An Architectural Assistant CV should make your level, experience, education, software and portfolio easy to understand. It should not make the practice decode your entire career before they can decide whether to open your portfolio.
The best CVs are usually clear before they are clever. Design matters, but only if it helps the reader scan quickly.
Watch: what makes a good architecture CV?
This related video is directly relevant because your CV is often opened before your portfolio and needs to make the reviewer want to continue.
Listen: related Architecture Social podcast
The podcast goes deeper into CV basics, portfolio links, software evidence and the mistakes that slow candidates down.
You can also open the Architecture Social podcast page for this episode.
Start with the basics
- Name, email, phone number and location.
- Portfolio link that opens cleanly without a login.
- Right to work or visa context if it is relevant.
- Current level: Part I, Part II, Architectural Assistant or similar.
- Availability or notice period if useful.
Write a short profile
Your profile should be two or three lines. Say your level, strongest evidence and what you are looking for. Avoid big claims such as passionate, dynamic or highly creative unless the rest of the CV proves it.
A stronger profile might say: Part II Architectural Assistant with experience across early-stage residential and mixed-use projects, confident in Revit, Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite, looking to develop design and delivery experience in a London practice.
Show education clearly
For Architectural Assistant roles, education matters. List your Part I, Part II, masters, undergraduate degree or relevant course clearly, with institution and dates. Add awards, exhibitions or standout studio themes only where they strengthen the application.
Explain project experience with evidence
Do not write assisted on various projects and stop there. Explain what you actually did. Practices want to know whether you touched concept design, planning drawings, Revit modelling, technical details, presentations, site research, client packs or coordination work.
- Weak: worked on residential projects.
- Better: supported planning drawings and presentation material for a residential scheme, including plan updates, diagrams and precedent research.
- Weak: good Revit skills.
- Better: used Revit to update sheets, amend model elements and export drawing packages during a six month placement.
Connect the CV to your portfolio
Your CV and portfolio should support each other. If the CV says you have workplace, residential or BIM experience, the portfolio should show relevant evidence. If the portfolio shows a project, the CV should help the reader understand your role.
Do not bury the portfolio link in tiny text. Put it near your contact details and test it before every application.
Software skills need context
A software list is useful, but context is better. Instead of rating yourself 8 out of 10 in Revit, explain how you used it. Did you model, draw, coordinate, export, detail or visualise? That tells the practice more than a number.
Common mistakes
- Making the CV too graphic to read quickly.
- Hiding dates, locations or role levels.
- Using architect as a title when you are not ARB-registered.
- Listing every software package without saying how you used it.
- Sending a portfolio link that is broken, private or too slow to open.
- Using the same CV for every role without adjusting the evidence.
Architecture Social view
Stephen Drew is the founder of Architecture Social, a recruiter and industry voice with a Part II background. His view is simple: a good Architectural Assistant CV reduces doubt. It helps a busy reviewer understand your level and decide whether your portfolio is worth opening.
Use this guide with our broader architecture CV guide, the Part II CV and portfolio guide and live Part I Architectural Assistant jobs.
Next step
Update your CV, then check whether the portfolio proves the same story. If you want direct feedback, book a Power Hour career coaching session.
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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