Your first architecture CV should make the practice understand your level, software, project evidence and availability quickly. It should not read like a generic student CV with a few architecture modules added.
The strongest early-career CV examples are simple, specific and easy to scan. They show what you can do now and give the portfolio a clear frame.
Watch: make the CV do its job
This short Architecture Social video is a useful reminder that the CV often gets opened before the portfolio, so it needs to make the reader want to continue.
Listen: Clubhouse CV and resume conversation
The Clubhouse conversation gives the original audio context behind this guide, including early-career CV mistakes and first-job application advice.
What to put near the top
- Name, location, phone, email and portfolio link.
- Current level, such as Part I, Part II, graduate or architectural assistant.
- Short profile that names your strongest evidence.
- Software skills, but only where you can use them confidently.
- Education and relevant project experience.
Example CV profile for a Part I candidate
Part I Architectural Assistant with strong academic project work across housing and community-led design. Confident in Rhino, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite and physical model-making. Looking for a London studio role where I can develop technical drawing, design communication and project teamwork skills.
Example CV profile for a Part II candidate
Part II Architectural Assistant with experience in residential-led mixed-use design, planning-stage packages and coordinated presentation work. Strong Revit, Rhino and InDesign skills, with a portfolio showing concept development, drawing production and clear project narrative.
Project evidence beats adjectives
Do not rely on words like passionate, creative and hardworking. They are fine, but they do not prove much. Replace them with evidence.
- Weak: passionate about sustainable design.
- Better: developed a retrofit studio project focused on reuse, embodied carbon and community use.
- Weak: excellent communication skills.
- Better: presented final studio project to guest critics and led group presentation boards.
Common mistakes
- Putting education before the thing that makes you useful.
- Listing every software package without evidence.
- Making the profile vague enough to fit any role.
- Forgetting location, right to work or availability.
- Sending a CV that does not match the portfolio.
Architecture Social view
Stephen’s recruiter view is that the CV should make the portfolio easier to read. If the CV says what level you are, what you can do and what evidence to look for, the portfolio lands better.
Next step
Rewrite the top half of your CV first, then check it against live Part I jobs, Part II jobs and the Architecture Social CV guide.
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