Architects seeking Architects - How to write a great architecture job ad

With competition for great architectural talent at an all-time high, how can you ensure that your job stands out from the crowd? When you're writing copy, try to remember that there is something unique and great about every job role. It seems obvious, but many firms forget this, and may miss out on valuable talent.

Many adverts I see—not only on practice's own websites, but paid adverts on popular job boards such as Archinect jobs—make the common mistake of simply listing what the employer wants. In a market as candidate-short as the one we find ourselves in, even the most popular of practices need to do more to beat the competition and win the war on talent.

A job advert is an opportunity to sell not only the role, but also your firm. Rather than simply listing what requirements you are looking for such as software skills and sector experience, you might want to consider including the following:Your workHave you won or been nominated for any design awards? Are you widely published? Do you have a diverse project range? Are your projects particularly recession proof?

Practice type

If you take projects through all stages as opposed to focusing on design or delivery, you should definitely acknowledge this. To a prospective candidate, having an opportunity to take a project through from inception to completion can be very appealing.

Projects

What jobs are you currently working on? Pick a really interesting one and use it as an example of the sort of projects the successful applicant could be working on. The more detail you give the better. Project size, contract value, location and end user details bring the job to life.

Location

Where is your studio based? Are you in a cool neighbourhood like Bankside or Shoreditch? If so, shout about it. If your neighbourhood isn't worth shouting about but you are next to a transport hub like Victoria this can appeal to a wider group of applicants.

Lifestyle

Do you promote a strong work/life balance? Offer flexible working? Write about any team getaways you do, social events, if you have a football team or do charity work. Sometimes the more obscure the offering the better, you're trying to stand out after all.

The final touches

Once you have a draft copy, make sure to ask a number of people to proofread it, and before signing it off, re-read it and ask yourself if you have sold your organisation and the opportunity as much as possible.

Finally, include the salary range—stating 'competitive salary' isn't telling anyone anything. It reads like you don't actually know what you are going to pay someone. If you offer overtime, a fantastic bonus scheme or you give any exceptional benefits include these too.