A tribute to my infamous Job Hunting Series
Job hunting - feels like an impossible musical chair sometimes (2019)
“I don’t want to be tortured by hope” – Lee Yoon-seok, ‘My Father Is Strange’ Ep 49 (2017)
Whenever I participate in networking events, I’m often asked how to get a job (in an architecture office).
Having spent almost two years finding work while trying to bury the envy I have of my peers – I know as well as anyone else, it came down to a combination of hard work, effort, the willingness to grow and a bit of luck.
But if you were to ask for a sincere answer, I would say, it was a matter of desperation.
Desperation.
Quite dismissive I know, but looking back on the things that I’ve done – they were spun around from a curiosity and interest catalysed by a desperate time when I was trying to land a foot through the architectural job.
Throughout the two years of trying to find work at an architectural practice, I treated job hunting as a creative endeavour. It entailed trying new things in hopes that I would be a shiny asset given that anyone can pick up Revit or ArchiCAD quickly. I created watercolour paintings of architects’ built architecture (because I was a Steven Holl wannabe), or offered to write for architecture practices (because I have been told that architects HATE writing – but a lot of people seem to depend on ChatGPT now *cue judgemental side eye) or even trying to use my podcast as an alternative method to network and introduce myself. While I don’t know how effective these demonstrations were (spoiler alert, probably not given that I don't know how to advocate for myself) – they gave me other avenues that gave me alternative solutions when I was about to surrender architecture as a profession altogether. The irony of it all is, just as I was about to conclude my architecture chapter and become a student again, a hand finally reached out and pulled me through the door.
At this point, I can hear some of you say “But you’re here now! Why think about the past?”
Because I don’t want to be part of the patronising voices that feel like an echo chamber on how to get a job. I don’t want to be that person giving a sympathetic-boarder lining-patronising look to those who are experiencing difficulties in getting work. I don’t want to disregard and take what I’ve been through for granted, and I don’t want to lose my understanding of that struggle, and that bitterness that grounded my realities of the difficulties in finding work.
So – now that you’ve read my creative endeavours, you’re still probably wondering How To Get A Job? (Within the architecture profession?). Along with what I mentioned above, I would also sprinkle a few more:
Look beyond architecture
I get that we may have become architecture snobs and want to stay within our industry, but something that I reckon would’ve helped me a lot earlier was if I looked into industries that are connected to architecture (builder, structural engineer, building designer…)
It is okay to directly ask for a job “I just want to put myself out there and say that I am interested in being part of your team. And I want to contribute my skills to your firm…”
My friends may disagree with me on this – but, I would rather be upfront than meandering my way into asking for work. Believe me, I’ve seen people who have tried this, and I can tell by the architect’s eyes that they were not having a bar of it.
Networking can be challenging – so network in spaces that you enjoy
Sincerity means a lot to me. So I prefer to meet people by volunteering for architecture-related events (Open House Melbourne, Robin Boyd Foundation) where we can discuss common interests and be comfortable in asking for advice without feeling apologetic for your agenda.
Lastly, something I always like to preface others whenever they ask about the process of job hunting – is that one will need to prepare for rejection. Even if it does feel personal, rejection is something that needs acclimatising to for us to appreciate the success.
Times are hard – and job hunting feels like an awful musical chair. Having said – a recipe of motivation, resilience, creative practice and hard work are your key catalysts to steering where you need to be. Dare I say, it might not be architecture, but perhaps architecture-related.
Related Articles: Just for Laughs - Job Hunting Be Like This (2019); Hanging on by the thread of Sanity During Unemployment (2019)
Architect Victoria, ‘How to get a job’. Published 2022. https://www.architecture.com.au/vic-chapter/architect-victoria-social-housing-early-career-architecture
As always, below are websites I’ve used as well as being introduced to during job hunting for an architecture-related job.
This entry is while the clouds gently gather on Wurundjeri Land