How do I get a graduate job in property?

A career in property involves using a knowledge of surveying to make money out of property. Property is the sector where finance and the built environment meet, involving the buying and selling, planning and development, management and investment of property. Selling residential property is a very minor aspect of the industry, with 21 other areas of specialisation recognised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) .

Getting a graduate job in property

If you haven't got a degree in property you'll be known as a 'non-cognate' (check out the meaning of this and other similar terms in our property jargon buster) and will have to take a postgraduate conversion course in property that is accredited by RICS to help develop your understanding of the sector. Emphasis is on the business side of the sector, leaving you to gain technical skills once you’re in the workplace. Conversion courses are made up of common elements such as basic valuation, planning and property law. Courses can be quite expensive so it is worthwhile checking if a prospective employer will sponsor you. 

Once you've done a RICS accredited degree you will be able to qualify as a chartered surveyor. To do this you will have to completed the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), a structured training scheme based in the workplace. This takes two and a half years (on average) and leads to chartered status. Employers will often award pay rises and company cars upon completion. After this there is the option of further qualification with the Continuous Professional Development programme, which leads to RICS fellowship.

• What qualifications do graduates need to work in property?

What are the different specialisms within property?

Different areas of work suit different personalities. For example, for those graduates who are attracted to the world of big business, a fund management position within the property sector is the equivalent of a role in the banking and investment industry but with a focus on property portfolios. For those who want a more hands-on career, planning, development and regeneration roles will give you an opportunity to work with big projects and get involved with plans and reports, as well as make site visits.

Other specialisms within property include:

• Agency
• Asset management
• Auctions
• Building surveying
• Commercial property
• Fund management
• Investment
• Management consulting
• Planning and development
• Project management
• Property development
• Property management
• Rating
• Residential property
• Rural property
• Valuation

How has the recession affected graduate jobs in property?

The property sector has taken a hit thanks to the recession, but many firms are still recruiting. In fact, competition for jobs in property will be tough and employers are expecting graduates to have researched their career options all the more carefully in light of the downturn – they invest a lot in their trainees and expect you to be 110 per cent committed.

Just as companies have to adapt to survive in tough times, so employers will expect you to have done likewise. If you haven’t managed to find work experience within the property sector, look elsewhere for chances to develop your skills. And if you haven’t got a property degree, research postgraduate courses in property carefully to find out how to get where you want to go.

More than ever, recruiters are looking for graduates with great communication skills who can think on their feet and rise to a challenge. An understanding of how the property sector works and how it’s affected by the economy - known as commercial awareness - is also a must-have.

• What skills do I need to become a chartered surveyor?
• How to get a job in property despite the recession

What are property salaries for graduates like?

Entry-level jobs in property pay above the average for graduate positions. Starting salaries come in at an average of £23,000, rising to £30,000 after qualification. Graduate employers based in the capital will usually offer a London weighting to account for the higher cost of living. Certain firms will offer you a company car or a car allowance and some may offer a higher starting salary but competition for these positions is likely to be even fiercer.

When should I apply for graduate jobs in property?

Closing dates for graduate jobs in the property sector commonly fall in the November or December of your final year but getting your application in before the deadline is likely to endear you to recruiters. Some firms will have different recruitment cycles or may be open to applications year-round, so always check.

• Essential advice for graduate applications and interviews for property jobs

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