Image from Spaces Architects@ka

There is no doubt that the architecture and design industry is booming. With new buildings and other projects popping up all over the country, the demand for talent is higher than ever. However, with a large percentage of the workforce leaving the industry during the pandemic, there is a significant gap in the supply of qualified workers.

The shortage has created a fierce hiring war, as companies are fighting to find and retain the best talent. With so many job openings and high demand, architects and designers can be picky about where they work. So, how can you make your firm stand out from the rest? 

Here are a few tips: 

- Offer competitive salaries and benefits.

- Provide opportunities for career growth.

- Offer a flexible work environment.

- supplement full-time with short-term staff to reduce work hours

- Thoughtfully designed workspace & brand 

- Have a strong company culture 

By offering competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for career growth, you will be able to attract the best talent to your firm. Additionally, having a solid company culture will help you retain that talent. So, make sure you are prepared to fight for the right talent!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After working at various design practices on a full-time and freelance basis and starting his design firm, David McFadden saw a gap to fill in the industry. In 1984, he created an expansive hub for architects and hiring firms to sync up, complete projects, and mutually benefit. That hub was Consulting For Architects Inc., which enabled architects to find meaningful design work while freeing hiring firms from tedious hiring-firing cycles. This departure from the traditional, more rigid style of employer-employee relations was just what the industry needed - flexibility and adaption to current work circumstances. David has successfully advised his clients and staff through the trials and tribulations of four recessions – the early ’80s, the early ’90s, the early 2000s, the Great Recession of 2007, and the Pandemic.