Architect CV Example and Writing Guide

Edit this template on MobilCV - free, no sign-up!

When applying for architecture roles, your CV should present your design skills and completed projects in a balanced mix of visuals and text. A portfolio link plays a critical role in how architecture firms evaluate CVs.

Always Include Your Portfolio Link

Share a link to your personal website or a platform like Behance/Issuu prominently on your CV. Employers in architecture typically consider the portfolio just as important as the CV itself.

List Your Design Software

Include the software you use - AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, 3ds Max, Lumion, etc. - in a dedicated section. It helps to illustrate how you used these tools on specific projects with examples.

Detail Your Project Experience

Clearly state the scale of projects you've worked on (residential, commercial, urban design, etc.) and your role in each.

Example: "Contributed to the schematic design phase of a 500 m² residential project, responsible for material selection."
Example: "Conducted site analysis for an urban regeneration project as part of a 3-person team."

Mention Competitions and Awards

If you've entered architecture competitions, won awards, or had projects exhibited, give these their own section - they demonstrate creativity and professional engagement.

What to Include in an Architect CV

A clear order helps a practice find what it needs quickly:

Contact details and a working portfolio link
A short professional summary (two or three lines)
Professional registration or licence status, if you have one
Work experience, with the projects you worked on and your role in each
Education, including your diploma or thesis project
Software skills
Competitions, awards and exhibitions
Languages

Example Professional Summaries

Example: “Architectural assistant with experience in residential and mixed-use projects from concept design to construction drawings. Confident in Revit and AutoCAD, and comfortable coordinating with structural and MEP consultants.”
Example: “Recent architecture graduate with a diploma project on adaptive reuse of industrial buildings. Experienced in SketchUp, Rhino and physical model making through two practice internships.”

Skills to List

Technical: concept and design development, technical drawings and construction documents, BIM coordination, knowledge of local building regulations, site visits and supervision, 3D visualisation.

Working with people: presenting to clients, coordinating with engineers and contractors, teamwork on competition entries.

Registration and the Title “Architect”

In some countries “architect” is a protected title. In the UK, for example, only people registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) may practise or do business under that title; in the United States, licensing is handled by each state. If you are not registered yet, describe your role accurately, for example “architectural assistant”, and state where you are in the registration process.

Common Mistakes

A missing or broken portfolio link. Check it before every application.
Listing software without saying what you used it for.
Putting large images inside the CV. Keep visuals in the portfolio so the CV stays readable by application systems and small enough to email.
Calling yourself an architect where the title is protected and you are not registered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put images in my architect CV?

Usually keep the CV text-based and put drawings and renders in your portfolio. A text-based CV is easier for application systems to read and keeps the file small.

How long should an architect CV be?

One to two pages is a common length. If the employer gives a limit, follow it.

What should a graduate architect put on a CV?

Your diploma project, internships or placements, competition entries, software skills and any model-making or site experience.

Should I add a photo to my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UK and the US a photo is usually left out; in some other countries it is common. See our CV rules by country.

Conclusion

Clearly presenting your portfolio link, technical software skills, and project experience strengthens your application. Click the button below to start filling in a free CV template based on these tips.

Filled-In Example CV

A sample CV filled in for an Architect position, following the tips above. You can fill in your own information the same way. All names and companies are fictional, and the portrait in the photo version was generated with AI and does not show a real person. Adding a photo is optional and customs differ by country.

Filled-in example CV for Architect (with photo) — With photo

Create Your CV With This Template