When you are first starting out in the Architecture Industry, or any industry for that matter, you must have a sound understanding of what you bring to the table and what you want to gain from the opportunity.
1. First, start with WHY?
Just like anything in life, why do you get out of bed every morning? What are your passions? Can these passions be tied into your career?
When in university, you are constantly asked to figure out what you are going to do for your career, yet many times you are forced to learn about topics that are not interesting or passions of yours. Get out of the academic mindset, and write down on a list all of the activities and passions you love and would like to transition into your career.
2. Honesty is key
You must understand that those decision makers that will be interviewing you will have already seen hundreds of applications. This means that when you enter into the room, you must make it clear what kind of person you are.
Honesty is a great place to start when creating a new professional relationship, and it is a key aspect that interviewers look for. Not only this, but it provides you with the ability to be upfront about your work and where you have been and where you want to go. As you won’t be hiding anything from them.
3. What are your accomplishments?
Define what actions you took and the results you were able to create along with your team, yet you always want to define your role. Each firm has a different view on what each role does, so make sure you state concrete actions and outcomes. What are you proud of and want to share with them?
Make a list of each professional experience you have had, and define 5 specific actions you took and how they positively impacted the firm over time.
4. What are your objectives?
When defining your objectives, you want to clearly communicate your expectations and what you expect to achieve with the firm you are interviewing at. As long as they know where you stand and their expectations are set properly, your professional relationship will move smoothly.
If it is just a quick pitch, this section must be shortened down to your three main goals in life, and how you are going to get there by working with the firm you are pitching to.
5. Authenticity is an easy differentiator
Similar to honesty, authenticity is a wonderful way to differentiate yourself from the rest. This could come in the form of telling the decision maker an authentic story about a time you struggled, yet you were able to overcome it and learn from it.
Decision makers at firms are humans, and within the field of design and architecture, your goal is present humanity in all its faults and glory. So you too must be able to reflect on who you are and what it is you want to acheive.
6. What tools are you working with?
Tools means skills. What are your current sets of skills and how do they help the company grow? You must think of some of the more unique ways in which you could provide value to a firm.
You may be able to use experiences outside of architecture that show your humanity and how you have grown over time.
7. Make sure you can personalize your pitch to the firm
This is VERY IMPORTANT! You MUST personalize your pitch to each different company, and even each different decision maker within the firm.
If you properly did your research on the firm, you would know about each possible interviewer before going in. This means being able to craft and reshape your pitch to be specific to the audience you are talking to. That way it will hit harder!
8. DOs and DONTs when pitching yourself
- DO use present tense when speaking
- DO shape and craft pitch according to your audience
- DO change your interview style up
- DONT forget to show them your humanity
- DONT use the typical cliches
Please take into account all 8 of these factors when creating your pitch! You will see how you can shine in your interviews and in your first interactions!
When considering your next career move, plan proactively and create Portfolios that include your best work. Consider looking into finding a mentor with Architect-US, and improving your Portfolios with our Portfolio Plans and Career Advice Program. We provide coaching and personalized mentorship, so you can have a professional and experienced take on your next steps in your career, as well as a great team to confide in.
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