WA100 & the Great Talent Squeeze: What the Rankings Don’t Show You
Are top architecture candidates really choosing prestige or better roles?
Every year, the WA100 rankings drop and the same posts fill my feed:
- “Proud to be in the WA100 again!”
“Honoured to move up X places this year.”
It’s great. Recognition matters. Big firms do incredible work. But as recruiters who speak to candidates and studios every day, there’s another story that never appears in the tables: The WA100 firms and the ambitious mid-sized studios are often fighting for exactly the same pool of talent. The rankings don’t tell you who is actually winning that battle.
Brand vs. day-to-day reality
For candidates, large, globally recognised practices offer real advantages:
Big, complex, international projects
Training, structure, and clear progression frameworks
The prestige of a well-known name on your CV
But the mid-sized (and sometimes smaller) studios have a very compelling counter-offer:
Broader responsibility much earlier
Direct contact with clients, stakeholders, and contractors
Visibility: you’re not “no. 27 in a team of 60”
We regularly see candidates turn down WA100 names for a studio they’ve never heard of six months prior, because the role, the culture, and the mentorship are stronger.
What mid-sized studios can do to compete
If you’re not on the WA100, you’re not doomed. In fact, you often have more freedom to design a great employee experience.
Here are three practical things we see working:
Be radically clear in your job descriptions.
Spell out responsibilities, progression path, salary range, and flexibility. “We’re a friendly studio with a diverse portfolio” isn’t enough.Sell access, not just projects.
Candidates care about who they’ll learn from. Mention partners and associates they’ll work alongside – and how that looks on a weekly basis.Move fast and communicate well.
Top candidates often have several processes running. The studio that gives timely feedback, clear next steps, and makes decisions promptly usually wins.
What candidates should look for beyond the rankings
If you’re job searching, ask questions that go deeper than the brand:
“What does a typical week look like at my level?”
“How do you review performance and progression?”
“Who will I be learning from and how often will I work directly with them?”
“What happened to the last person in this role?”
A prestigious name is nice. A role where you grow, are respected, and can build a sustainable life is better.
Looking to hire top architecture talent or explore your next role? Connect with Highline today. We help studios and candidates navigate the competitive landscape and find the perfect fit.
© Highline Group 2025