Architecture Student Resume Writing Guide With The Best Tips To Write The Perfect Resume

This will help you apply for an entry-level position while you're still in school or right after graduation to get some experience in the industry.

However, there's only one challenge. Most architecture student resumes will have the same qualifications, so yours must stand out.

Our guide will give you the best tips to help you craft a job-winning resume. Also, check out our resume examples which have some great ideas that you can incorporate into your resume. Let's look at some of the topics we'll cover.

• An architect resume example that's easy to follow.
• Tips to follow as you add your experience to your resume.
• The right resume format for your architect student resume.
• The best skills to add to your resume to make it stand out.

Salaries and Job Market For Architects

According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, the employment of architects is projected to grow 3 percent from 2020 to 2030.

The industries with the highest levels of employment in architecture and engineering occupations:

• Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
• Federal Executive Branch(OEWS Designation)
• Scientific Research and Development Services
• Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
• Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing

The average salary for an entry-level architect is $66,000. The typical range is $58,000 and $74,000, depending on your education, skills, and professional experience.

How to Make an Architecture Student Resume

You may not have experience as an architecture student, but with an outstanding resume, you can get an opportunity that will propel you in your career.

Architecture jobs are different, so you should always check the job description and tailor each resume you send to the recruiter. The right keywords and action verbs are also essential and will ensure that your resume gets past the ATS systems.

Also, avoid using one job title for multiple applications. Instead, tailor each of them and optimize them with keywords.

Your resume's format, layout, and structure should also be done properly. Let's look at each of them in detail.

Resume Format, layout, and structure

The right architecture resume format allows you to start with your best qualifications. Here are three formats you can choose from.

• Reverse-chronological order - This format focuses on experience and is a favorite of most recruiters. You can use this format if you've worked as an architect before.
• The functional resume - This format focuses on your skills and is perfect if you recently graduated or are changing careers.
• Hybrid/combination- This format is perfect for you if you have the required skills and experience. It also combines the best features of the two other formats.

As an architect, you probably want your resume to stand out with a unique design but keep it simple. Most recruiters only spend a few seconds on the resume and will not hesitate to put it aside if it's hard to read or understand. Use our resume templates with beautiful designs that are easy for any recruiter to follow. Use easy-to-read fonts such as Times New Roman, Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, and Calibri. The font size should be 10-12pt.

The structure of your architect resume should have the following sections:

• The header section
• Professional summary/objective
• Work experience
• Education section
• Skills section
• An additional section (Computer skills and certifications, languages, and interests)

The Header Section And Contact Information

The header section contains the following details:

• Your full name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location
• A link to your online portfolio

The recruiter may need to reach you, so ensure that the details in this section are accurate.

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Photo Or No Photo?

Avoid having a photo on your resume unless the recruiter asks you for one. Most recruiters advise against it because it causes discrimination against the candidate.

Detail Your Employment History In The Experience Section

This section can be challenging for a student because you may not have much experience. However, you shouldn't leave it blank because it can help set you apart from the other candidates.

Add your volunteer experiences and internships related to the job. As you do so, optimize the job duties by adding the relevant keywords and action verbs.

You'll start with your most recent job or internship and go backward. Under each job, list three to five job responsibilities and quantify them with figures and facts.

If you have any other experience not related to the job, focus on highlighting the transferable skills you gained at the job. Also, show the recruiter how the skills will help you excel in the new position.

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Add Your Education

The education section on your architect resume is crucial, especially if you don't have experience. Use this section to highlight all your academic achievements. Remember that most of the other candidates in your position have the same qualifications, so you need to stand out.

Start with your most recent achievement going backward. If you have a Master's degree, start with it, then add your bachelor's degree. You can leave out the high school diploma if you have these two qualifications.

Under each section, you can add relevant courses that have prepared you for your desired position. Start with the name of the degree/diploma, the name of the school, and the year of graduation/expected graduation date.

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Best Skills for an Architect's Resume

The right and relevant skills on your resume will make a significant difference and increase your chances of landing an interview. Hiring managers usually have specific skills they are looking for and use ATS systems to filter out resumes that don't have them. Check the job description and add the required skills to your resume.

However, don't add a skill you don't have to your resume. The hiring manager may ask you about these skills, and you'll lose the opportunity if you're lying. The skills should have both hard and soft skills.

Hard skills require training/teaching, and they allow you to be able to complete job-specific tasks. On the other hand, soft skills are interpersonal traits that help you relate well with colleagues and clients.

List your skills using bullet points and separate the hard and soft skills. Here are some architecture skills you should add to your resume. Hard skills

• Site planning and design expert
• Construction methodology
• Schematic design
• Architectural readings
• SketchUp
• Budgeting
• Lead Development
• Zoning

Soft skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Critical thinking
• Creative problem solving
• Communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Team player
• Time management
• Decision making

Write an Exceptional Architect Resume Summary

A resume summary is a vital part of your resume that comes right after the header. It introduces your resume and gives the recruiter an idea of what to expect in your resume. Highlight the top achievements that will catch the recruiter's eye and interest them in reading the rest of your resume. If you have some years of experience in architecture, highlight the experience and skills you possess that make you the perfect candidate.

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Professional Objective

A professional/resume objective is perfect for your architecture student's resume. It works the same way as the resume summary and is suitable for candidates who recently graduated or are changing careers. It summarizes your career goals and shows the hiring manager how they align with the company goals. It also allows you to express your interest in working at the company.

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Additional Headings for Your Resume

When you're starting your career, it may be hard to write a resume that stands out because you've not accomplished much. This section of your resume allows you to highlight the extra qualifications that set you apart from the other candidates.

Hiring managers only spend a few seconds on each resume and can easily miss some of your unique skills. Add the skills and extra qualifications that make you a unique candidate here to ensure that the recruiter doesn't miss them.

Let's look at some of the qualifications you'll add here.

Computer Skills and Certifications

The computer skills fit well in the general skills section, but the recruiter can miss them easily. Add them under this section to make them more visible. Architects need computer skills to operate various software tools, so this qualification can help you stand out.

Certifications should always be in a separate section. Some architecture resume examples will list them under the education section, which is okay, but the recruiter can miss them easily. Here are some certifications that will help your resume stand out.

• Project Management Professional(PMP)
• The Open Group Architecture Framework(TOGAF)
• Certified Professional AutoDesk Revit Architecture 2012

Languages

Every bilingual candidate has an edge over the other job seekers, so you don't want the recruiter to miss this qualification. When listing the languages, use the official language reference as follows:

• TOEFL or IELTS for English
• DELF for French
• SIELE for Spanish

Interests

Your interests should align with the company culture, so you must do some research on the company before adding them. It's also a great way to let the recruiter know who you are outside of work.

Tips to Boost Your Architectural Resume

• Always use a new resume for every job application and tailor it to match the recruiter's requirements.
• Use an architecture resume template to structure your resume properly.
• Add the right action verbs and keywords to optimize your resume.
• Proofread your resume before sending it to ensure it has no errors.
• Using the right resume format ensures that you start your resume with your top achievements.
• Start your resume with a strong resume objective.

Key Takeaways

• The header which contains your personal details should be brief, and the details should be accurate.
• Start your resume with a resume objective/summary that's catchy to get the recruiter to read the rest of your resume.
• Always add a work experience section to your student resume and include your volunteer and internship experiences.
• Use the education section to highlight the academic achievements that set you apart from the other candidates.
• List all your skills using bullet points separating the hard and soft skills.
• An additional section allows you to highlight your extra qualifications and skills you don't want the recruiter to miss.

Accompany Your Resume with a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a document that gives more information about your qualifications. It gives you room to introduce yourself more personally as you describe your top accomplishments. Every resume should be complemented with a cover letter unless the recruiter doesn't require one. Check out our cover letter examples if you need some help creating a cover letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which top companies are hiring for architectural designer jobs?

According to Glassdoor, the companies hiring for architecture jobs include:

• Gensler
• AECOM
• Kohn Pedersen Fox
• CallisonRTKL
• Perkins Eastman
• Stantec
• Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
• Jacobs

How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in architecture?

It takes a minimum of five years. If you want to pursue a graduate degree, it will take an additional three years.