As a project manager, you’re the swiss army knife of business roles. When it comes to getting hired, you’ve got to show that you can manage all the details while also having the vision to see the big picture. At the same time, you also need to make it clear that you can work well with others while also demonstrating independence.

If it sounds like you’re about to be stretched in all directions at once, don’t worry! There’s a science to balancing what makes an ideal project manager resume and we’ve got it all here for you. We’ll go through:

• How to write for ATS scanners
• How to get the attention of recruiters
• How your resume should be formatted
• What skills will help you stand out
• How to best emphasize your achievements
• Critical mistakes you need to avoid
• How to write an effective summary or objective 
• Other details that will make your project manager resume stand above the competition
• How to target each job to boost your chance of getting hired
• And more!

Whether you’ve got decades of project management experience or are looking to start fresh with a new career, these tips will walk you through exactly what you need to do to stand out from the competition and land that project management role you deserve.

Project manager resume examples

Before we delve into all the details, these project manager resume examples can start getting some ideas going. Pay attention to what stands out and what gets left out. Then, try writing down the ideas they inspire for use in your own resume.

How to write the perfect project manager resume

The first lesson to learn is that your project manager resume has two different audiences. The first in most cases will be an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Then, once you’ve cleared that hurdle you’ll reach an HR person or recruiter. So, before we delve into resume formatting and content, let’s get into the heads (or algorithms) of these two audiences.

What ATS scanners will look for

For all but the smallest companies out there, an ATS tool is going to be the first way incoming resumes are reviewed. These systems generally use AI to scan your resume and determine whether a human should give it a look as well. Here’s what you need to know to clear that hurdle:

It’s all about the keywords

The main way ATS tools analyze your resume is by looking at keywords. Sure, they’ll also see how long you’ve worked at previous jobs and such but those are usually secondary. As a project manager, you need to show you have the right skills. 

We’ll delve into those skills more later but for now, you need to know this technique. Start by looking at the job ad and making note of all the skills it lists. Now, your mission is to get as many of those skills as possible onto your resume (no lying though, that’s just going to come back and bite you).

Next, be sure you phrase these skills the same way they’re written in the job ad. An ATS scanner might not realize that “Experience working with docx files” and “Experience working with Microsoft Word” mean effectively the same thing.

Make sure your resume format is ATS friendly

While there’s no way to be 100% certain your resume will be read properly by an ATS tool just because there are dozens of different ones out there, you need to use a tool that’s designed to be ATS readable. That custom resume you made for yourself in Canva might look great, but if ATS tools can’t read it, it’s worse than useless for you.

If you’re curious you can read more about how ATS tools analyze your resume.

What recruiters will look for

Whether there’s an ATS scanner involved or not, your resume is going to have to impress a human reader at some point. The key is consciously putting yourself in their shoes. Imagine you’re the recruiter and look at your resume with fresh (and critical) eyes.

What recruiters want from a project manager

There are two things about project managers that can drive their supervisor’s crazy: not being reliable and requiring frequent help or intervention. A project manager resume needs to sell you as someone who’s going to make their life easier. You need to come across as someone who gets things done on their own.

We go into more detail on how you can show this in your project manager resume below, but begin by having this goal in mind.

How to format your project manager resume

The first choice you need to make is how to format your project manager resume. Fortunately, ResumeBuild already has templates that are ideal for project managers. But as you go through, there are still things to consider:

A reverse chronological resume is ideal for a project manager

Your most recent work experience is going to be the most relevant, so it should go first. Remember that we generally scan documents beginning at the top left before moving to the right and down the document. You need to put your most important (and impactful) information more to the top and left.

Should your project manager resume be one or two pages?

This is an endless debate in the hiring world. Some say that no resume should be more than a page while others say “the more the merrier!” The reality is that it depends. Recruiters are people and have their own opinions. That said, there are a few rules of thumb:

• Make sure you only include information that tells the recruiter something valuable. Anything you write that doesn’t add value is wasting the recruiter’s time (and few things will annoy them more!)
• Be sure to check whether there are any length requirements in the job ad.
• Generally speaking, if you have less than five years experience a single page should be enough. Otherwise, it’s wise to stick to no more than two pages.

What skills your project manager resume should include

The first thing to keep in mind here is that, as mentioned, your skills need to match what’s in the job ad as closely as possible. Your goal is for the person reviewing your resume to think “they seem perfect for this role.” That means customizing each resume so it matches the exact skills and wording in each job ad.

Top hard skills for a project manager resume

• Management systems like Scrum or Agile
• Scheduling
• Management tools like Asana
• Strategic planning
• Business development
• Microsoft office suite experience
• Programming languages

Top soft skills for a project manager resume

• Public speaking
• Conflict resolution
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving
• Vendor negotiation
• Planning
• Flexibility

The best ways to include these skills on your project manager resume

Listing skills is essential but not enough to really stand out. You need to lay your skills out this way so ATS scanners can pick up on them. But to go above and beyond, you need to demonstrate your skills in concrete ways. 

This could be with a certification or by mentioning a situation where you demonstrated that skill in your work experience or even in your personal life. Specifics will leave a far greater impact on a reader, telling them that you can back up what’s in your resume.

What achievements to mention and how to do it correctly

Recruiters don’t want to hire project managers that will just do the minimum and call it a day. Being a great project manager requires demonstrating that you’re proactive and get ahead of problems. Your resume can show that you’ve got this crucial quality with your achievements.

Focus on mentioning things that demonstrate relative qualities, whether they’re directly related to working as a project manager or not. For example, if you’ve ever managed a club, team, or any kind of event, that’s worth mentioning. Demonstrating you have the skills to excel as a project manager is nearly as important as having actual project management experience.

When you mention achievements from work or non-work experience, always be as specific as possible. “Managed an 8 person team to deliver a new product 2 weeks ahead of schedule” sounds far more impressive than “Managed a team to deliver a new product ahead of schedule.” With these rules in mind, here are some examples of achievements worth mentioning:

• Incorporated Google Data Studio into monthly project metrics reporting, saving 10 hours per month

• Took over a project that was 24% over budget and got it within budget after 3 weeks

• Created a database of 87 FAQs for internal use, reducing the need for emails to answer basic questions

Examples like these show what you’ve achieved, but more than that they show attention to detail. A recruiter who reads these achievements can imagine what you’re like as a project manager and that’s exactly what you want them to imagine.

What to avoid mentioning in your achievements

The rule of thumb here is the same as for your resume as a whole: if it doesn’t add value then it shouldn’t be there. That said, consider what might leave an impression on the person reading your resume. For example, being state champion in pole vaulting might not be directly related to project management. But, it shows you can achieve great things and might make the person reading your resume pause for a moment and say “wow.”

The worst things you can include are achievements that make no impression whatsoever. Here are some examples:

• Improved team efficiency
• Effectively managed multiple projects
• Member of my university’s gardening club

These are either irrelevant or so vague that they’re basically meaningless. A recruiter who reads achievements like this on your project management resume will feel you’ve wasted their valuable time. That is not an impression you want to leave.

How to write a project manager resume objective

Your objective will set the stage for the rest of your resume. This is extra important as a project manager because you’ll be expected to communicate clear and specific objectives in your day-to-day work. That’s why this is a crucial place to make a strong first impression.

A great project manager resume objective example

“Certified PMP professional with 4 years experience in Saas software development projects looking to apply experience in the Fintech sector.”

This objective is simple, straightforward, and packed with information. It tells a story and makes recruiters curious to read more.

A poor project manager resume objective example

“Project manager looking to move to a new industry”

This objective raises more questions than it answers. Which industry are they looking to move to? Which industry are they coming from? A recruiter who reads this is more likely to shrug than to be excited to read more of your resume.

How to write a project manager resume summary

A summary follows many of the same rules as a resume objective. It should be concise and only give relevant information. However, here you’ll want to tell a bit more of a story and go into slightly more detail than if you were using an objective (your resume should have one or the other, not both).

A great project manager resume summary example

“Marketer looking to apply experience managing complex content campaigns and teams of writers to a new career in project management. Currently obtaining relevant certifications and skills through online learning to minimize the transition needed for this change.”

This summary does what the rest of the resume can’t, which is what makes it effective. Your resume can show that you’ve previously worked as a marketer, but it’s not going to tell the recruiter why you’re making the change. This summary concisely tells them exactly why you’re applying for this job. That context makes all of the other information on your resume more informative.

A poor project manager resume summary example

“Marketer looking to become a project manager. Experienced in organization, meeting deadlines, and handling day-to-day complexity. Confident in the ability to make an effective career transition and looking forward to the opportunity to prove abilities.”

This summary doesn’t tell the recruiter a single thing that they can’t learn elsewhere in your resume. In other words, it completely wastes their time. To make it worse, it’s padded with meaningless fluff that a recruiter will see straight through.

How to list additional details, like certifications, hobbies, interests, and volunteer experience

Relevant certifications are obviously an excellent addition to a project manager resume, but what about hobbies, interests, or volunteer work?

The best way to answer that question is to learn everything you can about the company where you’re applying. Does their company Instagram or LinkedIn have photos of employees volunteering? Be sure to mention your volunteering experience. Does the company give off a more relaxed or more formal vibe? Try making your resume a bit more relaxed or formal.

Once you’ve got a sense of the company, decide what hobbies and interests might resonate with them. For example, if you learn the head of HR is a golfer, maybe add that you’re an avid golfer yourself. Absent this kind of information, put yourself in a recruiter’s shoes and consider how a hobby or interest will come across. 

These small details should inform what else you include on your resume. You can even take things to the next level by incorporating company colors, fonts, or other aesthetic elements into your resume to make it look like you really belong there. Recruiters are human and making them like you as a person will make it more likely that they say “yes” and hire you.

How to write a project manager resume when you have limited or no experience

If you’re worried you don’t have the experience to get hired as a project manager, we have a few key tips to help:

• Use your resume summary to explain why you’d like to become a project manager. This will add context to your limited experience.
• Include experience and achievements which demonstrate you have skills relevant to project management. These could be things like running a club or organization, organizing an event, or even using common project management tools like Asana.
• Try and use free online learning to develop some project management skills. This will go a long way to showing a recruiter that you’re serious and self-motivated.

Ultimately, most companies are more interested in finding a project manager with the right attitude and mindset. Specific skills can be taught, but things like motivation and attention to detail are much harder to develop. If you can show you have these hard to find intangible qualities, you might even beat out a more experienced candidate.

How to target your resume for each application

As should be clear by now, tailoring your resume for each application is crucial. Recruiters can spot a generic cookie-cutter resume from a mile away. On the other hand, a resume that shows that you did your research and spent the time to carefully tailor your resume for this exact company and job will both make a good impression and show that you have what it takes to be an excellent project manager.

The process of tailoring your resume this way begins with a careful reading of the job ad. As mentioned, you want your resume to reflect precisely what’s asked for in the job ad as much as possible, right down to how things are worded. This will both help you get past ATS scanners as well as make it easy for a recruiter to check that you meet the relevant criteria.

Beyond that, doing more thorough research of a company to learn about its culture, values, and even what its needs are will make a big difference. For example, if you find an interview with the CEO in which she mentions that the company is looking to change or expand in some way, you can find a way to mention that in your objective. A recruiter that reads that will think “excellent, the boss will love this candidate.”

Doing this kind of research and making these customizations takes time. But remember, the upside of getting a better job has huge benefits for your day-to-day life. In other words, it’s worth the effort!

How to make your resume stand out

If you’ve got amazing experience, achievements, recommendations, etc. then your resume is already going to stand out. But for most of us, there are other ways we need to find to stand above all that competition.

Design

For project managers, the design of your resume should not “stand out” per say. You’re not applying for a position as an artist or designer, so flashy design that jumps out will just be a distraction. Instead, your design should be clean, modern, and allow the focus to be on the content of your resume.

Details that show you did your homework

Sometimes it’s the subtle things that really stand out. For example, when a recruiter notices that you’ve clearly tailored your resume to this job. This is the kind of “standing out” that you want from your resume. After all, you want to show that you think ahead, pay attention to details, and are supremely organized. Demonstrating those qualities is what will really get your resume to stand out.

Final things to note

Be sure to check the rules for the company you’re applying to and the country or state in which you’re applying has about resumes. In some cases, photos or other personal identifying information might be banned. Failing to comply with these rules could automatically disqualify you, or at best show that you didn’t do your research. Both are not messages you want to send as a project manager.

How Resumebuild.com’s resume builder tool can be utilized for an easy resume setup

So many steps in creating the perfect resume take time. Carefully reading the job ad, researching the company, deciding what to include, getting the wording just right, etc. What shouldn’t take time is getting the results to look great. Resumebuild.com’s resume tool takes care of that for you with stunning templates and designs that send all the right messages.

Award-winning architect Norman Foster once said, “As an architect you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.” This poetically articulates the mastery that the world’s best architects rely on to design the buildings and other structures that surround us.

If you’re looking to make your own mark in the industry and keep working your way up, you should take comfort in the fact that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of architects will grow by 8 percent from 2018 to 2028.

But don’t let this positive projection make you complacent in your job search! Architecture is still one of the most competitive industries to progress in, particularly at more prestigious architecture firms.

What’s more, the truth of the matter is that many - if not most - architects aren’t engaged in the types of projects they dream about. Instead of designing the next Petronas Towers or The Shard, they’re working on uninspiring constructions that won’t be featured in ArchDaily anytime soon.

If this sounds eerily familiar, it’s time to get working on your resume. Once you have a strong architect resume to apply with, your chances of getting your dream job will increase tenfold. To help you put together one recruiters will rush to read, we’ve outlined the most important guidelines and expert tips to keep in mind.

In this architect resume guide, you’ll discover:

• What constitutes a great architect resume
• How to correctly showcase your educational background
• Which skills you need to highlight (including examples from real-life job ads)
• Expert tips for making your achievements shine
• A speedy way to make an incredible architect resume

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How to Write an Architect Resume That Will Land You the Job

How to format it

Ensuring your resume features the optimal resume format is as crucial as perfecting the words within it. Just like you wouldn’t present a client with a messy mockup of your latest building - you also shouldn’t present recruiters with a resume that’s all over the place.

Without a doubt, a reverse chronological format is the best format for your architect resume. The reason we suggest using this format is because it highlights all of the work you’ve put in to get to where you are today. When a recruiter sees your resume, they’ll be able to immediately see all of the tremendous strides you’ve made in your career. This will, in turn, help them envision you making even more strides in the role they’re hiring for.

It’s also crucial to keep some resume layout rules in mind. We’ve shared the most fundamental ones for an architect resume below:

• • Number of Pages: Your resume must only be one page. 
  • Fonts to Use: Any that can easily be read at first glance, such as Constantia and
  • Corbel.
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any that may be misinterpreted due to how intricate they are, such as Zaphino and French Script.
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size

What makes a great architect resume?

While many candidates settle on creating a resume that’s ‘good enough,’ you need to set a higher standard for your own one if you want to snag your dream job.

If you’re wondering what makes a great architect resume, it boils down to two defining features: being well-formatted and well-written. In other words, the best resumes boast both looks and substance. By following our formatting recommendations above, and the expert tips we’ve shared throughout this guide, you’ll be able to create a resume that truly impresses.

That being said, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to the question, “What makes a great architect resume?” After all, every recruiter’s interpretation of a “great” resume is different. No two jobs nor recruiters are the same, so you’ll be shooting yourself in the foot by applying with the same resume to multiple jobs.

So there is one more feature you need to keep in mind in order to make a great architect resume: customization. As we discuss more extensively further below, targeting your resume for each application by customizing the contents of it will ensure that you address the specific criteria a recruiter is after.

How to give recruiters what they’re looking for

Recruiters are looking for architects that have an ideal blend of educational qualifications, soft and hard skills, and professional experiences. You can give them what they’re looking for by highlighting relevant and eye-catching information about each of these attributes in your resume.

Remember, your resume is like a blueprint for why you’re the perfect candidate. So in order to convince them of this fact, you’ll need to ensure your resume provides a proper outline as well as evidence of your suitability for the role at hand. 

How to prepare for a job interview as an architect

No matter how many times you’ve done them, job interviews are always a very intimidating experience. As you may know from experience, the more prepared you are, the better your chances will be for passing it. 

Careful preparation will allow you to both calm your nerves and ensure you’re ready to answer even the most trickiest of interview questions. If you really want to ace your interview, consider the following 5 expert tips:

• Practice answering standard interview questions: Do yourself a favor and practice answering common architect interview questions in the weeks and days leading up to your interview. There are countless resources online that provide questions to practice with, such as this one from The Architect’s Guide.

• Re-familiarize yourself with the job ad: Chances are that quite a bit of time has passed since you applied and you received the good news about your interview. That’s why it’s vital to re-familiarize yourself with the job ad. It provides the biggest hints as to what the recruiter is looking for and will ask you about, so it’s bound to help you in your pre-interview preparations.

• Conduct a deep dive research into the company: In addition to asking you about your professional experiences, it’s almost a guarantee the interviewer will quiz you about their company. It’s therefore essential to research some key stats about the company. Some common questions they may ask could relate to when the company was established, who their clients are, what their most notable achievements are, what their company goals are, who is on the executive team, and so on.

1. Practice nerve-calming techniques: Pre-interview jitters get the best of all of us.  Fortunately, there are plenty of simple anxiety-reducing breathing techniques and meditations that you can practice that will help you refocus and give you the best chance of succeeding.

1. Plan your trip in advance: Don’t leave working out your travel route to the last minute. Plan how you’ll get to the interview and factor in the chance of delays and other complications. While you should only head into the reception area 10 to 15 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment, aim to arrive at your destination at least 30 minutes before.

How to highlight your most important achievements

If there’s one thing your resume should do, it’s make your achievements shine like the Eiffel Tower at night. So what’s the best way to highlight your most important achievements on your resume? We’ve created a 3-step guide that we suggest you follow:

• Work out which achievements you should include in the first place: Don’t make the mistake of featuring your proudest achievements. You need to select achievements a recruiter would find eye-grabbing. To do this, scan the job ad for keywords that reveal what a recruiter is looking for from their ideal candidate. Create a list of these keywords.

• Match up your achievements with the keywords: Consult the list of keywords. Ask yourself, “Which ones relate to my work experiences in my current and previous roles?” Mark the keywords that apply to your achievements.

• Write out each achievement with the relevant keyword included: Now you can flesh out your achievements, based on each relevant keyword it relates to. It’s important to incorporate the keyword as naturally as possible into your achievement. That means that if it sounds like you jammed the keyword into your achievement, you’ll need to rewrite it until it flows.
  
  You should aim to make your achievement sound as impressive as possible by not only stating what the achievement is, but also the positive effect it had on the given company.

For example, if you’re targeting the keyword “prepare design proposals,” your achievement should look something like this:

• Regularly prepare design proposals based on client’s goals, aesthetic, and budget, resulting in a 400% increase in client onboardings since I joined.

This achievement does everything our 3-step guide outlines. It effectively focuses the achievement around the keyword and naturally incorporates it in. Moreover, it sounds impressive, because the candidate states both: what the achievement is (“Regularly prepare design proposals based on client’s goals, aesthetic, and budget”) and how it had a positive impact on the company (“...a 400% increase in client onboardings since I joined”). These two features make for a winning achievement in our books! 

Which soft and hard skills should you mention and how to do it correctly?

The skills you choose to highlight in your resume can make or break your application. If you don’t feature the skills a recruiter is prioritizing, your application will come to a crashing halt.

In order to pinpoint what these skills are, you need to take another look at the keywords the recruiter has included in the job ad. Focus on finding keywords related to the skills an architect will need to excel in the role.

You will quickly notice that architect skills can be split into two types: soft and hard skills.

1. Soft skills 

Soft skills describe any interpersonal skills that rely on a candidate’s people skills, communication skills, or other non-tangible abilities.

Below are some examples of top soft skills architects need to have that we’ve taken from real-life job ads:

• Presentation skills
• Oral communication skills 
• Written communication skills
• Ability to develop client relations
• Motivation
• Ability to be self directed
• Proactiveness
• Collaborative working skills
• Analytical thinking 
• Attention to detail

2. Hard skills 

Hard skills describe any technical skills candidates should have that are practical and measurable.

Below are some examples of top hard skills architects need to have that we’ve taken from real-life job ads:

• SketchUp proficiency
• ArchiCAD Essential proficiency
• Revit proficiency
• AutoCAD proficiency
• Architectural rendering
• Understanding of construction documentation
• Preparing design proposals 
• Producing detailed drawings
• Negotiating with contractors

So how do you correctly include your hard and soft skills in your resume? Firstly, you should pick 6 to 8 of them to star in a special “Skills” section on your resume. Be sure to list them rather than write them out in sentence form. You should also mention the most relevant skills you offer throughout your achievements section. It’s also advisable to include a few in your resume objective or summary as well.

Pro tip: Try your best to use the same wording the recruiter has used for each keyword, as doing so will help your resume get past Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This is a recruitment tool that analyzes if your resume should get the tick of approval, based on whether it includes certain keywords. That being said, your resume should also make sense to humans, so it’s best to modify the wording, if it doesn’t make sense to keep it as-is. 

How to list your education correctly

Architects are some of the most highly educated professionals around. As the Bureau of Statistics states, the typical first step you must take to become an architect is to graduate from a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture. You can then choose to go on to a master’s degree, which can take anywhere from 1 to 5 years to complete.

In order to list your education correctly on your resume, you must create an “Education” section.

You should ensure you avoid sharing too many details about your studies or writing in complete sentences, like this candidate did:

Education

• I have a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas and am currently completing my Master of Design Studies at the same university. I am completing my Master’s degree so I can one day secure a leadership position in an architecture firm.

Instead, provide a list of your degree/s in reverse-chronological order (i.e. starting at your current or most recent degree). Only include key details such as: 

• The degree name
• The name of the educational institution
• The years you were/are studying

Let’s now rewrite the above candidate’s education using this format:

Education

• 2020 - Present  Master of Design Studies, University of Arkansas
• 2014 - 2019  Bachelor of Architecture, University of Arkansas

See how much cleaner and sharper that formatting looks? If the candidate still wants to mention their leadership aspirations, they can mention them in their resume objective instead.

How to write a resume objective or summary and examples of both

A resume objective or resume summary should eloquently communicate to a recruiter in 2 to 4 sentences why they should see you as a serious contender for the job. Both of these sections have the potential to significantly transform a recruiter’s impression of you.

But it’s only necessary to include one of them in your resume. If you’re an entry-level candidate, a resume objective will best serve your needs, whereas experience architects should opt for a resume summary. Keep reading to discover how to expertly craft each one to perfection:

Resume objective

As an entry-level candidate, it can feel like your lack of experience will always be a constant barrier standing in your way. Rest assured that this won’t be the case for long if you can write a convincing resume objective.

In order to do so, you’ll need to ensure that you don’t make some common writing pitfalls like the following candidate did:

• Aspiring architect who’s currently studying architecture in college. I’ve only completed one internship, but I’m looking to gain some proper paid work experience at Woods & Johns Architecture Studio.

This candidate’s resume objective is undesirable for a number of reasons. First of all, they haven't provided any insightful details about themselves. This would make it difficult for a recruiter to form a connection with them.

What’s more, they emphasize their inexperience and the fact that they’re after a paid position. These points are both unnecessary to explicitly mention because not only is it already understood that entry-level candidates lack professional experience, but it’s also extremely taboo to bring up the topic of salary in your resume. One final mistake the candidate makes is that they’ve focused on their own needs instead of those of Woods & Johns Architecture Studio.

Let’s now look at an example of a well-written resume objective:

• Aspiring architect who’s currently studying a Bachelor of Architecture at California Polytechnic State University (3.6 GPA). After completing a 6-month internship at Prism Architectures where I received a glowing letter of recommendation from the managing director (attached), I am now seeking to apply my enthusiasm for architecture as well as my superior sketching skills to Woods & Johns Architecture Studio. 

This candidate’s resume objective is 100 times better than that of the previous candidate. They’ve provided a detailed, but not overly-wordy overview of themselves and why they’re an excellent candidate for the position.

Moreover, they’ve expertly addressed the qualities the recruiter is looking for in their ideal candidate by highlighting their education, internship experience, relevant hard and soft skills, and enthusiasm. As if that wasn’t already impressive enough, they seamlessly conveyed what an asset they would be if they were hired by Woods & Johns Architecture Studio by mentioning the letter of recommendation they received.

Resume summary

Once you’ve been working for a couple of years as an architect you should switch to using a resume summary. The reason being that a resume summary will help you keep progressing in your career by making it clear to a recruiter how you’ll smoothly transition into the position they’re hiring for.

Given how important a resume summary is, you should work on it so it doesn’t read as poorly as this candidate’s summary does:

• Experienced architect currently working at a good architecture firm wants a full-time position at Mirage Architects. I aim to learn everything I can from all of the talented architects there so I can one day head my very own architecture firm.

As far as the recruiter is concerned, this candidate’s resume objective is completely forgettable as it would just blend in with those of most other candidates. That’s because they failed to provide any specific and relevant details that are unique and eye-catching.

Another mistake the candidate made is that they framed the opportunity to work at Mirage Architects as just another step towards their ultimate goal - heading up their own architecture firm. While it’s fine to mention career goals, they should always be connected to the company you’re applying for.

Now that you know what to avoid, let’s see what a fantastic resume summary looks like:

• Architect with 5 years of experience currently working in one of the country’s top architecture firms is seeking a full-time position at Mirage Architects. I aim to use my 

out of the box thinking and problem solving strategies as well as my award-winning 3D design skills to attract new high-profile clients to the company. 

If you can put as much effort into writing your resume summary as this candidate did, you can expect to receive a lot of job offers. The reason this candidate’s resume summary would strike a chord with the recruiter is because it really sells their suitability for the job. They convey that they can offer exactly what the recruiter is after: strong work experience, useful hard and soft skills, and drive.

The candidate has even mentioned that they won awards for their work, which would certainly spark a recruiter’s interest in them. Last but not least, the candidate makes it clear how they aim to use their skills and experiences to make a positive contribution to Mirage Architects. There isn’t any more that a recruiter could ask for in a resume summary!

How to target your resume for each application

If there’s one task every recruiter for architects has on their resume checklist - it’s to ascertain whether a candidate has targeted their resume for the application. Recruiters don’t want to just hire highly-skilled architects who would be happy to work anywhere - they want to hire highly-skilled architects who are determined to work at their company.

The easiest way to show your eagerness to work in a particular role as well as your suitability to excel in it is to target your resume for each application. Yes, that means that you can no longer send the same resume to every architecture firm!

You need to get into the habit of modifying your resume each time you apply for a new job. This will ensure your resume addresses the specific criteria that each unique firm is looking for. As we previously discussed, it all comes down to naturally incorporating the keywords the recruiter has used in a job ad throughout relevant sections of your resume.

The strategy of using keywords from a job ad to select the most relevant skills and achievements to feature in your resume is the most effective way you can target your resume for each application. If you follow this strategy, you’ll be able to make it crystal clear to the recruiter that you represent everything they’ve been searching for.

How to make your resume stand out

You’ll be happy to learn that making your resume stand out isn’t nearly as complex as the design configurations for the Burj Khalifa. All it requires you to do is go the extra mile to catch a recruiter’s eye. If you want to learn how to do this, follow our top recommendations below:

• Skip gaudy resume templates: It can be tempting to use a flashy resume template with different colors, funky fonts, and eye-catching patterns to get a recruiter’s attention. After all, you want to show off your eye for design, right? Keep in mind that if your resume has too many design features, it will both distract the recruiter and cause the ATS difficulties when rendering your resume. Your best bet is to stick to using a simple but professional-looking resume template.

• Include a link to your portfolio: Your architect portfolio showcases your very best work. So it makes sense to link to it in your resume. Doing so will give recruiters the opportunity to see your skills, design approach, and talent with their very own eyes. You can add a link to your professional website, profile on your current company’s page, and/or your Behance portfolio in the “Contact Information” section of your resume. And what should you do if you don’t yet have an online portfolio? We suggest you get working on it!

• Look for opportunities to upskill: It may mean it’s time for you to upskill if you’re gunning for a particular job, but fall short of what the recruiter is looking for. After all, the only way to gain the skills you lack is to start developing them. Consider asking for extra training in your current workplace, enrolling in an online course, or getting your masters. Remember, the more skills you have at your disposal, the more you’ll be able to match recruiters’ expectations.

3. How to Make a Professional Resume in Just Minutes Using Resumebuild.com’s Resume Builder Tool 

We know that you can accurately sketch a building you just saw with your eyes closed. But how do you think you’d fare following our resume guide above? 

We’ve tried to explain all of the tips, tricks, and steps for making a stunning architect resume as clearly as possible. But at the end of the day, making a resume by yourself is a laborious task. Moreover, even if you try your best to follow our guide to a tee, your resume may still fall flat.

That’s why we want to share an alternative method that’s guaranteed to help you achieve far better results. Introducing Resumebuild.com’s resume builder tool. We designed this online resume builder to help job seekers like yourself to speedily create an attractive architect resume that recruiters will be desperate to read.

Forget about wasting time remembering all of our expert tips or worrying that you’ve broken this or that rule. Our resume builder is designed to guide you through all the steps you need to take to craft an ideal resume.

You’ll find it a breeze to input the information needed to complete each resume section. If you’re stuck for ideas about what to include or how to word certain sections, our pre-written examples will help you out. Ready to begin right away? Get started at Resumebuild.com.