A clearer route from job advert to application
A job advert asks someone to invest time in a possible move. It should give them enough information to decide whether it is worth applying.
For our first briefing, we have looked back at three closed community polls and a practical lesson from the podcast archive. They give us useful starting points for clearer adverts, working arrangements and applications.
01 / The role and salary
Make the experience requirements realistic
In our company-page poll on 9 October 2025, 96 of 214 respondents (44.9%) chose unrealistic experience requirements as the biggest red flag in an architecture job advert. A further 77 (36.0%) chose a missing salary. See the poll.
Our recommendation: separate the experience someone needs on day one from the skills they can develop in the role. Include the salary range so people can decide whether a conversation makes sense.
The poll
- Unrealistic experience needed45%96 of 214 votes
- No salary listed36%77 of 214 votes
- “Fast-paced environment”11%24 of 214 votes
- Vague job description8%17 of 214 votes
02 / The working pattern
Explain what hybrid means in practice
In our company-page poll on 4 February 2026, the two leading choices were being able to choose office days, with 39 of 105 votes (37.1%), and having clear rules, with 37 votes (35.2%). See the poll.
A useful advert should explain the expected office days, any fixed team days and how changes are agreed. Candidates can then ask specific questions about whether the arrangement fits their work and circumstances.
The poll
- Choose my own office days37%39 of 105 votes
- Clear rules, no grey areas35%37 of 105 votes
- Proper WFH kit paid for15%16 of 105 votes
- No emails after work hours12%13 of 105 votes
03 / What applicants send
Be clear about the portfolio you want
In Stephen Drew's poll on 26 January 2026, 191 of 372 respondents chose sending a PDF only, while 133 chose sending both a PDF and a website. Together, those answers accounted for 324 votes (87.1%). See the poll.
For practices, state the preferred format and file-size limit. For applicants, follow those instructions and make the relevant work easy to find. A website can provide extra depth where it is welcome.
The poll
- Sending a PDF file only51%191 of 372 votes
- Sending both PDF and website36%133 of 372 votes
- Sending a website link instead13%48 of 372 votes
From the podcast
Start with a focused sample
In How to Land Your First Architect Role, published on 17 March 2026, Stephen explains the difference between a sample portfolio for an application and the fuller material someone can discuss at interview. His advice is to select the strongest work rather than send everything from the course. Listen from 20:14.
For an early-career application, a focused sample gives the conversation somewhere to start. A hiring team can help by explaining which skills or project experience it wants that sample to demonstrate.
20:14
Listen from 20:14Before your next advert or application, check whether the salary, working arrangement and portfolio instructions are clear. Those are useful details to settle before either side commits more time.
About the evidence: these are archived, voluntary LinkedIn poll responses from October 2025 to February 2026, not an October 2026 survey or a representative industry sample. The company and personal polls have separate audiences; votes have not been pooled. The actions above are Architecture Social's recommendations, not measured hiring outcomes.
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Discussion
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