Sep '11 - Jan '13
(source)
With the design-build project that I’ve been working on coming to a close and my portfolio off to the printer for a test print I thought I’d write about something I’ve been meaning to write about for a while now, job search strategery. As a disclaimer I’ll say that I have no idea how well this works, or doesn’t work. This is just my take on the job search strategies I’ve run across on firm websites, blog posts, and archinect forums.* I’ll explain myself briefly, but feel free to leave a comment or ask a question if you'd like clarification. Take note that this isn't everything in my strategy; I've got to keep at least one ace up my sleeve.
First of all, I haven’t got much to rely on in the way of networking so most of the time when I walk into a firm’s offices it will be their first impression of me. It should also be noted that I’m looking for work in a local economy that doesn’t support many architecture firms so I won’t get many chances to make good first impressions before I run out of firms to impress. So with that in mind my strategy comes down to three important parts.
Additionally, I have other materials to bring to an interview. Perhaps the most important is a half-sized set of construction documents I did for a design-“build” studio (build is in quotations because the project never got enough funding). I say this is perhaps the most important because while I’d like to think that I will be hired because of my jaw-dropping portfolio, the truth is a potential employer will probably care more to see that I can draw a legible detail in AutoCAD.
Anyway, like I stated at the beginning, I have no idea of the effectiveness of this strategy but I think it's important to have some sort of plan going out there. Expect at least one follow-up post on how the strategy works.
*More information
Commentary on looking for work, portfolio and resume design, networking, social media and the job search, interviews, dealing with rejection and the joy of landing a job.
7 Comments
I somehow overlooked another resource/source of more information. Archinect's own series of feature articles on finding work for recent grads
Architecture and Design Graduates – How to Secure Your First Position – Part 1
Architecture and Design Graduates – How to Secure Your First Position – Part 2
Architecture and Design Graduates – How to Secure Your First Position – Part 3
Great post Brian! Here's a couple other Archinect features that can help job seekers:
Hi Brian
Thanks heaps for your post and the additional links you provided! Really helpful as I too am beginning *the* quest.
brian -
thanks for pulling all this together. it's a pretty comprehensive list in terms of having enough information to evaluate someone.
a few thoughts from someone on the 'other side of the table': first, networking is key. not just in a 'hey i met you at an aia event' sort of way, but in developing contacts throughout everything you do (including archinect!). connections are going to be what really gets you that inside knowledge that counts - is a firm hiring? what are they doing right now? who do i contact? etc.
i think the follow up companion to this piece is the following: what is going through the employers mind when hiring? because, in the end, you want all that information to mean something to the other person, not just be a reflection of yourself. one easy thing i can say from my end now: if we're hiring, we have some kind of specific need. the best of us will be evaluating people as long-term hires - what can they contribute or bring that will help us down the line, etc - but there's plenty of people who just need someone who can do 'x' that's on their immediate radar.
last comment for now: all of this is probably secondary to what kind of impression you make on someone when you meet them face to face. in fact, it is secondary. so, don't neglect that aspect of your preparations either...
greg
MilkandBread, good luck with the search. Glad you found this helpful. Here's a followup to Build's "Guide for resumes" and "How to *really* get hired..."
How to *Really* Get Hired at an Architecture Firm (Part II)
Greg, thanks for the comments. It's good to hear about the process from the "other side of the table." You're right about making a good impression face to face. One of the people in on my interview told me later that they barely look at someone's portfolio when evaluating them. They are good for some eye candy but he would rather hire someone who has a personality that will fit in with the firm's and be able to hold their own in meetings etc. For him, the interview is much more important than what's sitting on the table as far as portfolio/resume goes.
Also, as promised ... here is the follow-up to this post;
Job Search Follow-Up
As requested on another one of my posts, I've uploaded a version of my teaser portfolio if you want to see an example. You can also find my portfolio there on issuu.com as well.
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