questions for them.
Some questions you might ask for a job as an architect might include the following:
- What are the challenges you typically face when designing a project?
- What are the most important design elements that you look for in an architectural design?
- Are there any special design considerations that you require for your projects?
- Are there any specific design software programs that you use in your projects?
Gather references.
Have professional references ready if the hiring manager requests them after your interview. Being prepared in advance can make a great impression. Have a list of two or three former co-workers and a manager who can speak highly of your job qualifications.
If you’re applying for your first full-time job, ask a former professor, volunteer coordinator, classmate or community leader who can vouch for your character and skills.
CV examples for the next step in your architecture career
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Sources
- National Council of Architecture Registration Boards. Blog. Hilton, Claire. Your Guide to Becoming an Architect
- US News. Article. Kowarski, Ilana. How to Study Architecture and Become an Architect
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Architect Resume Example
Kellie is a career advice writer. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
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