Architecture Social

Stephen Drew discusses how to get your first architecture job with a focus on CVs and resumes, including what to include, what to avoid, how to present experience and how early-career candidates can make applications clearer.

Show Notes

A first architecture CV needs to be clear, relevant and easy to scan. It should support the portfolio, not fight with it.

Stephen Drew discusses how to get your first architecture job with a focus on CVs and resumes, including what to include, what to avoid, how to present experience and how early-career candidates can make applications clearer.

The conversation covers:

  • What a first architecture CV should do
  • Which common CV mistakes candidates should avoid
  • How to present education, experience and skills
  • Why the CV and portfolio need to work together
  • How to tailor applications for different practices

____

đź“ť Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/first-architecture-job-cv-examples/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

____

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to CVs and resumes for first architecture jobs
  • 05:00 Why a CV still matters
  • 10:00 Common CV mistakes to avoid
  • 15:00 What to include as a student or graduate
  • 20:00 Presenting education, experience and skills
  • 25:00 Making your CV clear for architecture practices
  • 30:00 How to pair your CV with a portfolio
  • 35:00 Tailoring your CV for specific applications
  • 40:00 International perspectives and design studio experience
  • 45:00 Feedback from the Clubhouse room
  • 50:00 Practical advice for improving your CV
  • 55:00 Final thoughts on first job applications

Creators and Guests

Host
Stephen Drew
Hello! I’m Stephen Drew, Founder of the Architecture Social—an online community and resource hub dedicated to helping professionals in Architecture, Design, Development, and Real Estate advance their careers. I’m here to connect you with insights, tools, and opportunities that lead to meaningful growth, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take that next big step.

What is Architecture Social?

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom.

Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business.

Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession.

No fluff, just the reality of practice.