About 146,000 new architecture jobs (and engineering ones) are projected to be added between 2020 and 2030. So the role you’ve recently applied and interviewed for probably didn’t exist two years ago. Still, if you’re concerned about losing an opportunity, you may accept an architect job offer not aligned with your accumulated experience and growth goals.
Or, you may be on the other end of the spectrum wherein you have multiple offers and are having difficulty choosing.
Either way, it’s vital to remain strategic and consider all the facts before making a final decision. Explore your options and start with these seven factors:
Salary
When choosing from several architecture firm jobs, signing with the one offering the largest salary can be tempting. So it’s better to look at a role from different angles. For instance, a higher paycheck usually involves more people to manage. But sometimes, it also correlates with specialization.
The best way to go about this is to dig deeper into what the compensation entails. It’s also crucial to be honest with yourself if you’re willing to take on a position that will involve high-pressure responsibilities.
Benefits
The benefits package referred to here spans medical, retirement, and professional. Medical comprises health coverage for you and your loved ones. It also includes dental, vision, life, and/or long-term disability insurance.
Meanwhile, potential employers may also pay up your retirement plan contributions, but this perk typically has an eligibility requirement.
Lastly, some companies shoulder fees for professional memberships, licensing and certifications, and conferences. It’s an investment in their business, as a licensed workforce boosts their competence and credibility. Some of the certifications pursued by architects are the American Institute of Architects (AIA), LEED certification, and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Vacation
Ask the architecture recruitment expert about a firm’s personal time off (PTO) policy, public holidays, and sick leaves. Aside from the figures, take the time to understand the quality of their employees’ vacation timeIs it truly an event in which you will not work? If not, then probe why this is the case.
Remember that no matter your job’s importance, you need to spend at least 10 days each year away from work. Use your vacation to get inspired and revitalized – this is where great ideas are often born.
Culture Fit
The architecture recruitment team has likely found you a good fit. That’s why they’ve made an offer. However, it’s also vital on your end to see if you share the same values as the company. However, it may be harder to determine if you will be compatible with the team.
In this case, try to check what present and former employees say about the firm. You can do your own due diligence by reading reviews on company review platforms, such as Glassdoor.
Office Location
Is the office address within your current city, or do you need to relocate? It can be easier to go with the flow if you have no initial plans to move but find the architect job offer too incredible to pass.
But before you leave everything behind, consider if the opportunity is really worth it. Another thing you can do is to check if the state or city you’ll relocate to is among the best places to work for architecture professionals.
Goal Alignment
As with your past architecture jobs, think of this new one as a way to advance your career. It helps to identify your goals before getting onboard with any firm. Define your short- and long-term goals and see if the position’s roles and responsibilities align with them.
Also, inquire about the growth provided to new-hires and tenured employees. Sometimes, it’s quick to climb the ladder in the first few years. Then people hit a wall and plateau after that. You don’t want to be stuck in a job that turns out to be less than what you expect.
Continued Education
Architecture firm jobs evolve as the job market changes. Therefore, a company must be supportive if you want to add to your skills or specialize. Supporting your success can mean paying for additional training or launching programs that benefit your career.
You should also do a pulse check regarding knowledge-sharing. How freely do members of your future team share what they learn if they’re sent to a particular conference or encouraged to take a specific program? Moreover, how often does this happen? Will you have time to pursue personal and professional growth while contributing to the firm’s success?
Say Yes With Confidence
Uncertainty can fall upon even the best of us when faced with the prospect of switching architecture jobs. Interior Talent is a recruitment firm that supports professionals like you as they transition to a new job. Our experts understand the unique challenges in the architecture industry and guide you in identifying the opportunities accordingly.
Reach out to learn about effectively taking your career to the next level.