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Part 1 jobs "we want someone with more experience"

I'm a bit stuck, I'm a part one and am looking for work. I have about 3 months previous experience gained over the summer, a good degree from a good university and a quite nice portfolio I think.

I keep having job interviews (I've had about 7 from 300 CVs I've sent out) and I keep NOT getting the job, they always say they're looking for more experience and I should come back to them when I have some more. The trouble is that I keep getting that and nobody will give me a break.

I've been trying to do things that make my CV look good but I wonder if these are just things that matter when going back to uni and really practices are only interested in other practices? If this is right, which I think it is, WHAT CAN I DO?!

Henry J

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15 answers

  • 0

sarah_77

I wouldn't follow Lsol's advice exactly. I once interviewed someone who had worked a year in one of those Dutch offices (the Principals, who were impressed by the names and visual imagery on the CV, were not available to conduct the interview).

We soon realised the interviewee was rather worried by the prospect of drawing work, such as a Pt 1 might have to do. The year in the Dutch office had produced impressive visualisation and conceptual skills, but no technical knowledge. That person wasn't suitable for our practice.

If you do an internship (if you're lucky enough to get one), do try to make sure you're also learning useful things. PLanning, Building Regs and technical detailing are not necessarily the fun parts of architecture, but it is the experience you need - what makes you useful in an average practice.

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  • 1

a h

If you don't get the job after an interview make sure you ask the interviewers for feedback on what they think you could do to improve both your CV and interview technique. Getting an interview in the first place is great, it shows that your CV is working. You need to make sure you nail your interview.

I did the Part 1 interviews this year in our office and these are the key points I can highlight.

  • Focus your discussion on practical issues. Make sure your folio shows your level of CAD competence and your level of understanding of construction etc.
  • Your student projects are interesting to show your ideas and creativity, so definitely show these. Highlight what your project aimed to achieve and how you resolved the brief.
  • Normally Part 1 students will be doing a lot of CAD and photoshop work in the office, so make sure you are competent in at least one CAD programme and photoshop as a minimum. If not, do some courses in the meantime to get yourself up to scratch.
  • Highlight areas that you enjoy and/or are keen to learn so you demonstrate some enthusiasm in architecture.

Don't forget that the interviewers understand the level of knowledge and experience you have at Part 1. We have taken on Part 1 students with no experience, but they demonstrated they have the aptitude and attitude to take on the role.

Good luck.

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  • 0

vince

Dear Henry,

You have only sent 300 which is not very bad, but beware that there are people out there who are more experienced and have sent more than 2000 applicantions but are in the same boat as yourself.

what can I say. Keep it up!

Good Luck Vince

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  • 0

lsol

You go to a really nice office (oma, mvrdv, sanaa), spend some months, even a year working your ass off (don't expect to be paid a lot, or even something) and then go back to your job quest... they will fight for you.

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  • 0

nats

Try doing a couple of flashy 3d images using 3dsMax, and try learning AutoCAD or preferably BIM such as Archicad or Revit, this is what people want to see in their employees these days. A lightly experienced student with a good command of CAD will always be worth a lot. You will spend a lot of time detailing and drawing car parks etc but at least its a start. If you are lucky you will become the office expert and therefore invaluable - being a specialist is essential for avoiding job cuts - there are precious few around who can do anything proficiently particularly high end computer based work.

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  • 0

henry j

Thank you for the advice everyone. Not alot is happening in the South West and I don't know how much more I can go on thinking that something is going to come up. I'm going to look into graphic design. Anyone need a budding graphic designer, albeit a pretty depressed one?!

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  • 0

dominic skinner

I had exactly the same problem. I did a City and Guilds autocad course at my local college in my spare time which over a period of a few months got me to a good standard. After that I found it much easier to get interviews and job offers. The course is also free if you are unemployed. I've found that employers want practical skills as well as talent. Dont give up on architecture just yet!!

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  • 0

sarah_77

I think you will need to see what your local college is offering. As far as my local college goes, if you're in work part time courses are unlikely to be funded. If you're unemployed/single parent/disabled etc there is 'financial support' of various sorts depending on your circumstances and the course you want to do.

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  • 0

dominic skinner

My local college told me that if you are unemployed and claiming benefits then all City and Guild courses, including AutoCad are free. There was a small fee for course materials (£30). After uni when I found it extremely difficult to find work it really helped.

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  • 0

ally

No such place as an architect that always has jobs available, certainly not these days at least...I suggest you keep trying and trying, it's the only way...look further afield too.

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  • 0

gareth simpson

I've always advised advised Part I's on interview something that a Director of a firm ion Birmingham told me. She said always take work which shows your personality and not the work that you got highest marks for; you'll find that you actively speak better with work you really enjoyed doing.

I would also say learn a programme that other people don't know, like Revit. It's one programme that will be incerassingly used over this year with major firms; if you can get something like that under your belt then it sets you apart from the competition.

One common piece of advice that I repeat all too often (with people of all levels) is the amount of detail in their CV. All too often I hear that 2 pages are the standard and anything else will hinder your chances; simply not true. You need to go into each project, or uni work, with enough detail to allow the interviewer tio understand your role, thoughts, inspirations and design ability.

Hope that helps, keep going. Where in the UK are you interested about working and I'll see if I can put you in touch with some people I know or have worked with in the past.

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  • 0

colette

I am a young female riba 2 architect from Westminster university... I have been looking for a permanent jobb for the past year and cannot find one...I had to resign in seeking jobs in customer service or reception...i know it it not where i should be... what are the big firms you may know that have always jobs available??? because i realized i can't see the right direction to take when applying for the right architectural practice for me...I need you help and guidance...

take care

colette

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