Prepare your portfolio

Take your entire portfolio to your architecture interview. However, have key pages bookmarked with post-it notes so you can easily present a condensed version clearly if needed. You could ask your interviewer if they want to see the full works or the highlights before you start presenting.

✔️ Make sure your portfolio is in order.

✔️ No pesky hairs! Are all the pages clean?

✔️ Rips, folds, scribbles. Are any pages needing reprinting?

✔️ Bookmarked key pages for quick access.

✔️ Supporting documents? Have ‘em just in case. 

Tip: Leave your portfolio pages on the table during the interview.

Research the practice  

Carry out your own due diligence on the practice you are interviewing for. Make sure you know their values and what type of architecture they take on. You could even learn about a couple of their projects. If the conversation leads to why you applied, you have the answers to these common architecture interview questions.

 

✔️ What type of architecture do they work on?

✔️ What are the values of the practice?

✔️ Have an idea of what you can contribute.

✔️ What software do they use?

✔️ Prepare for common architecture interview questions, such as: what type of architecture do you like…

 ✔️ Have accurate salary expectations.

 ✔️ Know the job description, ask for clarification if any job role expectations are unclear.

Tip: If you don’t know the software the practice uses, take an hour to familiarise yourself with it so you can say you’ve had a go and can learn it.

 

Don’t forget to smile :) 

A potential employer is looking for someone who will be a good fit for the office as well as skilled. It is important you leave a good impression in your architecture interview. Show you are friendly, easy to talk to and get along with. Be sociable and enthusiastic, and crack a joke if you’re feeling brave.

 

✔️ Be polite and respectful.

✔️ Make sure you are engaging in conversation.

✔️ Learn the dress code e.g. smart casual.

✔️ Present yourself nicely.

✔️ Be on time! Not too early, Definitely not late!

✔️ Make eye contact.

✔️ Have nothing inappropriate on social media.

 

Tip: You are allowed to take a few seconds to think before answering a question. It's not a long time, even if it feels like it to you.   

Thank you for reading!

Related blogs: Marketing for Architects