Four rookie mistakes architecture graduates make when writing a cover letter (and how to avoid them)

2020-07-16T12:53:00-04:00

You've just graduated architecture school and it's time to start pursuing your first job. Like most, you've probably spent a lot of time on your portfolio, and perhaps even your resume, but what about the cover letter? Are you confident you're composing this crucial component of your application package in a way that captures the attention of your prospective employer? And more importantly, you'll want to be sure you aren't doing the opposite, that you aren't destroying your chances of moving forward in the hiring process by making avoidable errors.

Of the countless young professionals I've been able to help in their job search, many make these four rookie mistakes when it comes to writing their cover letters. Let's go through them so that you can be sure you stay clear of them as you embark on the next chapter in your career. And be sure to check out Archinect's Tips on writing an effective cover letter for critical insights on composing a professional level submission.

Previously...

How to Combat Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace

2019-08-16T13:00:00-04:00

As we progress in our careers in architecture, we can sometimes come to a crossroads where we feel like we're pretending. Maybe it's that first time on a construction site by yourself, and the fear of looking foolish or not knowing what to say begins to creep up. Perhaps, you've just completed your ARE Exams and are now officially "an architect," but owning that identity seems strange, almost like you're acting. And even then, there are those who finally make it into a leadership role, as a design principal or partner of a firm, and, in the beginning, the status feels uneasy.

Designer, Megan Crabtree recounts this feeling from her early career. "[I] spent the first few years of my professional life trying to be a good pretender, trying to ignore this voice in my head that takes over and says I don’t belong," she writes. Looking back at her younger self, she offers some pointers for those struggling with "imposter syndrome:"

Never Stop Asking For Feedback. Megan remembers how she us...

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Four rookie mistakes architecture graduates make when writing a cover letter (and how to avoid them)

How to Combat Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace