WATG Architect Interview Questions
& Process

This was by far the worst interview experience I've ever had, and honestly, there's not much to say. I was so stoked about the chance to connect with a company doing exactly what I want to do. I got to a point where I was talking to someone in HR who clearly had no clue about architecture or design. As I showed them my portfolio, they kept asking what my specific role was on each project and whether I was the one who designed it or just handled the detailing and documentation. They just couldn't grasp that I've been involved in both conceptual and technical design on many projects throughout my career, which I consider myself fortunate for. After they asked the same question for about the fifth time, I realized we were getting nowhere. It's a shame that this one person not only tanked my chances for a highly appealing opportunity but also couldn't have a productive conversation with someone knowledgeable, and did so in a way that felt really unprofessional and presumptuous. This interview was followed by two other interviews at different firms that were actually some of the best I've ever had. I even had to chase them down multiple times just to get the 'no' that I was already expecting.

I had a very brief 6-minute chat with HR over the phone. We mostly covered my background, salary expectations, and skills. It was super quick, and then they mentioned there might be a second interview with the project team.

The process was really thoughtful. The studio director had reviewed my portfolio and CV beforehand, which is unusual for interviews. They gave me ample time to showcase my work, and it was a genuinely pleasant experience.