An architecture practice reads your resume with your portfolio open in another tab. The resume's job is to make the portfolio easy to judge: which projects you worked on, what stage you were involved in, what you personally drew or coordinated, and which software you used. A list of famous projects without your role on each tells a practice almost nothing.
The examples below are fictional. Replace every [bracketed] project, firm and date with your own, and only list work you are allowed to show.
Use the right title for your registration status
In many countries "Architect" is a protected title. In India you need registration with the Council of Architecture; in the UK, with the Architects Registration Board. If you are not registered yet, write "Architectural Assistant", "Part 1/Part 2 Architectural Assistant" or "Architecture Graduate" instead. Employers check, and a wrong title can end an application.
Write each project entry with role, stage and scope
Architecture resume project entry (fictional)
[Architectural Assistant], [Practice name], [City] — [Month Year]–[Month Year]
• [Project type, e.g. 6-storey residential block], [size or budget if public] — [stage, e.g. concept to planning].
• Produced [plans / sections / 3D models] in [Revit / AutoCAD / Rhino]; coordinated [structural / MEP] drawings.
• Prepared [planning / tender] drawing set of [number] sheets; attended [site visits / client meetings].
Software and skills: be specific about level
List the tools a practice uses, grouped so they are quick to scan, and only claim what you can use in a test. A practice may ask you to produce a drawing in an interview.
Skills section for an architect (fictional)
Drawing and BIM: [AutoCAD], [Revit] — [level].
3D and visualisation: [SketchUp / Rhino], [Lumion / V-Ray / Enscape].
Presentation: [Photoshop], [InDesign], [physical model making].
Knowledge: [local building codes], [sustainability standard, only if trained], [site supervision].
Link your portfolio from the top of the page
Put a short portfolio link next to your email, and make sure it opens without a login. The portfolio should show three or four projects in depth, with the drawings you produced and a note on your role. See where to put the portfolio link on your resume; a portfolio website is easier to share than a large PDF attachment. For what to put in it, see the architecture portfolio guide: a factsheet per project, the drawings to include and a page plan.
Should an architect resume be one or two pages?
One page for graduates and assistants, two for experienced architects with several projects. The portfolio carries the visual detail.
Is an architecture CV different from a resume?
The content is the same: projects, roles, software and education. "CV" is more common in the UK, Europe, India and the Gulf; "resume" in the US.
Can I include student projects?
Yes, especially as a graduate. Label them as academic projects and describe the brief and your design decisions.
Early in your career? Compare the fresh graduate resume example. For portfolio layouts, browse the portfolio templates, then build the resume in the resume builder.