Architecture CV Example and Writing Tips

Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.

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How to write a standout architecture CV

Architects are always in demand for their ability to bring projects to life and oversee the completion of new buildings.

However, if you want a job in the architectural industry, you’ll need a creative architecture CV displaying your relevant qualifications, experience, and design skills.

Here’s how to write a CV that’ll help your applications stand out from the others in the employer’s inbox.

1. Choose a professional architecture CV design

Architecture is an incredibly creative field, and your odds of getting hired are vastly improved when you can demonstrate your creativity to employers. As your CV is the first thing employers see, it can be a great way to highlight your originality and style.

However, it’s important to ensure that your CV remains highly professional. Using a CV template that departs from traditional conventions can be a bit risky. But we’ve put together a checklist to help you make a creative CV that strikes the right balance.

Architecture CV design checklist

When you design your architecture CV, make sure of the following:

Name and contact information are clear and legible.

Your CV includes elements that add visual interest.

Fonts are easy-to-read.

Design elements and sections on the page are balanced.

White space is well-used.

Elements like graphs are relevant and informative.

Your CV includes all necessary details about your professional experience.

Any colours on your CV are not overwhelming or distracting.

2. Craft a great architecture CV personal statement

Start your architecture CV with a convincing personal statement that quickly and effectively shows your past experience, specialities, and ambitions.

Ensure you detail your experience, qualifications, and skills in your CV personal statement. For example, talk about the:

• types of buildings you’ve worked on, whether they’re residential, commercial, etc.
• your architecture qualifications (ARB, RIBA, etc.)
• your key architectural technical skills (such as architecture software, project management, knowledge of building regulations, and drafting/drawing blueprint skills)

Our architecture CV example already includes a personal statement for an architect with experience, but what if you’ve just graduated from university and are looking for your first position?

Below, we’ve included an additional personal statement more suitable for a novice architect:

Notice how the above personal statement informs the employer that although this candidate lacks experience, they’d be an asset at Drumhall Inc because they’re ARB certified and motivated to start their career.

3. Highlight your architecture experience

The blueprints architects are required to draw up and design are software-intensive. Employers will want to know that you have experience using such programs.

Additionally, you should showcase any experience conducting safety checks and communicating with suppliers, stakeholders, and even local council officers about project development and progression.

To show employers that you have the right experience, you should include detailed work experience on your CV that highlights your ability to use architecture software, adhere to safety precautions, and communicate effectively.

Here are some examples of how to write a work experience section on your architect CV:

Notice how the above bullet points convey that this architect has experience designing blueprints, using several architect 3D rendering software programs, communicating and presenting to stakeholders, and taking safety precautions seriously.

4. Showcase your architecture-related skills

In the architectural field, specific key skills are in high demand. These skills include visionary and designing skills, advanced maths skills, business knowledge, the ability to use specific software programs, and knowledge of building and developmental regulations.

Thomas Rowntree breaks down the five key skills an architect needs:

If you want to secure a job at a respectable architecture firm, then you’ll need to have a strong skills section with at least a few of these hard and soft skills listed on your architect CV:

If you include several of these key hard and soft skills, you’ll be sure to impress employers with your architecture CV.

5. Back up your qualifications with an architecture cover letter

Writing an architecture cover letter helps give valuable context to your CV, allowing you to explain why you’d be a great fit for the job.

A strong cover letter has the following features:

• Concise writing (around 250–400 words)
• Details outlining the strengths you’d bring to the role
• Specific examples of your relevant responsibilities and achievements
• A reason why you want to work for the specific employer

Here’s a cover letter example that shows you what a great architecture cover letter looks like when its ready to send off to the employer.  If you want to create your own letter in no time at all, you can create something unique and tailored to the position by using an online cover letter builder.

Architecture job outlook in 2025 — things to know

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), architects in the UK earn an average annual salary of £44,315.

You can find information about the gender pay gap for architects on the ONS’ website.

The ONS also notes that this role faces a skills shortage, with 47.86% of employers reporting difficulties filling similar vacancies.

To strengthen your CV for an architecture role, highlight these key qualifications and licences:

• MRICS
• RIBA
• IHBC Membership
• IAM

If you’re missing any of these qualifications, consider enrolling in a course, training programme, or work-based learning scheme to boost your profile.

Data source: The Office for National Statistics, an agency of His Majesty’s Government. The information contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 and reflects the ONS’s most recent salary (1/11/2023), gender pay gap (4/2023), and skills shortage data (6/2022).

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