How to Write an Architecture and Interior Design CV That Passes an Australian ATS (2026 Update)
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are now standard across Australian recruitment agencies, large architecture and interior design practices, multidisciplinary consultancies, and government employers. In many application processes, your CV is processed by software before it reaches a recruiter or hiring manager.The main challenge is parsing. Parsing is the process an ATS uses to extract and organise information from your CV, such as your contact details, qualifications, employment history, project experience, software skills, and industry keywords. Architecture and interior design CVs and portfolios are often visually rich, which can make them particularly difficult for an ATS to interpret accurately.
We know this first-hand. When selecting Sculpt Group’s ATS, we trialled multiple systems to find one that could support the specific needs of the architecture, property, and interior design sectors. Many of the newer platforms we trialled, despite offering advanced technology, could not reliably parse the visually detailed CVs and portfolios we receive. Rather than compromise by adopting a legacy system, we completed substantial customisation so our ATS could better process the documents used across our industry.
This guide explains how applicant tracking systems and CV parsing work, why architecture and interior design applications are often difficult for software to interpret, and how to create an ATS-friendly CV for roles in Australia.
What Is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System is software employers and recruitment agencies use to collect, organise, search, and assess job applications. Depending on the platform, an ATS may:
Extract your contact details, qualifications, employment history, and skills
Search your CV for role-specific keywords
Compare your experience with the job description
Rank or filter applicants against selection criteria
Store your profile for a relevant period for relevant future opportunities
What Does CV and Portfolio Parsing Mean?
When you upload a document, the ATS attempts to convert its contents into structured, searchable information. It may identify your name, contact details, employers, job titles, dates, qualifications, software skills, project sectors, and other relevant keywords. Recruiters and Internal Talent Managers can then search, review, and match that information against current and future roles.
Parsing is not the same as a person reviewing the visual quality of your application. An ATS may struggle to recognise text placed inside images, complex columns, diagrams, drawing sheets, project photography, or highly designed portfolio pages. Information that is obvious to a recruiter or design director may be missed, duplicated, or extracted in the wrong order.
Portfolios are particularly difficult because they combine visual storytelling with limited text and complex layouts. An ATS may store the file without accurately interpreting the projects, sectors, software, and responsibilities it contains. Your CV should therefore provide a clear, text-based summary of the experience shown visually in your portfolio.
ATS platforms are commonly used by:
Architecture and interior design recruitment agencies
Large architecture and design practices
Property, engineering, and multidisciplinary consultancies
Government and public-sector employers
National and global organisations recruiting at scale
If your CV cannot be parsed correctly, important information may be missed or placed in the wrong fields. This can reduce your visibility, even when your project experience and portfolio are strong.
Why Architecture and Interior Design CVs Fail ATS Scans
Architecture and interior design professionals often use highly designed CVs to demonstrate visual capability. Unfortunately, the same features that appeal to a human reader can prevent an ATS from interpreting the document correctly.
Common issues include:
Scanned or image-based PDFs
Multi-column layouts
Text boxes, tables, sidebars, and complex page structures
Icons used instead of text labels for phone, email, or location
Important text embedded in images
Decorative fonts or unusual characters
Headers and footers containing essential details
Unconventional section headings
Inconsistent job titles or employment dates
Missing Australian terminology and role-specific keywords
A strong portfolio can showcase your design thinking and visual communication. Your ATS CV should prioritise clarity, structure, and searchable information.
Best CV File Format for Australian ATS Platforms
Unless the application instructions specify otherwise, use one of these formats:
A simple, text-based PDF with selectable text
Avoid using:
InDesign exports with complex layouts
Portfolio-style CVs
Canva CV templates with multiple columns or graphic elements
Scanned documents
PDFs where text has been converted to outlines or images
Before submitting a PDF, test whether you can select and copy the text in the correct reading order. If copied text appears scrambled, an ATS may also struggle to read it.
Submit your CV and portfolio as separate files unless the employer requests a combined document.
Recommended ATS-Friendly CV Structure
Use a clean, single-column layout with standard headings and consistent formatting.
Suggested Section Order
Full Name
Professional Title
Location
Contact Details
Professional Summary
Core Skills
Professional Experience
Education and Qualifications
Registration and Professional Affiliations
Software and Technical Skills
Selected Project Experience, if relevant
Use a professional title that reflects your level and target role, such as:
Team Leader - Architecture
Registered Architect
Senior Architect
Project Architect
Interior Designer
Senior Interior Designer
Interior Architect
Associate Director - Architecture
BIM Technician
Principal
Design Manager
Project Manager
Include your city and state, but a full residential address is not required.
How to Write an ATS-Optimised Professional Summary
Your professional summary should be concise, specific, and aligned with the role. Aim for three to four lines that cover:
Your professional level and years of experience
Relevant sectors and project types
Key technical or delivery strengths
Important software, registration, or Australian experience
Architecture CV Example
Architectural Graduate with more than three years of experience delivering multi-residential and mixed-use projects in Australia. Skilled in design development, Development Application documentation, consultant coordination, and construction documentation. Proficient in Revit, with practical knowledge of the National Construction Code and local planning requirements.
Interior Design CV Example
Interior Designer with five years of experience across workplace, hospitality, and high-end residential projects. Experienced in concept design, documentation, finishes and furniture selection, consultant coordination, and client presentations. Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and Australian building standards.
Avoid generic statements such as “creative team player” unless they are supported by relevant experience or outcomes.
Keywords for Architecture and Interior Design CVs in Australia
ATS platforms compare your CV with the language used in the job advertisement. Include relevant terms naturally and only where they accurately reflect your experience.
Architecture Keywords
Concept Design
Schematic Design
Design Development
Development Applications (DA)
Planning Applications
Construction Documentation
Tender Documentation
Consultant Coordination
Contract Administration
Site Inspections
National Construction Code (NCC)
Building Code of Australia (BCA)
Australian Standards
Revit
ArchiCAD
BIM
Residential
Multi-residential
Commercial
Education
Health
Public and Civic
Defence
Local Council Planning
Interior Design Keywords
Interior Architecture
Interior Design
Workplace Design
Hospitality Design
Retail Design
Residential Interiors
Space Planning
Test Fits
Concept Development
Design Development
Documentation
Joinery Detailing
Finishes, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E)
Furniture Selection and Specification
Materials and Finishes
Client Presentations
Consultant Coordination
Supplier Coordination
Revit
SketchUp
Adobe Creative Suite
Enscape
Do not copy a list of keywords into your CV without context. Use them in your professional summary, skills section, and experience bullet points so they demonstrate genuine capability.
How to Present Professional Experience
For each role, include:
Standard job title
Employer or practice name
City and state, or country for international experience
Employment dates in Month Year format
Concise bullet points describing responsibilities, project exposure, and outcomes
Start bullet points with clear action verbs such as delivered, developed, documented, coordinated, managed, prepared, presented, or supported.
Architecture Experience Example
Architectural Graduate
ABC Architecture Studio, Melbourne VIC
March 2023 to Present
Produced Development Application and construction documentation for multi-residential projects
Coordinated structural, civil, landscape, and building services consultants
Developed Revit models and drawing packages in line with the NCC and relevant Australian Standards
Supported site inspections, tender queries, and contract administration
Interior Design Experience Example
Interior Designer
XYZ Design Practice, Sydney NSW
July 2021 to September 2026
Developed concepts, material palettes, and presentation packages for workplace and hospitality interiors
Prepared Revit documentation, detailed joinery drawings, and FF&E schedules
Coordinated consultants, suppliers, and contractors through design development and delivery
Presented design options to clients and incorporated feedback within project timeframes
Where possible, add useful context such as project sector, scale, value, stage, team size, or your level of responsibility. Do not disclose confidential information.
Include Selected Project Experience Carefully
A selected projects section can improve keyword relevance, particularly when your job titles do not fully explain your sector experience.
For each project, consider including:
Project type and location
Approximate scale or value, if not confidential
Project stage
Your role and responsibilities
Software used
Keep descriptions concise. Detailed visuals, drawings, and design narratives belong in your portfolio.
List Registration, Qualifications, and Australian Work Rights Clearly
Depending on the role, include relevant details such as:
Architecture registration and state or territory
AACA assessment, if applicable
Australian Institute of Architects membership
Design Institute of Australia membership
Green Star accreditation
WELL accreditation
Relevant degree and institution
Construction induction card, if required
Australian work rights or visa status, where appropriate
Use the full term before an acronym where possible. This helps both ATS matching and human readers.
Never describe yourself as a registered architect unless you hold the relevant registration.
Software Skills: Be Specific and Accurate
List software using the names employers are likely to search for. You can also indicate your level of proficiency where this is accurate.
Common software includes:
Revit
ArchiCAD
AutoCAD
Rhino
Grasshopper
SketchUp
Enscape
Lumion
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Bluebeam
BIM 360 or Autodesk Construction Cloud
Avoid rating yourself with stars, bars, or graphics. These are difficult for ATS platforms to interpret and do not provide a consistent measure of capability.
ATS CV Formatting Checklist
Before submitting your application, check that your CV:
Uses a single-column layout
Uses standard section headings
Contains selectable text
Includes your phone number and email address as text
Uses consistent job titles and employment dates
Includes relevant keywords from the job advertisement
Spells out important acronyms at least once
Avoids text boxes, icons, graphics, and skill-rating bars
Uses simple bullet points
Keeps essential information out of headers and footers
Has a clear file name, such as Firstname-Lastname-CV.docx
Has been proofread for spelling, grammar, and date errors
Should You Still Have a Designed CV?
A designed CV can still be useful, particularly for direct introductions to boutique studios or creative practices. However, it should not replace an ATS-friendly version when you are applying through a recruitment agency, job board, careers portal, large organisation, or government process.
A practical approach is to maintain two documents:
ATS CV: A clean, text-based document for online applications and recruitment databases
Portfolio: A carefully designed document showing your project experience, design thinking, technical capability, and visual communication
For most architecture and interior design applications, a clear ATS CV paired with a strong portfolio gives recruiters and employers the information they need at each stage.
When to Use an ATS-Optimised CV
Use an ATS-friendly CV when:
Applying through an architecture, property or interior design recruitment agency
Uploading your CV to a job board
Applying through a company careers portal
Responding to a government or public-sector vacancy
Applying to a large architecture, design, property, or multidisciplinary practice
Registering your details for future opportunities
If you are emailing a small studio directly, a more visually designed CV may be appropriate. Even then, keep the layout clear and make sure your experience, software skills, location, and contact details are easy to find.
Final Advice for Architecture and Interior Design Candidates
An ATS-friendly CV does not need to be bland. It needs to be clear, accurate, and relevant.
Focus on readable formatting, standard headings, Australian industry terminology, and evidence of your project experience. Tailor the document to each role, keep your portfolio separate, and make it easy for both software and people to understand what you can offer.
If you are unsure whether your CV reflects the roles you are targeting, a specialist architecture and interior design recruitment agency can help you identify missing information, improve role alignment, and present your experience more clearly to Australian employers.
