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One of the questions I get asked around hiring is “when is the best time to apply to practices?”. It’s sort of a double-edged sword because chronologically, there is no best season or month to apply. Yes, it just so happens that in the UK, as the academic year finishes, by September some practices will be looking to re-hire another Part 1 - but that’s not always the case. Plus, if you have this thought, chances are so are the other 999 other applicants across the country. So are you really just setting yourself up for more competition?
Where does a personal brand fit into all of this. The truth is, I’ve been banging on about building a personal brand, using digital leverage and showing up online for quite a few years now. But maybe only 5% of people actually listen and act on that advice. No-one told me to start posting content. I fell into it as a happy mistake, but if I can convince you in the next 10 minutes that it will change the game for your career, I promise you won’t regret it.
Let’s first get into the nitty gritty about hiring. I’ve seen the inner workings of over 16 practices with Open Studio workshops and now I really understand that whilst all practices hire in different ways, there are some methods and case studies you can apply to your method. I think the days of handing in your CV in person or sending a physical copy in the post are gone. This is because, particularly with bigger practices, there is a hiring team in place, with specific steps that your application goes through.
Most practices prefer to sit down and filter through applications in bulk and then pass it on amongst one another via a simple pdf. The key is to start thinking like the person looking at your CV, and this isn’t always just an architect. Going into the office also may prove to be difficult because architects are busy, they’re not going to stop in the middle of the day to come and speak to you or look through your portfolio. I may be wrong but generally this isn’t preferred.
Universally, practices value clarity and ease. If it takes more than a few seconds for your digital portfolio flipbook to open, it’s already given a bad impression. Bear in mind that links are also frowned upon because most company IT safeties don’t like external links. Compositionally, your CV and portfolio should be like a pair. It bodes well when both of these documents feel like you’ve taken the time to add some style and character to your application, either graphically or through the layout.
The right type of composition can make or break how your application is perceived too. You could have exceptional work, but if it’s in a 4x4cm box on an A3 page, crammed in between 6 other images, it’s going to go unnoticed. Similar to fashion, less is more. Now that we’ve covered those misconceptions, let’s get on to the solution.
Unfortunately, you can’t control the competition in the industry or the level of skills other applicants may have. You also don’t really have control over your own work because it’s set in stone. All you can really do is present it well. Instead, let’s focus on improving the factors that you can control. Architecture, or any other creative career for that matter is somewhat of a social career. There is an element of ‘’who you know’ and whilst that’s not totally fair, you might aswell make the best of the situation. I’m not saying you have to have familial connections or existing relationships to rely on and that’s the beauty of a personal brand.
There are thousands of ways to get noticed, build real relationships and make a bit of a buzz through platforms like LinkedIn. I know, sounds boring. But if you’ve stopped reading, you’re probably putting yourself at a disadvantage by not even recognising the impact of a platform like this. Additionally, when I say, ‘build a personal brand’, I’m asking you to take elements of the lessons I’ve learnt in the last 8 years, and apply them. You don’t have to be a content creator or influencer, you don’t have to do something untraditional, you just have to be you.
A personal brand is only as good as your understanding of it. It’s the impression you give to others - in this case through a digital medium. So how do you go about building one? First you have the understand that it’s really a long game, which is why I’m telling you to start ASAP. The good news is that it’s not too late to build your personal brand - hehe.
The backbone of a personal brand is really your unfair advantage. Once you find out what the combination of skills or your niche interest is, that’s what you roll with for the next couple of years. Your unfair advantage forms the basis of the things you post, who you follow, what you engage with. Granted, as an emerging creative, you might not become a credible expert on your niche, but it will help people remember you. That’s really the aim of the game. To take control of that impression via your personal brand.
Start small and integrate posting content into your daily habits. I’m not saying you have to grind every single day and be chronically online either. But just enough to make sure that you’re leaving an impression and sneakily working your way into the bubble of practice directors, hiring managers or influential people in the practices you like. All it takes is one person to notice you, maybe leave a comment and for you to take that conversation offline and build on it till you feel you can naturally find your way in.
This obviously, isn’t a guaranteed way to land an interview, or even a job for that matter. But it’s going to help you open doors. Chances of you connecting with someone at a practice that is hiring, for which you meet the exact skillset is low. But you never know how some connections come full circle or provide future opportunities. Yes, build your personal brand, tell people what you’re all about. But, make sure that you’re also connecting with people regularly.
Honestly, this feels crazy to be writing out in a little blog post that many people won’t even read. It feels like I’m spilling my secrets and I could write about this topic to put into an entire book. What you choose to do with this information is up to you!