Seven years ago, in the grips of recession, finding employment in architecture was akin to a treasure hunt: there were cryptic clues scattered across a wide geographical area, but for many actually finding the job was simply too time-consuming and difficult. Recent graduates threw up their hands and sought work in other fields; experienced architects, freshly chucked out of their jobs by large firms rapidly downsizing to accommodate the 2008 economic crash, found themselves taking up teaching or other gap-filling work.

Many architects bravely started their own firms amid the turmoil or moved to other countries, like China, where a construction boom was underway. For a generation of architects, the scope and seeming swiftness of the 2008 recession created a permanent impression of a scarce job market. However, now the job boards are stuffed with new postings. In fact, the demand for employees is so high that many postings go unfilled for months at a time: savvy applicants can often peruse much older listings to find the perfect match. As David Katz of Katz Architecture noted recently, the job market is so tight in New York that even the headhunters are having a hard time. It’s officially time to embrace the reality of 2015: full-time positions in architecture are plentiful.

If you’re actively seeking work and you can’t find a position, odds are your imagination of what constitutes a job in architecture may be holding you back. The AIA estimates that there are over 600 different careers within architecture, many of which stem from increased interstices between technology (especially 3D graphic modeling and printing) and emphasis on sustainability and other so-called green practices. However, if you’ve been actively participating in the 21st century thus far, you won’t find the changes mind-blowing: you will simply need to take into consideration these fresh realities of the job market.

So why aren't you hired?

1. Generally Speaking, It’s Personal

Each application should be tailored to that particular employer as a reflection of not only who you are and what you do, but who they are and what they do. Both employers and employees now expect to not only openly discuss their work specialization but also their preferred method of working. Applying blindly to a range of firms with a fixed resume is like reading a prepared statement to every single person you encounter in a day. You would not have the exact same conversation with your spouse as you would with a clerk at the DMV (unless, of course, you’re just lucky that way); you would differentiate your choice of topics and your method of address to suit the occasion. So it is with writing CVs, assembling portfolios, and finding firms that are seeking employees. An architectural job search is not a prepared speech; it's a conversation.An architectural job search is not a prepared speech; it's a conversation.

2. Your Technological Etiquette is Lacking

Finding people and job openings isn’t difficult; finding the right person for the right opening is. While speed of response is still a factor, content trumps slapdash boilerplate presentation. Also, technological missteps convey their own detrimental etiquette. If the job listing says “attach PDFs no larger than 5MB” don’t laugh it off. There’s a reason for these specific instructions. If you don’t follow them you’ll appear illiterate, and your application may be dismissed out of hand for that single (seemingly minor) error. your carefully considered and articulate response will beat out the slew of hasty replies that any posting invariably generates.Take the time to read and understand what the employers are asking for; your carefully considered and articulate response will beat out the slew of hasty replies that any posting invariably generates. Also, if a firm has a website, do yourself a favor and study it thoroughly. Often, everything you need to know about the working environment, from the studio culture to the types of projects they undertake to their underlying philosophy, will be evident from how they structure their website. Don’t walk into an interview without understanding who does what, especially if each principal’s bio is displayed prominently on the firm's website.

3. You Haven’t Grasped Hybridization and the Size of Firms

The collaborative nature of architecture means that you’ll rarely be serving only one function in a workplace. If your strength is in AutoCAD or physical modeling, you can certainly expect that it will be utilized, but you’ll likely be asked to research materials, help prepare for presentations, and keep abreast of the development of other projects. This is especially true for smaller offices. Larger firms tend to have enough work to keep you busy on only one project or particular task, but offices with twenty people or less will usually ask you to take on additional roles, including interaction with city officials, vendors, and clients as your position dictates. Ask yourself before you apply what kind of role you’re comfortable with, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. If you love interacting with people and getting involved with complex off-site challenges, you may want to seek a smaller firm; likewise, if you prefer to concentrate on detail work for hours at a time, a larger firm may suit your needs perfectly.

4. You Have an Outdated Portfolio

That rendering was cool in 2007, right? But not so much anymore. Make sure your portfolio reflects or at least shows awareness of current graphic design trends and standards. If an image looks obviously outdated or clunky to you, it will have that same appearance to a potential employer. Don’t imagine that your charming personality will compensate for gaps in basic technological know-how. If you’re rusty or unsure of how to create imagery and presentation materials that meet current standards, invest in a refresher course. If you’re serious about remaining in the field, you’ll need to continue your education.

5. You’re Not Using Your Contacts

Although it may feel awkward to ask that acquaintance you struck up a conversation with at the design expo to put in a good word for you at their firm, there’s absolutely no harm in it. Networking is a giant part of any profession, but especially so in architecture. If you have specialized skills or experience, don’t be afraid to remind your contact about them. The worst case scenario is being told politely that “my firm is not hiring at this time” while the best case scenario is “can you start tomorrow?” Even in an instance when the firm isn’t hiring, don’t be afraid to ask for an informational interview to get a feel for what they do look for in an employee. Circumstances can change quickly.​Keep showing interest until a response is given.

6. You’re Not Persistent Enough

Persistence is hardly a product of the 21st century, but staying focused on your goals will often significantly aid in your getting hired. Apply to each job with the intent of securing it, but also don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away, or at all. The heartbreak of the unreturned email is hardly personal: often, a firm is simply overwhelmed with responses. Unless they explicitly forbid it, don’t be afraid to send a polite follow-up email confirming receipt of your materials if you haven’t heard anything within a week. It’s always a good idea to demonstrate in these follow-ups how you as an applicant offer something unique to the job opening. Keep showing interest until a response is given. The trick is to continue applying to other opportunities at a steady pace. If you continue your search with all this in mind, you’ll get hired (and perhaps have to field multiple offers).

Here's a quick guide on how to Save Your Job Searches.

For up-to-the-minute job listings, please visit Archinect's job board, and keep an eye out for future installments of the "EMPLOY(ED)" series. We'll be exploring all aspects of employment, from managerial concerns to portfolio tips to the day-to-day studio culture of some of the world's largest firms.