Architecture Social

Stephen Drew speaks with Will Ridgway about architecture recruitment, learning the industry from scratch, dealing with the pandemic, building Architecture Social, candidate behaviour and what successful job seekers do consistently.

Show Notes

Architecture recruitment should make the hiring process clearer, faster and more human.

Stephen Drew speaks with Will Ridgway about architecture recruitment, learning the industry from scratch, dealing with the pandemic, building Architecture Social, candidate behaviour and what successful job seekers do consistently.

The conversation covers:

  • How Will Ridgway learned architecture recruitment from a blank slate
  • What changed during the pandemic
  • How Architecture Social developed from the beginning
  • What strong candidates tend to do consistently
  • How job seekers can stand out without overcomplicating the process

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Architecture Recruitment Crash Course

Watch the video on YouTube: Will Ridgway on architecture recruitment

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Will Ridgway and recruitment
  • 05:00 Learning the architecture industry from scratch
  • 12:00 Joining recruitment during a changing market
  • 20:00 The pandemic and candidate behaviour
  • 28:00 Building Architecture Social from the beginning
  • 36:00 What successful candidates do consistently
  • 44:00 How to stand out in the job market
  • 52:00 Recruitment lessons for practices and candidates
  • 60:00 Final advice on architecture recruitment

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Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

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Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects.

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

Architecture Social may earn a commission if you join through our link or use the code.

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.