Architect Resume Guide + Tips + Example
by Kellie Hanna, You need a great resume to get a job as an architect, and we’re here to help you create one. Our guide to crafting a perfect resume for an architect 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 sample architect resume, or explore our library of customizable resume templates to find the best architect resume template for you.
More Resume examples for the next step in your architecture career
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 personal statement is also known as a professional summary. It’s 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 personal statement, along with one or two notable accomplishments.
Skills
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 our sample resume for an architect. Include hard and soft skills, such as writing and attention to detail.
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 two or three measurable achievements. If you’re applying for your first job, use this section to highlight extracurricular activities, coursework, presentations, volunteer experience and community service.
Education
A resume for an architect job must include an education section, even if you don’t have a diploma or a degree. Like our sample architect resume, display your education with bullet points. List the names of the schools you attended and the years you graduated. If you did not graduate, show the school or schools you attended and some of your classes.
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Action words for a stand-out architect resume
Action words and numbers 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
- Complete
- Attend
- Perform
- Recommend
- Advise
- Led
- Strategize
- Analyze
- Identify
- Spearhead
Browse our library of hundreds of sample resumes for more architect resume samples to help you write the perfect resume.
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 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!
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
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:
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Architect resume FAQ
1. What is the right format for an architect resume?
The resume format you use for a resume for an architect depends on your experience and goals. If you have a few years of experience, choose the combination resume format, which highlights your work history and skills. If you’re just breaking into the industry, use the functional resume format, which focuses on your industry-related skills and training. If you have more than five years of experience, try the chronological resume format, which leans heavily on your past work achievements.
2. 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:
- Get inspiration from architect resume examples.
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be one inch on all sides, and line space 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.
3. 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.
- Use action words 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.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not relevant to writing.
- Forget to proofread. An architect resume will be discarded immediately.
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.
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 coworkers describe you?
- Describe a time when you needed to cope with a stressful situation.
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 you looking for in a candidate?
- What is a typical day like in this job?
- How would my performance be evaluated?
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 coworkers and a manager who can speak highly of your job qualifications.
If you are 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
Kellie Hanna
Content Strategist, Career Advice Expert
Kellie is the content strategist for My Perfect Resume. She has more than 20 years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She has a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
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