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14 - Less is More_Easier to Read.

Part of the growing popularity of twitter is that tweets (text-based updates) are limited to 140 characters. Why? Because people can easily digest 140 characters or less. It takes almost no energy to read. Combine this with an image and it becomes even easier and more interesting to read.

Try converting your ideas and experiences  into a series of short blurbs (tweets) and images. Narrow it down to the best 4-6 examples. Keep it simple. One image, one blurb per page.

Now show it to a friend. Preferably someone not even in your industry. You’ll be amazed how willing they’ll be to read the entire thing.

 

15 - Stories Always Win

You know Dwell magazine, right? Dwell is popular. It outsells almost all other architecture-related magazines. There are many reasons why, but one of the major ones is that they tell stories. Dwell talks about the people and places behind the projects. They limit the technical architecture jargon. People remember stories. They forget technical crap. Your resume is a great place to tell your story.

16 - What is a Picture Worth?

Imagine if facebook, myspace, and twitter didn’t have profile pictures. Pretty boring, huh? So why would you present a resume of yourself without a picture? In business it’s important to put a face to the name. Although often cheesy, real estate agents typically use their picture on their cards and ads. They are in essence branding themselves. Like it or not, you are your own brand.

Besides, there is a level of comfort people get in knowing what you look like before you meet them. So, if your goal is to get a face-to-face interview, why wouldn’t you want to make it that much more comfortable for that person to invite you for an interview.

17 - Tell Me About Yourself, Not Just About Where You Worked

It is pretty safe to assume that everyone who is trying to get the job you’re trying to get has experience working in some other office. They all went to some school somewhere and designed some projects in various studios. Reading about where you worked and went to school gets old really fast. It doesn’t help you stand out.

I would much rather learn something interesting about you. Something that makes you unique. Maybe you ran track in college or are passionate about making pottery. It doesn’t really mater what it is. Just that it is unique to you.

Even if you have nothing, which I doubt, talk about what makes you tick: your thought process, life goals, anything. Just not another list of projects you slaved away on while working at my competitor's office.

18 - Inspire your audience

Architecture is a tedious, beat-you-down profession. The day-to-day can make you forget all about the occasional creative bliss. One quick way to engage your audience is to inspire them. Give them a break from the grind. A moment to remember why they got into this profession to begin with.

Generating inspiration is easier than it seems. Talk about what inspires you. Why you want to be an architect. What drives you. Keep it simple but powerful.

The beauty of this approach is that you inspire your reader while telling them about yourself. The whole two birds one stone thing.

19 - It’s not all about design

Being a good designer isn’t good enough. You need to be a people, business, memo-writing, multi-tasking person.

 If given a choice of traits, I’d hire someone with better business skills than design skills any day. Why? Because architecture is a business. I have to keep the doors open or there’ll be no design. Besides, most architects, like the ones you’re trying to get a job from, consider themselves good designers. They don’t need you to design all their projects. They need you to help manage and draw their projects. You’ll have plenty of time to prove you're design savvy once you’re hired.

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