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Contents
About your Year in Practice
Interview advice
CV and portfolio advice
Portfolio examples
Writing a pitch email
About your Year in Practice
Before commencing our MArch (Part 2) courses, you are typically required to undertake a minimum of 9 months practical experience working in the field of architecture. This will give you time to learn and develop as a designer and offer insight into the wider construction industry. More information on MArch entry requirements is available on the School’s Website.
The Year in Practice can also contribute, as Stage 1 Practical Experience, towards your final professional qualification as an Architect through completing PEDR (Professional Experience and Development Record) under the supervision of an architect or another qualified construction industry professional.
You may choose to work for longer than one year to save money or to gain additional experience. Other options include taking time out to work in the wider construction industry, work overseas, volunteer or travel.
Getting Started
Getting Started
- Do some research- list practices that you think you might like to work for. Spend time on their website and check out the ‘about’ section, not just the projects.
- Don’t wait for a job advert, call the practice to find out who is best to email for recruitment then start sending your CV to a few practices with a short email intro.
- Don’t be scared to call them to follow up. Practices will expect this. They won’t think you’re a pest!
- Attend the Summer Exhibition Employers Event- this is a really good opportunity to meet practitioners, show your work and get an interview.
- Dezeen Jobs is a good place to start- but using your own initiative is often more lucrative- https://www.dezeenjobs.com/
- Instagram is one of the best places to find a job. Follow plenty of practices that are on your list and keep an eye out for job adverts.
- Be selective- be critical- make sure you understand the ethos of the practice and you are interested to work there. Be specific during your job search- find an office that suits you.
CVs, Portfolios and Interviews
CVs, Portfolios and Interviews
- Make ‘page 1’ of your CV very clear, simple and straightforward. Just key info.
- Lay out your CV carefully- don’t make it too long- you don’t need to show every plan, just give a general representation of your skills. Show a range of skills in the images you choose
- Don’t worry if you feel you have some weaknesses in certain software- many practices will offer training either formally or in-house to get you started.
- Most students take a break after submitting their portfolio- 2 weeks/ 1 month is usual, then start sending out CVs in early July. But DON’T WORRY if you want to take a longer break- there will very likely be jobs available later in the year.
- Make space for a little bit of Special Study in your CV… your research in your chosen field may be very useful, also diagrams and presentation of text and images is a key skill for a Pt1 student.
- You don’t necessarily need to add a ‘skills proficiency’ on each software package- just list what you have experience of.
- Interviews are usually very informal, just to gauge how you interact and communicate. ALWAYS ask questions, don't forget that it's a chance for you to see if the practice is right for you too.
- You don’t need to dress SUPER smart- be stylish and neat and tidy of course, but you don’t need to wear your best clothes!
- Paper copy/digital copy? If it's not specified- there’s no harm in trying both.
- Check your email regularly. During your job search, check spam folders and Junk mail several times a day- don’t miss out on an opportunity. ALWAYS use your personal email address- NOT your Uni one
CV and Portfolio Advice
A small selection of CVs and Sample Portfolios has been collated to provide graduating Year 3 students some inspiration for their Year in Practice job applications. For graduating Year 3 students, applying for a Year in Practice placement is a new experience, and so this collection aims to provide a starting point for students to develop their own successful applications.
Writing a pitch email
If you’re contacting a practice to ask for professional experience which hasn’t been advertised as a vacancy, it’s extra important to write an effective pitch.
You want to make your opening email short, effective and professional. It needs to give a clear and quick overview of your skills, experience and, together with your attached CV and portfolio, demonstrate your design ability.
You’re trying to establish a relationship with the person reading your email, so if at all possible, find a named person to email and use their name, rather than sending it ‘To whom it may concern’.
Make sure your email address, and the name attached to your email account, are professional. Instructions for checking the name on a Gmail account can be found here. If the name on your account is your own name, you don’t need to introduce yourself by name in the email.
It’s important to create a positive and professional first impression. Proof-read your email and use online tools such as Grammarly to check for spelling and grammar.
Show that you’ve done a bit of research on the practice. Mention a recent project you’re interested in, or why you’re attracted to their practice ethos.
Use active language wherever possible - think verbs such as ‘designed’, ‘led’, ‘managed’, ‘organised’, ‘collaborated’, ‘improved’.
Think about words that describe your personal qualities. Are you resourceful? Experienced? Practical? Organised? Dependable? Versatile? Don’t fill your email with these, but do pick one or two to use.
Sign off professionally. If you’ve written to a named person, then use ‘Yours sincerely’; if you’ve had to use a generic greeting such as ‘To whom it may concern’, then use ‘Yours faithfully'.
Sample pitch email
Dear Joanne,
I’m writing to express my interest in working for your practice. I’m a resourceful and dependable graduate seeking experience in practice. I recently completed my BA in Architecture at the University of Sheffield. Please find attached my portfolio and CV, which give an overview of my design skills.
I have previously completed four weeks of work shadowing at Ward Architecture Limited in Dronfield and have two years of experience of collaborating with others on design briefs through my degree.
I am interested in your practice because of your focus on sustainable design, particularly your design for the Bradfield School Community Hall. I enjoyed my third year project on a construction skills centre using reclaimed materials, and would like to further explore this kind of project.
I am available to work from August 2023. Thank you for taking the time to read my email, I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Fred Bloggs
Negotiating salary
When encountering job vacancies without specified salaries, you might be asked during an interview to state your expected pay. This can cause anxiety, but is a normal part of the process. Read on for guidance on what to expect and how to proceed.
What is the current average?
To begin, it's helpful to know what employers are currently paying. RIBA reported that the median salary for a Part 1 Architectural Assistant in 2022 was £22,560. Salaries typically fell somewhere between £20,110 and £25,000. London generally offers higher salaries than other places in the UK. The size of the practice also influences average salary offered, as can be seen below:
Consider the cost of living
These figures were collected in May 2022, before the huge spike in inflation in late 2022/early 2023.
Things to take into consideration
As well as the salary, consider the wider benefits the company may offer, such as paid holiday/sick leave/training days, flexible working hours or remote work options, increased pension contributions, company car/travel allowance, health/life insurance, gym membership, company shares, and regular pay reviews. These make up the total package offered and may make a significant contribution.
Keep in mind that your salary is subject to taxation, so your take-home pay will differ from the headline figure. You can calculate your take-home pay using the Salary Calculator website. Some employers may publish salary ranges, and you may find information on salaries at larger organisations through platforms like Glassdoor.
Tips for negotiating a salary:
When asked about your expected salary, ask them about their salary range.
Be realistic by determining the cost of living in the area where you'll be living and working, basing your expectations on this.
Take into account your level of practice experience.
Consider the size of the practice, their values, and the additional benefits they offer.
Offer a salary range, such as "I'd be looking for somewhere between X and Y, depending on the other benefits offered." This provides the employer with room to negotiate.
The employer may make a counter-offer. Evaluate it and respond with another range or a specific figure.
Ensure your salary range is supported by research, your skills, and your needs, such as relocation costs or being based in London.
Remember that negotiation is a professional skill and an important aspect of the interview process. Stay professional and composed. It's not personal!
LH, May 2023
With thanks to Emma Shaw of the Department of Landscape Architecture for advice and input.
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