The final polish on an architecture CV is usually not a redesign. It is the small set of edits that makes the document easier to scan, easier to trust and easier to match to a role.
If the CV already has the right content, focus on clarity: availability, experience headings, project evidence, software context and a clean portfolio link.
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This Architecture Social video adds useful context before the practical guidance below.
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Prefer audio? This episode expands on the CV structure and polish points behind this guide.
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Make availability obvious
If you can start immediately, have a notice period or need a specific start date, say so clearly. Timing can influence whether a practice moves quickly or pauses the conversation.
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Related audio: CV wording
This related discussion adds practical examples of how CV wording can help or hurt an application.
You can also open the related Architecture Social podcast page.
Polish the experience section
Use headings that make sense. For some candidates, ‘Architectural Experience’ is clearer than a vague ‘Experience’ section. For others, academic projects and practice experience should be separated.
- Use role titles accurately.
- Give project type and stage where useful.
- Explain your personal contribution.
- Keep bullets short and evidence-led.
- Avoid claiming responsibility you did not have.
Add software context
Software lists are weak when they are just names. Add context where it helps. Revit for technical drawing exercises, Rhino for concept massing or InDesign for portfolio presentation tells a better story than a row of logos.
Do not polish the wrong thing
It is easy to spend hours changing fonts, margins and icons while the evidence stays unclear. The final polish should remove doubt. A cleaner profile, more precise role title or clearer project line often matters more than a new layout.
Check the portfolio link
The portfolio link should be near the top, easy to open and clearly labelled. If the link is private, broken or hidden, the CV is not finished.
Final polish checklist
- Does the first screen show level, location and portfolio link?
- Does the profile say something specific?
- Can a practice understand project experience in ten seconds?
- Are dates, qualifications and roles consistent?
- Does every important claim have supporting evidence?
A useful final example
Instead of writing ‘I have strong Revit and design skills’, make the evidence do the work: ‘Used Revit to develop drawing packages for an academic housing project, with selected plans and sections shown in the portfolio.’ It is still concise, but it gives the reader something to trust.
Common mistakes
- Changing the design before fixing unclear evidence.
- Hiding availability and practical details.
- Using a generic personal profile.
- Making the CV too dense to scan.
- Forgetting to align CV claims with the portfolio.
Architecture Social view
Stephen’s recruiter view is that a polished CV should make the candidate easier to represent. The fewer basic questions the reader has, the faster they can focus on the work.
Next step
After polishing the CV, compare it with the architecture CV guide, the portfolio guide, the salary guides and live architecture jobs.
For practical next steps, compare the architecture salary guide, browse current architecture jobs, set up architecture job alerts or contact Architecture Social for tailored advice.
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