In the final interview of our Dezeen Jobs: How We Recruit series, chief people officer at Studio Gang Claire Cahan discusses what catches her eye in an application.

Anna Marks: What new skill sets are you looking for candidates to have?

Claire Cahan: Our ethos of  "actionable idealism", which describes our desire to design places that create a positive impact on people, communities, and the environment, extends directly into how we shape our culture and approach hiring.

Strong design skills are one very important aspect we consider. At the same time, candidates who also demonstrate a love for the process – collaborating, communicating, and engaging deeply – will stand out.

When we review portfolios and meet candidates, we look for an interest in and familiarity with a range of design and communication tools. Rather than looking for candidates who specialise in one technique or programme, we seek out people with diverse skill sets.

That may include hand sketching, photography, physical modelling, digital modelling, 2D and 3D construction drawing, strong writing and graphic design, just to name a few.

Anna Marks: Are you looking for candidates with traditional routes to the position? What would catch your eye in an application?

Claire Cahan: We believe our studio benefits most from people who have followed various routes throughout their education and career, and our current team reflects this.

Our staff represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures, colleges and universities, and types of degrees or specialities. We love how diverse perspectives can enrich our studio and the collaborative ideation and research-based process that defines our work.

We also value experience or skills in fields outside of architecture, because these can introduce new ideas to the design process and can also contribute to the culture of our studio.

In addition to being trained in architecture, many of our staff have backgrounds in ecology, engineering, digital technology, community engagement and organising, climate action and fabrication, among others.

Anna Marks: During the interview and application process, is there anything that you're doing differently than you did 10 years ago?

Claire Cahan: We've expanded our hiring team to include designers, architects, and administrative staff across all levels of the studio. This group intentionally reflects the geographic, gender and racial diversity of the studio, and the members come from different backgrounds, communities and educational and career paths.

We have also invested in developing a more robust hiring pipeline for students and young people. In addition to attending career fairs and portfolio reviews to help us connect with candidates, we offer paid internships to encourage upward paths of professional mobility.

We regularly hire graduate students of architecture as interns, and many go on to become full-time staff members when they graduate. We also participate in local programs that provide opportunities to young people from communities who have traditionally had less access to opportunities in architecture and related industries.

Anna Marks: What advice can you give people looking for a role in the company?

Claire Cahan: We are looking for designers and people who want to grow with the studio, so be specific about why you're interested in Studio Gang.

Knowing what attracted you to our work and how you see yourself contributing to it helps us get a better sense of your values and your goals. We value strong communication and curiosity, so we always appreciate it when you ask questions during the interview process.

Dezeen Jobs: How We Recruit series

This article is part of Dezeen Jobs: How We Recruit, a series of interviews to mark Dezeen Jobs turning 15, which explores changing hiring practices and future recruitment needs for companies around the world.