How to Find a Job As an Architect

Architects are able to see potential where nothing else stands.

Architects are building professionals who combine a love of science and art to create new structures. They create plans for homes, offices, stores and other buildings and then work with developers and construction workers to bring the plans from paper to dimensional space. Jobs in the architectural field are competitive, but you can find a good position if you know which types of organizations work with architects and if you aren't afraid to network aggressively.

Instructions

1. Get in touch with the professors you had for architecture courses in college. Your professors probably will be established enough in the field to know of some open positions, or at least should be able to provide you with names of organizations to approach.

2. Search your phone book or online directory for local architecture firms. Call these organizations and see if there are openings available, or if any would consider permitting you to leave a resume.

3. Contact production home builders in your region. Some of these builders may need architects to help home owners choose architectural items and materials--for example, countertops--as they construct buildings. You might not be able to work "from scratch" in this capacity, but you'll still be able to network, establish a client base and offer advise using your architectural knowledge.

4. Visit the website or your local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). They routinely list job openings available. Don't exclude internships from your options, as even an unpaid internship builds your resume and provides a stepping stone for a better position.

5. Go to as many job websites as possible. Ones to try are architecturecrossing.com, aerotek.com, creativejobscentral.com and quintcareers.com. Remember that you can post your resume on some of these websites even if you don't find the position you want; employers visit these websites looking for recruits even when they don't post a job listing.

6. Look into a contracting agency. The agency will take a cut of your paycheck until your architecture firm hires you as a full-time employee, but the contracting agency will have many more contacts and resources than you for finding open positions and you'll likely find a job faster.

References

• American Institute of Architects: Home
• Heller Information Services: What Does an Architect Do?