Architecture and Design

Architecture

An architecture resume will typically look similar to a standard resume used in other career areas and look very similar to a nonprofit resume.  The resume should focus on relevant skills –  especially technical skills – and experiences that correlate to an architecture internship.  Take special note of the job/internship description and tailor your resume to highlight your own experience and background that connects to what is sought for the role.

Headings: You may have enough related experience that you can create a heading “Related (or Relevant) Experience” which can organize all of the related experiences (e.g. internships, leadership, co-curricular, volunteering, classroom projects, etc.) that are directly related to the position to which you are applying.  For other work experience, consider using “Additional Work Experience”.

Skills: When applying to a specific position, consider what skills are needed.  This information should be indicated on the job description.  The position may require clerical, technical, or creative skills – be sure to indicate this clearly on your resume.  Technical Skills: Computer-aided Design software (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit)

For tips on writing a standard resume, see our Resume How-To Guide.

Design Resume

Writing a design resume will be similar to an artist resume and requires slightly different content, organization, and formatting than the standard resume. Depending on the particular job and field of interest, design resumes will highlight a number of skills and include some sections that are not present in a standard resume or academic CV.   Typically, it is helpful to include a link to your portfolio, often near your contact information.

You may wish to avoid using a word processor to create your resume – consider using InDesign or Illustrator as this will allow for a more design-centric approach and showcase yours skills at the same time.  When integrating a design approach into your resume, do not sacrifice too much content in your design – the resume still needs to convey your experience to the reader.  Integrating colors into your resume can enhance the design – just don’t go overboard!

Sample Design Resume

This resume sample is intended to provide a basic idea of what an arts resume can look like. Your resume may – a typically will – look different. Further, other roles within or adjacent to the visual arts may have unique modifications as well. One of the best ways to figure out how your resume should look is to explore the resumes of other professionals who are working in similar ways to what you intend to do. Many visual artists have webpages with their resumes included. An internet search is an excellent tool to discover resume version in the professional world.

Cover Letters

Cover letter are often  an important part of landing an interview, especially in smaller organizations where the hiring manager is more likely to take the time to read the letter.  The cover letter is intended to introduce you to the organization, express your interest in the position, and match your skills and experiences to the role.  A well-written cover letter shows employers that you have taken the time to craft a personal response to their specific job opportunity and that you are serious about the position.. Generally a cover letter has three parts: the opening, the middle, and the closing.

For tips on writing a cover letter, see our Cover Letter How-To Guide.