Episode 13: 8 Tips To Help You Land Your First Job In An Architecture Firm [Podcast]

You’re in the process of looking for your first real job in an architecture office. You’re nervous and may have a feeling of being overwhelmed at the whole process. Well have no fear, Eric and I are here to share our thoughts and experiences, both as an employee and an employer. 

Eric and I each have over 25 years of experience (that’s 50 years for the math wizards) in the architecture profession and we have both been on the side of the employee trying to get the job and the employer having to sift through a pile of resumes to find qualified candidates. We discuss 8 Tips that will help you land your first real architecture job.

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NCARB News

The IDP program, administered by NCARB is going through changes. NCARB published a post last fall describing this in more detail. NCARB expects the first phase to be implemented around June 15, 2015. If you’re not up to date on the latest happenings with IDP, be sure to check out the post titled NCARB Board Approves Streamlining and Overhauling of the Intern Development Program (IDP) for more information. You don’t want to be left behind when you’re preparing for the Architect Registration Exam. 

Things discussed in this episode

1. Preparing

Do your Research before hand

Know they project types (will affect their priority, i.e.: budgets

LinkedIn profile:  have one, add results, ask for testimonials (professors count!)

Block (or take down) Facebook photos of you getting drunk at a kegger

2. Cover Letter

Not about you

Show how why they should hire you

3. Resume

Show how your different, not the same

9 second rule

Typos, including they’re/their

SEO rule (fear the machines reading your resume, use keywords)

Customize per job title or role (not per company)

Quantify everything

Not an autobiography, it’s a sales pitch (why you must hire me)

Use icons for apps you know, instead of text

Naming your file (not resume,pdf)

4. Getting an interview

Networking through LinkedIn

Taking them to coffee

Look for a mentor

Email follow up

Don’t show up unannounced

When to follow up (or not)

Connecting on LinkedIn (not on Facebook

5. Nailing the interview

Entering the room (with confidence)

Make eye contact, smile, shake hands

Your only goal is to connect with them

Ask questions back: INTERVIEW THEM.

– “What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 to 90 days?”– “What are the common attributes of your top performers?”– “What are the one or two things that really drive results for the company?”– “What do employees do in their spare time?”– “How do you manage deadlines? clients?”

Study their website

Look at their Facebook and twitter feed

Know their projects and be able to mention them by name

Prepare yourself for typical interview questions (and nail them!)

Don’t act weird or desperate (Eric’s creepy cupcake story)

Listen, don’t talk the whole time (nerves will make you want to fill the silence)

Never say anything negative about anyone ever

Acknowledge your mistakes (and what you learned)

Show your passion (we want to work with fun people)

Don’t be a weirdo (not too much passion)

Don’t bring up money too early, but bring it up at end

6. Negotiating Salary