Part I Assistant CV and Portfolio Edits

Part I assistant CV and portfolio edits should make the application simpler, not more complicated. The goal is clarity: who you are, what you have done, what you can show and what role you are applying for.

If the CV and portfolio feel busy, the strongest evidence can get lost.

Watch: getting your CV in front of more studios

This Architecture Social video is useful for Part I candidates who need their CV and portfolio to reach more relevant practices.

Start with a quick audit

Open the CV and portfolio side by side. Ask whether the same story appears in both documents.

• Does the CV explain your level clearly?
• Does the portfolio prove the skills you list?
• Are project names consistent?
• Is your role on each project obvious?
• Can someone open the portfolio quickly?

Related audio: CVs and resumes for first architecture jobs

This related episode adds more early-career advice on CVs, resumes and how to present limited experience clearly.

You can also open the related Architecture Social podcast page.

Edit the CV first

The CV should guide the reader towards the portfolio evidence. Keep bullets specific and short. Mention project type, software and responsibility where it helps.

Remove vague phrases such as hard-working, creative and passionate if they are not backed up by evidence.

Then tighten the portfolio

• Move the strongest relevant project forward.
• Cut repeated pages.
• Use captions to explain context.
• Keep drawings readable on screen.
• Save a fuller version for interviews.

Common mistakes

• Using the CV as a design experiment.
• Showing every academic page instead of selecting evidence.
• Forgetting to say what was individual work.
• Making the sample portfolio too large.
• Applying before checking links and file names.

Architecture Social view

Stephen’s recruiter view is that junior applications do not need to be perfect, but they do need to be clear. A practice should be able to understand your level and evidence quickly.

Next step

Review your first page, then compare your application with the Part I guide, the CV guide, the sample portfolio guide and live Part I jobs.