Finding a job after graduation

In January, Jill Showell – Managing Director and Lucy Cahill – Principal from the Bespoke Careers London office, were invited to the University of Westminster as part of their ‘Employability Week’ to present to final year Interior Architecture students about how to find a job after graduation. 

They discussed the background of Bespoke Careers, highlighting the fact that our CEO Lindsay Urquhart herself studied her PT II at the university before opening the business 15 years ago!

Key topics covered were:

• The current market – the major sectors that are currently active in London and the big design trends are the moment.
  
  
• Skills – what practices are looking for and the main skills and aptitudes to get you ahead.
  
  
• Salaries – what to expect and how to ask.
  
  
• Applying for jobs – going direct versus using a recruitment agency and how they both work.
  
  
• Managing applications – being organised, track your applications and always follow up.
  
  
• CV tips – keep them simple, consistent and don’t have any spelling errors!
  
  
• How to apply – proof-reading your applications, have various versions of your CV that can be tailored.
  
  
• Immersing yourself in the market – attending industry events, networking, using social media to your advantage by following key designers, practices, architects, news outlets.
  
  
• Interview tips – see our top ten tips here.

The room was then opened to questions from the students – ranging from what to wear to an interview and how to submit your portfolio, to whether it’s necessary to have REVIT skills and how to be realistic about what your salary expectations are. 

Later in the week, three consultants from the interior design and architecture teams went back to the university to conduct ‘mock interviews’ with the students – giving them ten minutes to present their university portfolio of work to them before reviewing it and asking them questions about their experiences in an interview-style discussion. 

The Bespoke Careers London team were extremely grateful to have the opportunity to present to the students and to encourage them to always do their research and ultimately be themselves when looking for a future role within the architecture and design industry.

If you’re looking for advice and guidance post-graduation, get in touch with one of our consultants in your local offices or search our current vacancies.