How to Actually Get Hired in Architecture and Interior Design

If you are trying to get hired in architecture or interior design, sending the same CV and portfolio to every studio is not enough.

In this Kingston University session, Stephen Drew shares practical advice for students, graduates and early-career designers trying to land roles in London and the wider UK architecture market.

The session covers:

How to stop relying only on job boards and reach studios directly

What to include in a 10 to 15 page sample portfolio

How to write a direct email that busy directors are more likely to read

When students and graduates should start applying

How international graduates can talk about the graduate visa clearly

What to bring to interviews so you stay in control

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▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HifIh5_4r2g

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/how-to-actually-get-hired-in-architecture-and-interior-design/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

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Chapters

• 00:00 Stephen's route from architecture into recruitment
• 05:17 Sample portfolios and grabbing attention
• 10:16 CV details, grades and contact information
• 15:09 Software skills and how to present them
• 20:02 Portfolio images and presentation quality
• 25:02 ATS myths and making your CV readable
• 30:10 Showing process in portfolio work
• 35:08 Applying directly and building enough volume
• 40:05 Skipping the job board queue with direct outreach
• 45:01 Market conditions, persistence and application volume
• 50:17 International graduates and visa conversations
• 55:08 What employers value in graduates
• 1:00:19 Start dates, availability and interview questions
• 1:05:21 Targeting practices without overthinking it
• 1:10:10 Writing emails that focus on the employer