Architect Resume Sample & Guide

Architecture is a strong, tried and true field of employment. There is a constant demand for architectural development, both at home and in the developing world, and there are is an accordingly constant stream of architectural graduates entering the job market. To stay abreast of the competition, your resume will need to demonstrate your familiarity with current technology and trends, and in general be as solid as your most recent project.

Architect Resume Sample

Summary

Diverse Architect with over 20 years’ experience able to marry new architectural styles with traditional ones. Adept at utilizing basic and complex power tools and design abilities to meet client needs, specifications, and working with clients to develop a realistic design for their budgets. Specializes in restoration, renovation, adaptive reuse, residential, commercial, and governmental projects.

Work Experience

Senior Architect
State Of California – Sacramento, CA
December 2010 to Present 

• Responsible for reviewing and evaluating submitted construction documents to ensure that mandatory accessible design is incorporated into public buildings in compliance with the California Building Code (CBC) and departmental policies.
• Effectively communicate, and maintain working relationships with attorneys, architects, designers, contractors, building inspectors, and the general public.
• Resolved complaints and provided dispute resolution assistance. 
• Researching codes, regulations, technical books, and product literature to verify compliance of construction and associated materials and methods as related to accessible design.
• Recommend to architects and engineers the necessary document revisions required to obtain compliance with building code accessibility provisions.
• Prepare written correspondence reports relating to corrections and deficiencies in submitted documents.

Senior Architect Supervisor
State Of California – Sacramento, CA
January 2003 to November 2010

• Supervised a staff of three including an Associate Architect, an Associate Governmental Program Analyst, and an Architectural Associate. 
• Responsible for primary technical and legal interaction with United States Department of Justice attorneys in order to obtain Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) certification for the CBC.
• Provided technical assistance and interpretations related to public accommodations in the CBC (ADA Title III) for attorneys, architects, designers, contractors, building inspectors, and the general public (2,000 calls per year). 
• Developed recommendations on accessibility related to policy and regulatory development.
• Participated in DSA advisory board meetings and public accessibility committee meetings.
• Provided accessibility training to large groups statewide on a regular basis.
• Provided oral presentations and delivered speeches at public speaking engagements at the request of the California State Architect. 
• Regularly met with accessibility advocacy groups and individuals regarding the advancement of accessible design proposals.

Associate Architect
State Of California – Sacramento, CA
June 2001 to December 2002 

• Provided technical assistance to the general public, attorneys, architects, building department personnel, and internal DSA staff on access compliance issues (2,000 calls per year).
• Worked in the development of recommendations on accessibility, including proposed regulatory changes.
• Provided assistance on DSA interpretations and policy statements.
• Served DSA regional offices with technical assistance regarding the CBC, policy and interpretations.
• Analysis and the research of regulatory language, including the ADA and related United States Department of Justice technical assistance manuals.
• Assisted ADA II title entities with the development and implementation of ADA transition plans. 

Building Plans Examiner
City Of Roseville – Roseville, CA
September 1998 to July 2000

• Responsible for reviewing and evaluating submitted construction documents, to ensure compliance with governing building codes, and state regulations.
• Assisted the above with information regarding the building code, design requirements, regulations and procedures.
• Researched codes, regulations, product literature, and construction bulletins to verify compliance of construction.
• Recommended necessary revisions to obtain compliance with fire/life safety, means of egress, accessibility, and other building code provisions. 
• Provided project coordination between city departments and outside agencies.

Education

Associate in Technology / Architecture
Phoenix Institute of Technology – Phoenix, AZ

Skills

• Public / Civil Service
• Building Code Compliance
• Plan Review
• ADA / Accessibility Compliance
• Architectural As-built Surveys
• Technical Writing
• CA Licensed Architect

Certifications and Licenses

California Licensed Architect
#C-18596

Certified Plans Examiner (Fmr. ICBO)
#2199066-45

Architect Resume Tips

Build Your Resume With Care

The work of an architect requires accuracy, minute attention to detail, and careful implementation. These qualities should come through in your resume. As the first—and potentially only—thing a prospective employer will see, your resume must serve as a solid foundation. Take extra care when scanning for typos and errors in punctuation to avoid coming across as careless. You are likely applying to a position which will have you responsible for huge amounts of money and resources; you want to come off as a consummate professional right from the start.

Target The Specific Job

A variety of skills may be applicable on any given job or project. Be sure to carefully read the job description and gear your resume toward that particular position. Keep an eye out for keywords—like collaborate, communicate, analytical, organization, time-management, coordinate—or reference to specific technologies, and be sure to have those reflected in your resume.

Note Your Skills

Once you’ve identified the skills relevant to the position, list those and any other personal assets that you could bring to the position. There are many ways to list your skills on a resume. One approach would be to have a separate “Skills” section situated toward the top, wherein you outline your most valuable and relevant skills in concise bullet points.

With the global trend toward environmentally-responsible development, there is now particular demand for architects familiar with sustainable design, or “green” design. If you have experience with the efficient employment of resources, or any other “green” concerns, these skills will likely make your resume stand out amongst the competition.

The work of architects is becoming increasingly dependent on computer programs and technology. If you have sufficient skills, you may want to consider a separate “Technology Skills” section to exhibit them.

Primary Skills:

• Technical design
• Leadership
• Effective communication
• Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite, ARES Commander, TurboCAD Pro, and various other CAD software.

List Your Professional Experience

Now take all of those skills and contextualize them within your work experience. A “Professional Experience” section not only provides your work history, but also provides the opportunity to be specific about your skills. Be sure that those relevant skills appear in the description of your duties below your previous jobs. If you have completed an internship, include it along with your job experience. List all relevant experience beginning with the most recent.

Assistant Architect, Four Wall Architecture, Phoenix, Arizona. March 2014-present.

• Assist lead architects in the coordination and implementation of designs
• Communicate with construction teams and clients
• Mentor less experienced employees

Flaunt Your Projects

Depending on the breadth of your experience, consider including a “Projects” sections in your resume. This section could supplement your “Professional Experience,” highlighting your most noteworthy projects and providing you with extra space to ground your skills in real experience. Architecture is largely a numbers game, so it would not be inappropriate to list project budget, square-footage, etc, in order to demonstrate the scale of your experience.

Poet’s Theatre – Detroit, Michigan, 2016.

4-storey theatre. 40,000 sq. ft., $8 million.

• Collaborated with others to design solutions for code compliance issues.
• Worked as liaison between project leaders and construction teams.

Outline Your Education And Training

A bachelor’s degree in architecture is typically the minimum for any position in the field, and failing to note yours on a resume will almost surely result in a disqualification. Include your bachelor’s degree, and any further degrees you may have, in an “Education” section toward the bottom of your resume. Include the title, institution, and year of completion. If you are in the process of studying for a degree, include the projected year of completion.

Bachelor of Architecture – 2012. California State University, Los Angeles, California

If you have become licensed as an architect, or hold an NCARB certification or any other relevant license or certification, be sure to include it in a separate “License and Certifications” sections. Include the relevant organization and date.

NCARB Certificate – 2016. California Architects Board

Architect Job Description

Architects are primarily involved in the planning and design stages of buildings and other structures. An architect’s project may be anything from a restaurant interior or a piece of public art, to an apartment or hospital complex.

Traditionally, an architect’s main duties are to devise structure specifications and prepare scaled drawings and plans, often with the help of computer software. Additionally, architects may enter at the very start of a project, meeting with clients to discuss proposals, objectives, timelines, costs, etc, and they may stay on until construction is complete and structural and safety tests are passed. They may also be involved in logistics, such as acquiring construction bids and supervising construction.

Architect Earnings and Outlook

Architects are educated professionals who perform highly-skilled labor, and their earnings are suitably high. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020, the median annual wage for architects in the United States was $82,320. There is plenty of opportunity for architects to earn six-figure salaries, as the top-earning 10% of professionals in the field were clearing $136,310 annually. Real estate development is expected to continue at current rates, meaning architecture should remain a solid and reliable field of employment in coming years.

Architect Training And Qualifications

A post-secondary education is essential for a career in architecture. There is expected to be heavy competition for jobs and internships in the field, and even if a bachelor’s degree is not a stated requirement, priority will likely be given to applicants who have one. Most Bachelor of Architecture programs require no previous experience in the field and can be completed over five years. Many prospective architects will also wish to pursue a master’s degree in architecture to improve job prospects and chance of advancement.

In addition to post-secondary education, new architects are required to complete a paid internship, typically with an architectural firm. Once they have completed this mandatory training period, candidates can take the Architect Registration Examination and obtain their license. Further certifications, such as the NCARB certificate, may then be pursued.