Job Outlook For A Foreign Architect

[imahappycamper 0]

Hello, just wondering if anybody knows what the job outlook is for a foreign Architect in the U.S with 10 years of experience and for a recent graduate...specifically in Miami, FL? Will having a beginner-intermediate level of English be a barrier when trying to find a job? Thank you.

[TBoneTX 45,305]

You can try an Internet search for "professional architect organizations" and reach out to others in discussion groups or the employment areas.

Work hard to improve your English -- if you're bilingual in English and Spanish, the world is yours.

[imahappycamper 0]

Thanks, actually, I have looked at all the organizations related to the profession as well as the forums, but most of the forums are discussions of people who got their degree in the U.S. I guess I was just trying to see if there is someone out there who studied abroad and how long did it take them to get hired at a firm once in the U.S. Did anybody get hired from abroad? Is it common to have an interview over the phone and get hired before being there personally? That would be the ideal situation. Thanks again.

[TBoneTX 45,305]

It might take awhile before someone answers you here. You might go back to the discussion groups and find a thread in which you can ask your question, especially if any hiring managers are participating. You might also search for a large architectural firm in Miami, learn the name of the hiring manager or the personnel manager (sometimes called "human resources"), and ask.

An idea would be to submit your credentials to a company (to a person there whose name and job title you know) and say, "I'm not applying for a job, but I would appreciate learning what it takes to be hired at a company like yours. Will you please evaluate my foreign credentials and experience for me?"

All that people can do is ignore your query, but don't let that stop you from asking others until you get a good idea of what the job market is like.

[imahappycamper 0]

Thanks, I appreciate your advice. I will definitely try those options.

[TBoneTX 45,305]

You're welcome. Let us know what happens!

[Sousuke 1,214]

I'm in a similar field (L. Arch.) and all of my work experience was in the UK, when I came to CA. The good news is that you're looking at an industry that has really turned around in the past two years and has plenty of opening for more experience. The bad news is that you may be seen as having slightly less experience unless you can jump into US style CD sets, specs etc immediately. If you have construction administration experience thats a plus.

Overall unfortunately the Architecture related fields still have a slightly elevated unemployment level and Florida was a bit of a bust state along with Arizona and other sunbelt states.

Also, I was hired while abroad but I paid for my flight to my interviews.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Sousuke