Architecture is a field that requires a broad knowledge of the subject to excel in the job. Various companies conduct interviews to evaluate every candidate’s proficiency to exhibit efficient results to the company’s clients. Thus it is essential to perform accordingly in an interview. Proper planning of a strategy to answer the expected question in the interview would help you achieve. Planning such strategies helps the candidate to evoke confidence. Let us know about the ‘Architecture Interview Questions’.
An interview may involve both open-ended as well as close-ended questions. Open-ended questions are expected at the beginning and end of an interview. In contrast, close-ended questions are often asked at the core part of the interview. These questions involve technical questions that are required to perform the job well. An interview is not only a way to evaluate the knowledge one has on the field but also to assess the candidate’s personality, attitude and smartness. Thus it is significant to maintain a decent elegance in speaking as well as in the posture of the candidate. Moreover, presence of mind and peace of mind are two other vital factors to achieve your win in the interview. Thus this article will discuss the various questions expected in an interview conducted to hire an architect and the appropriate way of answering the questions.
Questions expected
In a vast subject like architecture, it is impossible to predict the questions in an interview precisely. However, educating yourself effectively about the subject matter would gain you more probability of answering the questions. But knowledge alone is not enough to triumph in your venture of interview. Instead, confident and intelligent communication skill is also vital to victory. Practising the method of answering in an interview would help to attain the confidence to face the interview. Below are some questions that one expects in an interview for architects.
Tell me about yourself
This is a common question that marks the beginning of every job interview. Still, this question has to be answered carefully as these will be the candidate’s first words delivered to the interviewer. The beginning should always be perfect. Starting trouble and the hesitation one faces at the beginning of an interview can become the reason to lose confidence throughout the entire process of the interview. Thus practising the very first part of self-introduction is vital. Answering this question can be tricky as the answer should be brief and reveal about you. Therefore try to respond in a few sentences. But these sentences should accommodate everything the interviewer needs to know about you. Only mention facts about yourself and be careful not to take the conversation to boast about yourself. Do not mention personal information such as marital status, family members, financial background etc. Also, personal ideologies and thoughts regarding politics, religion or any other ideologies should be neglected in the interview. While individual interests, hobbies and talents should be mentioned. Any achievements in your life that are relevant to your job also should be mentioned.
Why do you prefer to work for this company?
To answer this question, one should explore the past and present of the company. Investigating this fact will acknowledge you with the values and achievements of the company. This information contributes to the reasons for opting for the company. Do not simply bluff about the company to get the job. This could be easily caught as the answer would not be factual-based. Include only facts about the company that you know. You can support your points by giving various examples of the successful projects that the company has undertaken. That would make your answer more trustworthy. Also, mention any personal reasons you chose the company, such as the salary or closer location to home.
Who do you see as your role model in architecture?
Answering this question should be easy as it only takes finding the right personality in architecture and having an in-depth awareness of the person. This can be pre-prepared and thus will be able to find the answer quickly. A thorough study of your role model is the only key to answering this question. Mentioning similarities between you and your role model can lay a firm ground for your answer. Talk about the best thing you like about the person’s works and how those have inspired you. Conclude your response with gratitude to your role model for inspiring you to fly high in your carrier.
What are the factors that determine the structure of your project?
The immediate answer to this question should be the need and desires of the client. Answering this question should reveal how much you consider and care for the client’s requirements. The rest of the answers should follow crucial factors in the building process, such as safe construction, comfortable space for each room, etc. After satisfying all these requirements, you can develop unique ideas that help you finish your project best. Include an imaginative example of a project and how you would deal with it. Also, you can mention any project you have done in your past carrier and explain the steps you followed to complete it. Studying the works of famous expert architects helps you determine the points you require for your answer.
Why should we hire you?
This is to be answered by concentrating on your skills and achievements in architecture. Mention briefly how capable you are at dealing with every project. Include examples of your past projects to support the points of your skills. Mention your successful ventures in adverse situations in your carrier. Let the interviewer know your determination to work hard for your project under any circumstances by providing suitable instances from your page. Be aware of the beautiful journey of the company to this point. This would help you spot some similar features you see in yourself and the company and prove how compatible you are with the company. Speak out about the emotional connection you felt with the company while applying for the job, making you loyal to the company’s work. Moreover, speak confidently to prove that you are confident with your skills and motives to try for this job. Also, politely point out the documents you have produced as proof of your skills.
Which style of architecture is the best according to you?
The best style of architecture you prefer should be the one you have practically explored in your previous projects. This question is also a way to understand the past background of your professional life and your most comfortable working zone. This is also an opportunity for the interviewer to analyze your extensive knowledge of architecture. Thus be aware of selecting a style that you have known meticulously. Mention the style’s critical features that make it valuable and trustworthy to the clients. Mention examples of great monuments or structures of the world that have been built out of this style.
What is your opinion about sustainable architecture?
Since sustainable architecture is one of the most demanded forms, give definite points that make it suitable for today’s world. Pollution, global warming, climatic change and many other environmental vulnerabilities have paved the way for sustainable energy. Thus describe how sustainable fuels like solar and wind energy contribute to sustainable architecture. Suggest organic materials that are suitable for building a strong and sustainable structure. Give examples of famous structures that have been constructed using sustainable architecture. Contribute creative ideas and glorify the need for such architecture in today’s scenario.
How would you handle multiple projects?
Answer the question after estimating your capacity to handle projects. Multiple projects may make it harder to complete the project within the deadline. However, constant practice in the field will eventually increase your power. But for the time being specify your true potential in managing multiple projects. Let the interviewer know that you won’t risk efficiency in the project no matter what. Thus, if taking on numerous projects does not allow you to handle the work with your usual efficiency, avoiding such situations until you gain that capability would be appropriate. But also let the interviewer know that you are ready to work on that to attain the potential to deal with multiple projects in the future.
Conclusion
Knowing these common questions would make you confident and partially prepared for the interview. However, there are a few more things to be noticed in your interview. This includes communication skills, posture, tone of speaking, facial expressions, dressing, etc. Constant practice before your interview would help you excel in these aspects. The primary quality you need to maintain your confidence throughout your interview is to be yourself and speak what you know—pretending to be someone else would only result in lacking your confidence. Relaxing for a few hours before the interview would help you attain presence of mind. Take special care of your diet and health to give a vibrant appearance at the interview. Spectate sample interviews from ‘You Tube’ to get an idea of the interview. Techniques such as meditation yoga may help you refresh your mind attain confidence. Try to avoid negative thoughts and believe in yourself.
FAQs
1. How to lure a client into selecting my company?
The best way to lure clients is to exhibit previous successful company projects. This will prove the efficiency of the company. The next thing you can do is explain the step-by-step process of the plan understandably so that the clients would attain trust in your work. Give space and opportunity for the clients to express their ideas. Do not try to suppress any ideas upon the clients that they have constantly neglected.
2. How would a fresher acknowledge his skills to the interviewer?
For a fresher who doesn’t have previous projects to exhibit to the interviewer, the only key to prove their skills is to submit the project details from your college and any other relevant certificates showing their abilities and achievement. Also, give your best at answering technical questions. That would help to prove your awareness in the field.
3. How could I make my ‘about me’ brief if I have a lot of achievements and hobbies to mention?
In such cases, only mention the relevant achievements and interests of the job. Try only to say the facts and not explain them vastly. The idea is to give an overall picture of your personality and how your personality is useful for the company. Thus, reveal only the part of your personality that actually concerns the need of the company. You could even ask the interviewer if they require to hear about your personal interests out of the professional life.
4. What if I couldn’t remember the information required for the answer?
Try to take a moment and remember the data. If that doesn’t work, politely inform the interviewer that you cannot answer now. In such instances, the crucial thing to do is not to panic and tell yourself that this is not the end of the world. Do not let yourself down, and maintain your confidence even in the worst interview scenarios. Letting down would produce a weak image of you to the interviewers. Every company always prefers a strong professional employee to their community. This could become the reason for not considering you for the job.
5. How will I overcome fear at the interview?
Fear is a common phenomenon in interviews. Intense knowledge of the subject and practising communication skills help decrease your fear. However, changing your perspective about such interviews is the long-term remedy for overcoming fears. Try viewing the interview as only a tiny part of your life and realize that more extraordinary experiences are still waiting in the future. Realize that failures are very typical and that they are one of the factors that make us human. Know that losses are what lays the bed to welcome victory later. Read and watch motivational videos about famous people known for overcoming fears and flying high to their goals. Talk to your friends and family to get mental support for your interview. If you are facing extreme fear, it’s best to meet a psychologist and get professional help to overcome it.
