In this LinkedIn Live Job Search Masterclass, I expore why strong candidates can still be overlooked, and how architects, interior designers, landscape architects, urban designers and masterplanners can make their experience clearer, more compelling and better aligned with the roles they genuinely want.
Watch the full masterclass here:
Start with direction
One of the biggest barriers in a job search is applying for positions that do not reflect what you really enjoy, what you are strongest at, or where you want your career to go. A technically minded designer, for example, may be far better suited to detailed design, delivery and construction-focused positions than a concept-led interior-design role.
Before applying, take stock of the work that gives you energy: are you drawn to early-stage concepts, client briefing, materiality and storytelling…or technical packages, coordination, drawing production and site delivery? Your CV, portfolio and applications should make that direction immediately clear.
Treat your CV as evidence
This may be an obvious statement to make, or so you may think!
A short CV may be easy to “scan” but it’s also way too limited to demonstrate the depth of an architectural or design professional past graduate stage. Recruiters and hiring managers do skim CVs initially however, when a profile stands out and is relevant to the position, they need enough detail to understand project types, scale, duties, responsibilities, software, seniority and contribution…. just to name a few areas! Certainly from AE Recruitment’s perspective the list goes on, depending on the job and the client we’re recruiting for. We’ll also consciously or subconsciously be looking for similar thought process, attributes and language, to that of our client/company we’re recruiting for. After all, we’re not here to just put a “bum on a seat”, we’re here to assist in building successful teams and businesses!
Rather than relying on broad job titles or generic descriptions, show what you actually do and express the same sensory language you would use naturally to describe your involvement. Include the project sectors, stages you have been involved in, your role within the team, design and/or technical responsibilities, issues faced, how you resolved them, facts, figures, passions, personality…..
Beyond the extremely important content, you do need to make sure your CV is readable by a “parser” system. ATS has been wrongly used for years, look up “daxtra” on YouTube to learn more and you’ll realise how old this technology is, how much you’ve been misled and how long for!
A simple practical check, to make sure an ATS/CRM can read and transpose the information into a Recruitment Consultant’s searchable database fields is to copy all the text from your CV into a plain-text document: if the text copies across in the wrong order or is missing, the document may not be parsing as intended. This will result with the parser software miscalculating your years of experience, expertise and at worst case, not being able to read your CV at all…. this is where you fall into the “blackhole”.
What is the main reason CVs fall into the “blackhole”? The No1 reason is the online templates that you all have been told will solve your “ghosting” issues… yes, we know, it’s bad but how are you going to convince the world of the nonsense they’ve been fed for so long?!
Your Portfolio is your lottery ticket
A portfolio isn’t a dumping ground of random images. We need context and an explanation of why we’re viewing what we’re viewing and the message you are trying to convey.
You’re all in the design industry, you’ve been to university, produced a thesis and have gone through years of education to get to this point. Those years and skills were not wasted, they’ve got you to where you are right this second… let’s keep going!!
Use your educational background to help us understand:
- The original brief and intended user experience.
- Personal role and level of responsibility.
- Design process and thinking behind key decisions.
- Involvement from beginning to end.
- Challenges or constraints and how these were resolved.
In writing this article I’ve had an “AHA” moment!
I get a lot of flack at times because job seekers assume that finding a member of staff for a client of ours is a “tickbox exercise” and in writing this article I understand why you think it may be that way, as I do create lists for you, so i’ll explain this as best I can…
If tomorrow morning, a candidate sent their CV and Portfolio over to me and their documents were written, like I’m talking to you now, and I understood who they were, their skills, what they’re about and where they’re heading….. zero question, they’re details are being sent to all my best clients!!!
They are so few and far between though!
That’s why the AE Masterclasses exist, so that we can reach as many people in the architectural and design industry as possible.
Check viewer access to your portfolio before submitting
Finding suitable candidates for a job isn’t a quick process. Again, we have built the AE Recruitment Candidate Portal so candidates are prepared and ready to submit their profiles BEFORE they apply to jobs.
One of the reasons that candidates applications get held up is that we can’t access your portfolio straight away. If our recruiters cannot open your portfolio, they cannot properly assess your work. So ensure that your portfolio URL is included in your CV and application profile, then test it in an incognito or private browser window before you apply.
This mimics what a recruiter or hiring manager sees when they are not logged into your personal Google Drive, Adobe portfolio, website or cloud-storage account. Removing simple access barriers can prevent unnecessary delays in the hiring process.
Keep your brand aligned
Your CV, portfolio and LinkedIn profile should all tell the same professional story. If your CV says you are an interior designer but your portfolio only contains 3D visuals, or your LinkedIn profile tells a different story to your CV and Portfolio, employers may struggle to understand your true position in the market.
A consistent personal brand makes it easier for recruiters to identify relevant opportunities and for hiring managers to picture you within their team. Use your own natural voice too: overly generic or AI-written wording can remove the personality and credibility that helps you stand out.
Be intentional early on
You do not need to have every stage of your career mapped out. Being intentional means becoming curious about possible directions, researching people and practices you admire, and identifying the skills or experience that may help you move closer to your goals.
To make it easier for you, look at the career paths of architects and designers whose work inspires you. Explore the software, project sectors, design stages and types of practice associated with the work you want to do. Then use each role, project and learning opportunity to test what feels right for you.
Get more from your job search
Applying to every available job is rarely the most effective route to a better career. A more focused approach, built around a strong, detailed CV, a narrative-led portfolio, an authentic LinkedIn presence and a clear understanding of what you want can make your search more productive and more enjoyable.
AE Recruitment supports architects and design professionals pursuing opportunities across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. If you need practical support, register with AE Recruitment to access the free CV guide and templates, explore the AE masterclasses, or book a one-to-one CV or portfolio review.
