Writing an Architecture CV Guide

Writing an architecture CV starts with a simple question: what does the practice need to understand quickly? Your level, relevant experience, project evidence, software and portfolio should all be clear.

A good CV does not need to sound dramatic. It needs to help the reader decide whether to open the portfolio and start a conversation.

Watch: what matters in early-career applications

This Architecture Social video is relevant because the same application basics apply when writing a clearer architecture CV.

Related audio: avoid weak CV attachment habits

This related episode adds practical advice on the small application details that can weaken a CV before anyone reads it properly.

Use a simple structure

• Name and contact details.
• Short profile tailored to the role.
• Practice experience or relevant projects.
• Education and Part I or Part II status.
• Software used in real project context.
• Portfolio link or attachment note.

Write project evidence properly

The strongest CV points usually include project type, scale, stage, responsibility and tools. This is much more useful than saying you worked on drawings, presentations or design tasks.

If you are early in your career, academic projects can still help. Explain the brief, your role, the outputs and what the project proves.

Keep the wording clean

Use plain English. Avoid long profile paragraphs, inflated adjectives and generic phrases. The CV should sound confident, but it should still be practical.

Common mistakes

• Starting with a profile that says nothing specific.
• Listing duties instead of evidence.
• Separating software from project examples.
• Hiding the portfolio link.
• Sending the same CV to every practice without changing the emphasis.

Architecture Social view

Stephen’s recruiter view is that the best CVs are easy to represent. They make the useful evidence obvious and do not force the reader to guess.

Next step

Use this with the architecture CV size guide, the architecture CV guide, live architecture jobs and the career advice call.