How do I get a graduate job in quantity surveying or building surveying?
Careers in quantity surveying are all about managing the money. The aim is to build high-quality structures as economically as possible and a quantity surveyor (QS) is involved at every stage from initial bids to final accounts. Building surveying, on the other hand, straddles the divide between the property and construction sector: they conduct surveys and provide expert advice on matters ranging from defects in a building to boundary disputes.
- What graduate quantity surveyors do in their jobs
- What a graduate job as a building surveyor involves
Fact: a quantity surveyor may also be referred to as cost consultant or commercial manager.
How can I get a job in a quantity or building surveying company?
Most large surveying employers now ask you to complete an online application form, but some firms still prefer a CV with a covering letter. Speculative applications can be an effective way to make yourself known to recruiters. If your application is successful, you’re likely to be invited for an interview or two, one of which might examine your technical skills. Some firms prefer to test your abilities at an assessment centre.
- Your application FAQs answered: everything you need to know to get a graduate surveying job
- Top tips on writing your application for a graduate surveying vacancy
- How to impress at a quantity or building surveying job interview
- Behind the scenes of a surveying graduate assessment centre: what to expect and how to succeed
How can I become a quantity or building surveyor?
The most obvious way to become a quantity or building surveyor is to do a relevant degree such as quantity surveying or building surveying, or a construction-related degree that is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Most organisations offer graduate schemes that you could join and get your career started as soon as you finish university: you should research employers before you apply to work out which one is right for you and demostrating your knowledge in applications will also impress employers!
But don’t panic if your degree is not related to surveying, you can become a surveyor no matter what you studied: it’s a career choice for all graduates. If you have a degree in another subject, you can do a conversion course to become a quantity or building surveyor. Some employers will sponsor you during the course and you can work towards your Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) at the same time – so you can potentially qualify at the same time as graduates who have done a related degree. Having a degree in a subject unrelated to construction will not hold you back. Making the mature decision to do a conversion course demonstrates commitment and ambition, which both impress employers.
How do I become a chartered surveyor?
Becoming chartered is proof of your competence and professional status and it’s therefore an important career milestone. To become a chartered surveyor, you first need a degree or conversion course that is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Once you start work you can enrol on the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), a structured, work-based training scheme that assesses your technical and business skills. It takes at least two years and if you pass the assessment you’ll be chartered and get extra letters after your name. Surveyors can also become members of the Chartered Institute of Building, which develops knowledge and allows you to associate with related professionals, as well as letting you put even more letters after your name!
What salary will I get as a surveyor?
As a graduate entering the profession with a related degree, the starting salaries of employers advertising on this website are usually between £19,000 and £25,000. Your salary is usually raised considerably after you have gained chartership. In large organisations, there may be benefits such as pension schemes, health insurance and life assurance, and a company car.
What skills and interests will I need to impress surveying recruiters?
Quantity surveying and building surveying both require a range of technical and soft skills. You need to be able to read architectural drawings and understand construction processes. An appreciation of mechanical and electrical installations is valuable, together with an understanding of their interface with other parts of the construction. As quantity surveyors are concerned with financial matters, strong numerical skills are essential. In building surveying, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of regulations and legislation, to ensure that they are followed. Business and managerial skills are important in both fields, as well as an understanding of the relation of building projects with the commercial world. The top skills that employers look for include:
- enthusiasm
- leadership skills
- innovation
- commercial awareness
- communication skills
To convey your enthusiasm for a career as a surveyor you will need to demonstrate that you take an interest in the latest happenings and projects in the industry. Read our special careers advice features on the surveying profession and check out industry trade publications such as Building to keep up to date. Getting work experience wih a surveying company is another very good way to prove your dedication to the career path.
- Top tips on getting work experience with a surveying employer
- What surveying recruiters expect from graduate candidates for quantity and building surveying jobs
- Read up on the hottest trend affecting surveying: sustainability
What specialist areas could I work in?
There are many opportunities for specialisation in quantity and building surveying, as certain tasks require highly detailed knowledge. Many surveyors gain experience in a range of areas before choosing one to specialise in, while others prefer to work across the field throughout their career. Key quantity surveying specialisms include:
- Capital allowances and tax
- Facilities management
- Legal services
- Project management
- Risk management
- Supply chain management
- Value management
Specialist areas of practice for building surveyors include:
- a particular type of building or project, eg retail or historic
- refurbishment projects or new builds
- dilapidations
- tenancy dispute resolutions
- party wall awards
- building works
- sustainability
- insolvency and corporate recovery (projects in financial difficulty).
