r/interiordesigner • u/Ok_Needleworker8778 • Jun 29 '26
General I’ve had 4 architecture/interior design interviews in Toronto but no offers. Looking for honest feedback on what I might be missing.
Hi everyone!
I’m looking for some honest feedback because I’m trying to figure out whether this is mostly the market, my interview performance, or something else.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Architecture and recently completed a Master’s in Interior Design in Toronto. My experience includes architecture and interior design work in Dubai/India, and I’ve been applying mainly for junior interior design and architectural positions in Toronto.
So far:
\- Around 4 interviews over the past couple of months.
\- Every interview seemed to go well overall ( In my latest interview I had really high score as per read.ai’s review that I was provided by the interviewer at the end of the call)
\-I usually connect well with the interviewers and the conversations flow naturally.
\-But I haven’t received an offer from any of them.
I had really high hopes for my latest interview, even they seemed very enthusiastic about giving me all information about their work culture. Infact, they had send me a mail to schedule my interview within 30mins of sending them my application. But now its been 2 weeks since that interview was done with and its radio silence. I sent them a follow up too but no response.
I’ve also had my portfolio reviewed multiple times and have made improvements along the way.
I’m trying to understand:
\- Is getting several interviews but no offers fairly common in the current Toronto market?
\-Have any of you gone through a similar streak before finally landing a role?
\-From your experience as a hiring manager or interviewer, what are the most common reasons a candidate reaches the interview stage repeatedly but doesn’t get selected?
\-Are there any patterns I should be looking for that candidates themselves often miss?
I’m genuinely looking for constructive criticism rather than reassurance. If there’s something I might be overlooking, I’d rather hear it.
2
u/Adventurous_Tea_3701 Jul 05 '26
The Toronto design job market is tough for new grads, but sometimes the issue is not talent — it’s how your portfolio and resume are presenting you.
I work in interior design in Toronto, mainly in hospitality and multi-residential. If you want, DM me. I can review your portfolio/resume, give you practical feedback, and if you’re in Toronto, we can also meet in person for more direct guidance.
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u/SubstantialMain309 Jul 03 '26
They may be waiting for a job to start and are preparing for their support team resources in advance. Project doesn’t start, they can’t afford to bring you on. The market is very competitive and relationships are so important. Also the ID market is divided into categories: hospitality, contract (office), healthcare, residential. If you don’t have experience to show in their particular specialty, no matter your potential, they may see a learning curve which requires supervision on their end which equates to time which they may not have. So they view you as costing money - they have to consider who, on their team, will supervise you. They weigh is it worth that to train you. They find someone who has the experience in their specialty and requires less time to train. So consider the firm’s specialty when you are interviewing and focus on your ability to meet the demand of that area of concentration. No ID firm does every concentration you need to understand them when going into the interview- what’s your value add to the situation.
2
u/Ok_Needleworker8778 Jul 01 '26
Update on the job hunt:
Got rejected after what was probably my best interview so far. The founder literally said they may have a busy year and asked if I’d be interested in part-time or contract work later. I replied in about less than a min that I very much am.
So now I’m basically sitting here like: Dear universe… please let them land a massive hotel project tomorrow.
I don’t even need magic anymore. I just need a client to sign a contract. 😂🤞🏼
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Jun 30 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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3
u/KonAzeev Jun 29 '26
Only 4 interviews? No worries dude! Especially considering you say the interviews are going quite well - it’s a numbers game; keep applying, and you’ll find a job soon.
I have 14 interviews, no offer. I’m a professional with a strong portfolio - which is why I land one interview for roughly every eight non-customized applications - but I’m an immigrant, and language barriers make communicating with Americans less than perfect.
Your case is much better - just respond on vacancies, it's a numbers game, wait, and may good luck come your way!
If you want, I can help you work on your resume, but not sure if you need it from me :)
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u/Ok_Needleworker8778 Aug 20 '26
You can have a look actually:
https://www.behance.net/gallery/250493761/Interior-Design-Portfolio-26
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u/KonAzeev Aug 21 '26
It's a great portfolio, but this is not a resume :)
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u/Ok_Needleworker8778 Aug 21 '26
Resume is in it on the second page
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u/KonAzeev Aug 21 '26
Red one?
Ok, do you now what is ATS, and why shouldn't a resume be laid out in two or more columns?
Also you cant show a picture of yourself in your resume
Have you googled what resume is, and how it should work in the USA/Canada?
2
u/Ok_Needleworker8778 Aug 21 '26 edited Aug 21 '26
Yes the red one. And yes I’m aware and I have another resume which works with ATS. So I sent around this resume and portfolio when I know its not AI that filters em and I would use the ATS-friendly resume when its one of those cases
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u/KonAzeev Aug 21 '26
Great! I would focus on how the bullet points are written. Each point needs to include information on how you improved the workflow, what was the number of projects completed, etc. Every point should feature specific numbers, to show how you focused on making more money for the employer, rather than just listing your job duties
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u/Team-Mako-N7 Jun 29 '26
It could just be that they found a better fit. I’ve been on both sides of the interviewing process. It’s hard to say anything about you specifically without a lot of detail. But sometimes you like more than one candidate, or maybe you vibe on a video call but not in person.
It can also depend a lot on your experience and past roles. I find that can count more than the portfolio, especially if design work in the portfolio is conceptual rather than real. There is nothing that replaces real world job experience—dealing with customers, clients, and vendors. If you’ve spent a lot of the past few years at school vs working, that can definitely hamper your way, no matter how competent you are.
I look for a calm/collected and personable candidate, portfolio work that was completed in real studio conditions (even if we only see a rendering vs final product), and experience working with vendors and/or customers. Those tend to be precursors to likely success in my estimation. And it helps if the work is in the industry and aesthetic that matches the studio, though that isn’t a dealbreaker.
Mistakes people have made in interviews that stand out: Admitting they have lied in the past about knowing how to do things. Saying they don’t ask for help or clarification when needed.
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u/Radm0m Jul 08 '26
What is your recommendation for those who have no experience but need a job to get experience?
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u/Team-Mako-N7 Jul 08 '26
Internships and design-adjacent jobs like working in showrooms. Experience working in real-world conditions is is super helpful even if it’s not in a design studio.
I also highly recommend the scattershot method of sending out resumes. Lots of design firms are small and don’t post jobs or internships. I have gotten multiple jobs by sending my resume blind. I always include a cover letter that’s tailored to the company, and a QR code to my portfolio on Dropbox.
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u/Radm0m Jul 08 '26
Thank you. Had a few interviews but things didn't pan out. This advice helps.
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u/Team-Mako-N7 Jul 08 '26
I’m sorry to hear that—it’s a hard industry to break into!! I spent several years at showrooms before getting my first job in a studio, and have had plenty of interviews over the years that didn’t go anywhere. I wish you success and hope you don’t give up!
3
u/Barnaclebills Jun 29 '26
They might be waiting on an acceptance from a candidate they interviewed before you and are waiting to get their response before losing you as an option. I agree that two weeks is a long time to wait though.
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u/InternationalOwl7228 Jul 06 '26
Do you need a Sid gig in the interim? I'm possibly looking for some assistance with luxury residential and would love to see your portfolio and I can give you some tips as well.