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Cleinss
Joined: 01 Oct 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Grafton, WI
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 Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:54 pm Post subject: Fresh and new yet unemployed |
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This post goes out to all of the graduates out there fresh out of college looking for work. In my situation, I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture during the end of August. After moving back to Southeast Wisconsin, I have been searching for firms and sending out my resume all over. However, out of 30 firms in the area, I have received a total of one email saying that the firm is looking for more experience.
The question I have is how to start gaining experience. I am fresh out of school with only Studio work under my belt. I received extremely high marks in all of my classes including the rigorous Studio courses, but because I have NO experience, I'm not even getting called or emailed for an interview. So what's the problem? Do I smell or something? :?
I am hoping it's not the resume. I have had several professors and people in the field telling me it looks good. I have been told several times not to fill in the white space because it may lead me to a position where I will fall short. I've attached the resume. If anyone can help, please do. Moreover, if anyone knows anyone in the Milwaukee or Southeast Wisconsin area hiring please inform me. :roll:
Last edited by Cleinss on Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:12 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Architorture
millennium club
Joined: 31 Jul 2004
Posts: 1376
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| Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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persistance...
just keep sending and calling... even some face time wouldn't hurt, if they see you are interested in a position they will take notice... learn everything you can about the firms so you can tailor your stuff to their needs or their type of work...
sometime doing mass-produced resumes and cover letters doesn't work... if its tailored people will realize you did some research into them and that you want them [specifically] to hire you....
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twsarch
Joined: 13 Oct 2004
Posts: 1
Location: New York
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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Cleinss
It’s really hard to get the first job. My first job in a firm paid $5 an hour, I considered it basically an unpaid internship. I took it just for the experience passing up a job that paid triple (this was in the 80’s). It was a summer position when still in college. I was given the job even thou they didn’t need any help, they where sort of mentoring me. It lead to a job the next summer with them with better pay. When I graduated with my bachelors in 91, the construction and architecture world was in a really big slump. It was next to impossible to get a job in a firm. I didn’t get a job in architecture till 93 after graduating. Times are better now so you will have a better chance.
Have you considered getting a job in construction? Construction experience is very valuable in a career in architecture, and when I am involved in hiring new staff, consider it a plus. I realize construction is hard on the hands and may interfere with your violin playing.
I would look at your resume again, make it look “more architectural”. I’m not saying to put graphics on it, just look at the layout and font. Take another look at the content, for example, putting personal information a resume nowadays is not recommended. Avoid phrases like “people person”, good communicator” and other nonspecific filler terms. There are guides on the web that can help you with this. I think the New York State employment site has such info, and I would guess other states do to, possibly tailored for your area.
Good luck.
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TWS
Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 5
Location: NEW YORK STATE
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| I just figured out I have a previous user name on this group. That would be the one to contact.
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hanhnguyen
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 8:21 am Post subject: |
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| I had some education for 3 years in Architecture school and started working as a drafter with $7.5/hr (1989). How about joining engineering firm. They need Landscape Architecs or Planner. The sarting salary may not be attractive, but they might willing to train you on some skills such as site grading, preparing submission packages, landscaping for ponds,...Specially enginners are hard to find these days. Ask them to give you guidance, people are normally nice and they wouldn't mind to spent 15 minutes to give you advice. Good luck.
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TWS
Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 5
Location: NEW YORK STATE
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 8:57 am Post subject: |
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IF MONEY IS AN ISSUE, YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK TO A DIFFERENT BUT SIMILAR FIELD OF WORK. AT THE MOMENT I AM HAVING SOME MONEY TROUBLE AND ALWAYS SUSPECTED I WAS MAKING A LITTLE LESS THEN I SHOULD BE, SO I DID SOME CHECKING, LOOKS LIKE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS MAKE MORE THEN A “BUILDING” ARCHITECT, ABOUT 120% AS MUCH. A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER WE USE HERE WHO IS A ONE MAN SHOW WITH A RENTED OFFICE BROUGHT HOME OVER $200K LAST YEAR, THIS IS BASED ON WHAT HE SAID ABOUT HIS BILLINGS AND OVERHEAD IN TWO CONVERSATIONS, SO I COULD BE WRONG. HE HAS HAD HIS OWN BUSINESS FOR ONLY A COUPLE YEARS. I AM A REGISTERED ARCHITECT, WORKING FOR ANOTHER ARCHITECT AND I MAKE $61K. I THINK I SHOULD BE MAKING AROUND $70K TO $80K BASED ON CHECKING AROUND, LOCATION (WESTCHESTER AREA, NY), EXPERIENCE (13 YEARS WORKING IN ARCHITECTURE, 8 YEARS AS A PROJECT MANAGER, 2 YEARS REGISTERED) AND THE TYPE OF WORK I AM DOING HERE (COMMERCIAL, MUNICIPAL AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS). NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE I AM DOING GOOD LOOKING BUILDINGS, SO I DON’T CONSIDER THIS IN THE EQUATION. (ANY THOUGHTS ON PAY WOULD BE APPRECIATED)
IF GETTING A JOB EASY IS THE ISSUE, SURVEYORS ARE IN DEMAND AROUND HERE AND ALL NEED AT LEAST ONE EMPLOYEE, IT TAKES A MIN OF TWO PEOPLE IN THE FIELD TO DO THE JOB.
IF ARCHITECTURE IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WANT TO GO, GOOD LUCK. IT’S KIND OF LIKE BEING A MUSICIAN. MOST DON’T MAKE ANY MONEY, IT’S HARD TO GET STARTED BUT THE FEW STARS AT THE TOP MAKE A TON OF MONEY. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS.
TWS, AKA TWSARCH
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Architorture
millennium club
Joined: 31 Jul 2004
Posts: 1376
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| Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| the real answer is specializing... if you become a specialized designer you can make heaps...just have to find something you like that you could specialize in
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dhotnsweet
Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:28 am Post subject: Hello |
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hello,
I read ur post and thought about it ..it seems we both are sailing in the same boat.
Even i am trying to get my first Job here in USA. I had a good gob and a good growth chance back at my country.. I have a experience of 1 year in concrete construction. but here they donot consider it since the technology is different.
Even my question is how can u gain experince without working.
Best of Luck for ur Job search.
From
Dhotnsweet.
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Architorture
millennium club
Joined: 31 Jul 2004
Posts: 1376
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:08 am Post subject: |
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this is the big question...
employers want to see experience on the resume in order to get a job...but you need a job in order to get that experience...
alot of it has to do with finding the right firm for you...if they have an interest in you they will not have a problem providing you with that experience b/c they hope to gain from it over time...
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isoteque
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 11
Location: miami, fl
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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dude, quit faxing......grab your portfolio, resume, and your best outfit, and show up to these architecture firms. lots of times people are tied up, and have no time to look at every single resume, so it they just get piled and piled. A friend of mine did that, and it worked for him, and it's something i'd definitely do if i were looking for a job. luckily for me i got an internship while in school, then finished, and was hired full time, salary, benefits....because they liked my work.
V!
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mhaltiner
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Newport News Va
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| Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:56 am Post subject: |
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If the local that you are looking for a job in is not growing, (extensive construction and expansion) then there will not be a job to get. And be prepaired for cheap. Cause there is not much money in this field, either as an architect, or engineer, etc. Engineers starting in my area make about $16.00 hr out of college with 0 experience. Architectural firms, especially small local ones swing from busy to slow. Ownership changes hands regularly.
Look at temp agencies for a job in an arch frim. It will get your foot in the door.
_________________
Matt
Mechanical Designer
Mathew J. Thompson C/E |
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andrey.sbi
Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 2:40 am Post subject: |
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Hi everebody! Help me please!! 
I'm new immigrant from Russia in the US. (I won the Green Card and moved to the US). I was architect in Russia and have 3 year of expiriens. Now my resume anlucky (not vailed). Nobody answers to it. I see my expiriens means zero, nothing in the US. May be Russia symbolize cold winter, vodka, bears...
Give me advice , please. What can I do.
Unfortunately, my English not fluent yet. I arrived two month ago.
You can reed my resume in attachment.
Nevertheless, I suppose , that I can begin work ,step by step, according my occupation.
Andrey.
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_________________
During 1997- 2003 I graduated architectural department of St.Petersburg State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture & Architecture named after I.Ye.Repin Russian Academy of Arts |
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grogers
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 21
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 7:18 am Post subject: message to andrey |
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Andrey - Keep the faith! I would recommend you get a job in construction while learning the English language. This would acquaint you with local construction methods and materials, and give you a better understanding of the English language. However, some of the English spoken on a construction site would not be appropriate at an office!
Your construction experience, and better english skills would be attractive to an architectural firm. I don't think an employer would be interested in teaching you English. They have a hard enough time training their employees on the latest software versions.
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andrey.sbi
Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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I see now , that my resume is not in American tradition!
This is funny , unusual and amazing resume . It need make over.
What is improve for it?
p.c.
I'm going to study construction and building codes in college for spring semester in 2005.
_________________
During 1997- 2003 I graduated architectural department of St.Petersburg State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture & Architecture named after I.Ye.Repin Russian Academy of Arts |
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LeCorbusier
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 139
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| Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2004 2:43 pm Post subject: You suck |
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Has anyone even taken the time top look at this dudes resume? Who cares if you ran a - forum abuse - marathon, and in all of my years I have never seen someone mention that they are married.
There is a reason why people are not calling you, they are too busy lauging it up. Dude, this resume sucks real bad.
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