Re: Employment

Re: Employment

To everyone who has had a hard time finding a job.

I graduated in November 2010 as an architect and have since, written to sixty two offices across Australia in search of employment.

This booklet is a compilation of varied responses that I received from well known architects.

-Anitra Baliga.

24/11/10

Anitra,

Thank you for your interest in our Practice. We would be very happy for you to visit in January. Unfortunately the practice currently has it’s intake of graduates and staff for next year.

I will also be away from the office until the 17th of January on annual holidays. Please phone to arrange a time to visit the office when you are in Brisbane.

RegardsPaul Hotston

Phorm Architecture

1/12/10

Hello Anitra,Thank you for your email. Unfortunately we are not look-ing for additional staff at the moment. I hope your search for work goes well.

Other Brisbane architects you could try are:AardvarkPhormOwen and VokesJames RussellDonovan HillRichard KirkArkhefield RegardsAngus MunroEast Office Architects

Anitra Thanks for your application and kind words, it is great to hear that the work we are doing is being embraced by a wider group of people. We put in a huge amount of effort and passion and knowing that it resonates outside of Australia is humbling. I am very impressed with your knowledge and insight into our process and have little doubt that you would be a good asset in any office. With regards to work, while I am busy at present and the foreseeable future, I do have a full complement of staff that are meeting the practices needs at present. My studio plans to always remain small (5-7) as this is what works best for our clients so trust you can appre-ciate that its hard for me to expand even when I need or want to. So sadly, I can’t offer any positions in the

10/12/10

near term but thank you enormously for writing to us and choosing us to talk to. I wish you all the very best of luck and good luck in Aus, I am sure you will find work to do here. RegardsShaun

Shaun Lockyer Architect

Dear Shaun,

Thank you for the prompt reply. It is sad that you are not looking to hire at the moment and while I fully understand that you are busy, it will be a great experi-ence for me to be able to visit the office and discuss my work with you. I was hoping to make the most of my trip to Brisbane and just being able to meet architects I admire would make it worthwhile.

Please let me know if you could make time.Thank you again for your encouraging e-mail.

Regards,Anitra.

13/12/10

Anitra My apologies for the delay in getting back to you but I have been on leave and only got back on board yesterday! I must say, I love your passion and commitment (reminds me of someone) and respect what you are trying to get out of your time here. Give me a call when you are in town and I will see if I have time to show you to one or two projects that I am busy with and we can try and have a chat as well! Look forward to hearing from you. RegardsShaun

Shaun Lockyer Architect

5/1/11

Dear Anitra,

Thank you very much for your interest in a position with my firm. I am very impressed with your application, and your understanding of our architectural focus and our shared views!

It is unfortunate but we do not currently have a posi-tion available, and am in fact out of the office until the last week in January. I will keep your application in the hope something arises!

Best wishes in your search.ElizabethEWB Architects

10/1/11

Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for the kind words. It is sad that you are not looking to hire at the moment and while I fully under-stand that you are busy, it will be a great experience for me to be able to visit the office and discuss my work with you. I was hoping to make the most of my trip to Brisbane and just being able to meet architects I admire would make it worthwhile.

Please let me know if you could make time whenever you are back. Regards,Anitra.

13/1/11

Dear Anitra,

Apologies but this disastrous flood has taken its toll. You may have some trouble in Brisbane at this time. I think it would be better to reschedule.

RegardsElizabethEWB Architects

13/1/11

Dear Anitra, Thank you for your application registering your interest for an architectural position. We have no suitable positions available for you at this time. Thank you again for your interest and wish you every success in your future endeavours. Kind Regards,Stacey Murphy

Richard Kirk Architect

21/1/11

Hi Anitra, Thanks for getting back in touch. Unfortunately we are not currently looking for anyone. We will keep your CV on file. Regards, Aaron

Owen & Vokes

30/9/11

Dear Anitra Thank you, we have received your application with re-spect to employment opportunities at Donovan Hill. We can inform you that Donovan Hill are not offering any additional placements in the short to mid term forecast.

Your application will be reviewed by a member of the executive group who may respond as appropriate to your application. We wish you well in your endeavour to find employment. RegardsKae

Donovan Hill

4/10/11

Anitra

Thank you for taking the time to send your portfolio and resume through for consideration.

As you are aware the building and construction industry is very flat globally and despite Australia's relatively robust economy, we are also subject to global conditions

That being said I regret to inform you that we do not have any current opportunities.

Some things for consideration:

* We currently have two trained Indian architects in our office -

5/10/11

one we recruited from Dubai - both of whom are highly skilled and respected in the office

* We are an ArchiCAD practice and I note that your skills are with AutoCAD

* If we do have future opportunities we are likely to recruit ArchiCAD users

We will keep your material on record and make contact should our needs change.

Best regards

Ross Daley

Cottee Parker Architects

Dear Anitra

Thank you for expressing an interest in working for Populous in Brisbane. Unfortunately, we do not have any vacancies in our studios here at the moment.

We wish you well in your search for a suitable position elsewhere.

Regards

Rik Tinning-Clowes

Populous

6/10/11

Hello Anitra,

Thank you very much for sending your CV to us. It is certainly very impressive.

We are not currently employing new staff, but we will definitely keep your details on file, should an opportu-nity arise in the future. All the best, Regards,Mary Stuart

Urban Arts Project

17/10/11

Dear Ms Stuart,

Thank you for your reply. While I understand that you may not be hiring staff at the moment, I would like to discuss the possibility of completing an internship with UAP early next year.

As mentioned in my previous e-mail, I am an architectur-al graduate and have been working at Steendyk for nine months as an architect/designer.

While this experience has been valuable, I am determined to chase more specialized opportunities. I am committed to working in the realm of urban landscape and public art, for which the UAP studio is highly regarded.

18/10/11

It would be a great experience to be able to visit the office and discuss my work with your team.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Anitra.

Hello Anitra,Thank you for your call this morning.Unfortunately we are not likely to be in the position of hiring new staff for quite some time. Perhaps you might like to get back in touch with us in the new year. Kind Regards, Mary

Urban Arts Project

26/10/11

Dear Anitra

Thank you for your interest in our firm however we are currently unable to offer you employment. We will keep your details on file should our requirements change and offer our apologies for the late reply.

Good luck with your job hunting and all the best for your future career.

Regards

Andrew WatsonWatson Architects

12/11/11

Hello,

Thanks for your email. We are not looking for anybody at the moment.

RegardsJonathan Lake

Jonathan Lake Architects

10/1/12

Dear Anitra

Thank you for your email and for expressing an interest in working at CODA. Unfortunately, we don't have any positions available. Should our position change, I'll be in touch.

Best of luck with your job search.

Kindest regards

Emma

CODA Architecture

10/1/12

Anitra Thank you for your email. We are a very small office and unfortunately do not have opportunities for employing staff.

Regards,Stephen Neille

Pendal & Neille

13/1/12

Thanks AnitraNothing at presentGood luckEM

Edwards Moore Architects

18/1/12

Hello Anitra,

Thank you for your email, and continued interest in UAP.

I am sorry to say there is still no opportunity for work experience here, as we are currently undergoing the pro-cess of restructuring the design office.

Should an opportunity arise in the near future though, we will be sure to be in touch.

Meanwhile I wish you all the best. Regards,Mary

Urban Arts Project

18/1/12

Hi AnitraThank you for your interest, but I’m afraid we don’t have anything available at the moment, we have had to put off the student that was doing part time.

RegardsMichelle Fisher

Griffiths Architects

20/1/12

Hi Anitra,

Thanks for your interest in CoDesign. I am forwarding your request to Sarah, volunteers coordinator (copied) who will be able to provide you with more information about what might be available regarding volunteering.

Generally we do not have the capacity to take on internsbut Sarah will keep you in the loop with volunteer opportunities.

ThanksLucinda

CoDesign Studio

26/1/12

Hi Anitra,

Thank you very much for your interest in CoDesign Studio You have some fantastic experience, and I really appre-ciate your approach and enthusiasm.

As Lucinda has explained, we don't have any vacancies at the moment. However, we will have several new projects starting up later in the year.

I will keep your details on file and will certainly be in touch if any suitable opportunities come available.

With thanks,Sarah

CoDesign Studio

19/2/12

.

Hello Anitra

Thank you for contacting us inquiring about the possi-bility of working with our practice. We were impressed with your folio of work & experience but unfortunately we don't have any openings at the moment.

We will keep your details on record for future reference and feel free to touch base with us later in the year to check our work status, if you are still seeking employ-ment then.

Kind RegardsMargo Sparks

Sparks Architecture

1/2/12

Antria Unfortunately our practice is very small and we also build, as a result we are often on site and our office is empty. Due to the nature of our business we are not well structured to give you a beneficial experience and feel you may learn more at a larger office with the depth of staff to ensure you are gaining good experience. Good luck with your architectural career in the future. Regards Steve MainRichard Szklarz Architects

1/2/12

Hello Anitra,

Thank you for contacting me. Unfortunately I am unable to offer you employment at this stage. I will keep your CV on file and if anything comes up, be in touch. Good luck with the job search.

Regards,

James.

James Davidson Architect

5/2/12

Anitra Thank you for your enquiry. We are unable to accommodate further staff at this time. Good luck with your search. RegardsGordon Beath

Edge Architecture

6/2/12

Dear Anitra,

Thank you for your interest in Conrad Gargett Architec-ture. We are reading your resume with interest and will respond back to you if we believe you may have the rele-vant skills to match the profile of our office for current and upcoming projects. We may contact you to schedule an interview; otherwise, we will keep your resume on file for one year. We will review your resume against any positions that become available during that time. You don’t have to resubmit your resume.Again, we appreciate your interest. Sincerely,Rachael ReevesConrad Gargett Architecture

9/2/12

Hi Anitra,Unfortunately we do not have any current positions for architects or graduates but thank you for your inquiry and all the best with your endeavours,

RegardsDragan Majstorovic

Majstorovic Architecture

10/2/12

Hello Anitra

Thanks for your application. I enjoyed reading through your CV and folio. Unfortunately at this point, we are unable to employ more people.

I hope that you are able to find some further employment soon.

RegardsStephen

Stephen de Jersey Architect

10/2/12

In a highly competitive market where real talent is in huge demand, we really appreciate you taking the time to apply to us. As you may have noted, we have multiple roles available across many locations and as such we may be unable to contact all applicants. Our HR team will be in contact should you be selected for interview.

We will keep any personal information you have forwarded in a secure and confidential manner in accordance with our privacy principles. If you are unsuccessful, Urbis will retain this information as part of our recruitment records; after a certain amount of time your information will be destroyed.

Yours sincerely Human ResourcesUrbis

19/3/12

Good day Anitra

Thank you for your enquiry and interest in our practice.

Unfortunately we are not in a position to offer you work at the moment. We are a small and flexible practice which suits our lifestyles, but is not conducive to providing regular external employment for others. Tania and I were very impressed by your portfolio though, and are sure you will find work to your liking.

Kind regards, and best wishes for the future,

Keith Noble & Tania Dennis.

Insideout Architects

22/3/11

Anitra

At present Gall Architects is just me. I have a long way to go to develop the practice so I cannot offer you a position, I’m sorry.

Your work and experience as shown in your Resume/Folio looks good. I will pass it on to others if that is al-right by you.

All the best.

Jim GallGall Architects

22/3/12

Hi Anitra,

Sorry it has taken so long for me to get back to you. It's a tricky situation to be in at the moment. I just graduated from UQ at the end of last year and found it pretty tough to get a job.

I too would prefer to be working in a small to medium practice, but found no one hiring at that time. I ended up at ***** through an old boss and am pretty happy just to have a job to be honest!

Some people I graduated with, have still not found work. Having said that! There are a lot of great small prac-tices in Brisbane doing beautiful work.

The trouble will be if they have work and are hiring.

5/8/11

So in your list- I don't really know anything about Phorm, Aardvarc, Base Architecture, or Marc&co. If you like their work then apply away.

Owen&Vokes are great but I know they aren’t looking for anyone. **** likewise. I worked for them briefly before my project fell through and they only really hire students or technicians.

Riddle is great, not sure if they are looking for anyone. I have a friend that works there and he enjoys it.

****** I interviewed at and have a friend that works there. I got the impression they were a commercial prac-tice that wasn't that big on design.

Elizabeth Watson Brown has now joined architectus. Arkhefield could be good too. Shaun Lockyer was a major

partner there and has since left to start his own prac-tice at lightspace in the valley. He would be worth a try.

***** I would probably hazard against. We did some work with them on a residential project and it was mostly de-pressing.

Best advise is just to get out and get to know people. Find people who are doing work that you like and go after them. It's still a bit tricky at the moment with not a lot of work around so it might take some time. So good luck! I hope to meet you soon so we can talk about this in person!

-Friend.

About me:

I am an enthusiastic 24 year old graduate architect, born and raised in India, but now living in Brisbane, Australia.

In November 2010, I graduated from KRVIA, Mumbai(India) with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Soon after,in January 2011, I moved to Australia to gain work ex-perience and was offered a one year internship at Steendyk, an award winning architectural practice based in Brisbane.

I have been actively seeking further employment in the field of design/ architecture since December 2011.

Published 2012