How to Master an Architecture & Design Interview
Enter into an interview knowing you want to learn and expand your knowledge within the field. Not only will this speak volumes about you as a student but also as an individual. It's important to remember that growing your wealth of knowledge doesn't just benefit the firm for which you're applying to, but will long term grow your personal skill set to provide you the tools you need for a successful life.
Here are 6 tips to help you master an architecture & design interview to ensure you get the absolute most out of your career!
I recently attended my undergraduate alma mater representing my firm at the career fair. I was amazed at the young talent that exists within our field and was truly impressed by their ambition to enter into the profession. It felt full circle, because I was once in their shoes envisioning where I am now. I've grown drastically in the last few years in terms of knowledge & work experience. Entering the work force can be intimidating, especially with no work experience backing you up. If I could go back to the beginning, there is so much I would have told my younger self to guide me to get to where I am today. As we enter into the spring & the closing of the semester, you start to think about entering into the profession to get your foot into the world of architecture. Here are 6 tips to help you master an architecture & design interview to ensure you get the absolute most out of your career!
1. Be Ambitious & Willing to Learn
Knowledge is strength in this profession. I can't recommend enough to learn as much as you possibly can and you will be successful in anything you do! In an interview, what sticks out the most is someone's ambition and ability to learn. When I entered into the profession I didn't know much of the professional world. But, I always expressed an ability to learn, work hard, and had an inner drive to succeed. Ambition is a key component in having the desire to succeed. Enter into an interview knowing you want to learn and expand your knowledge within the field. Not only will this speak volumes about you as a student but also as an individual. It's important to remember that growing your wealth of knowledge doesn't just benefit the firm for which you're applying to, but will long term grow your personal skill set to provide you the tools you need for a successful life. What makes you determined?
2. Bring a Strong Portfolio of Work
What are you capable of producing? Your portfolio should be able to tell 4 things: your personality, your work ethic, your talent, and your attention to detail. Your portfolio of work is a true embodiment of who you are as a designer. Speaking from experience, a portfolio of your work speaks to who you are as a designer. There are some amazing resources out there for portfolio's, if you're interested in seeing my portfolio or portfolio template, let me know if this is something that may be helpful!
3. Master Your Skills
What programs are you comfortable with and what're your skills? My biggest tip: master as many as you can! When I entered into the professional world of architecture, I had no idea how much I still needed to learn. My alma mater focused heavily on softwares like Rhinocerus, but in the profession there is so much more you need to know in terms of software skills. Revit & Autocad are the most used softwares for the completion of construction documentation. Master them both! I can't tell you enough how beneficial it is to be proficient in softwares. Learning these softwares early on will benefit you and keep you one leg higher over competitors
4. Go in with Confidence
What is going to separate you from everyone else in a stack of resumes? Before we begin, there is a difference between egotistic & confident and it's pertinent you understand the difference. You won't know everything in a new role and that's okay. My advice is to sell yourself & be confident! Know what you're good at & sell yourself at what you can do, not what you can't do. Any interview I've had, whether it's been hospitality or architecture & design related, I sell myself on my ability to get the job done, and that's exactly what you should do! For example, if you're interviewing for an internship with no prior experience, sell yourself on your ability to learn, be hardworking & not afraid to ask questions. I completely understand anxiety & being nervous because I was there too! Remember that we all begin somewhere & we're all people on our own path. I know it's silly to say not to care what people think about you, but a big part in self development is realizing we are all doing our best! Let that motivate you to be the best that you can be. My biggest tip is to practice talking to yourself in front of the mirror (I know it sounds silly but it works) this will help to teach you to be confident talking to yourself. If you can master being comfortable around yourself, you can converse with anyone with confidence. Your ability to speak & lead with confidence will get you so far in the profession!
5. Show your Personality
Why should they hire you over anyone else? Who are you & what makes you passionate? Personality is a huge part of who we are as designers! We are creative people! Its important to be personable & confident. If you want to exceed at what you do learn to be comfortable within your skin and your environment to thrive. Definitely know your audience, but a big part in the interview process is knowing how to stand out in a stack of resumes & being personable. Remember that we are creative, inspired, and talented people searching for knowledge and experience to better ourselves!
6. Master your Interview Questions
An interview can be intimidating for so many reasons! For me, I've been able to control my anxiety through the master of 2 factors: confidence and prepping for interview questions. You could ignore me and go in blind with amazing answers on the fly, but I'm not wired that way. An interview is also an amazing opportunity to evaluate yourself and where you're at in your life career wise. Think of interview questions as reflections of your past work & experience and that anxiousness will start to drift away. Here are some questions I've often got in interviews and how I would begin to structure them for an internship or entry position:
What's your favorite project you've worked on?
My favorite project was X because it truly pushed me as a designer to find out what I was capable of producing. It also helped me gain an insight about Y.
What programs are you good at?
I excel in programs such as X, Y, & Z but I want to expand my knowledge of even more!
What do you want to do in your role?
I want to get my foot into the world of architecture & expand my knowledge of the field. I'm extremely interested in X, Y, or Z but I'm open to opportunities where I can work hard and learn a lot!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I want to grow as a designer and expand my knowledge in X,Y, and Z while still focusing on a path to licensure and life outside of work.
I hope these tips were helpful in how to master an architecture & design interview. This profession can open so many doors if you're willing to expand your knowledge and grow. As I always say, the more you're willing to learn the more knowledge you have under your belt. Self development is a key component of who you are in your life and your career. Go into an interview confident, aware of what you're good at, and a strong portfolio of work! If you have any other tips on how to master an interview leave them in the comments below!
All the good vibes,
Elisabeth
