Surveyor

Surveyor job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Surveyors normally specialise in one property area, so individual responsibilities vary according to the job.

Common tasks include:

• property and land surveys/valuations
• liaison with other professionals, such as estate agents
• writing reports (often technical)
• advising clients
• providing legal advice and evidence for court cases
• overseeing building work.

Typical employers of surveyors

• private practices
• large commercial organizations
• the Civil Service
• financial institutions
• charities
• housing associations
• property developers
• construction companies
• utilities.

Some are also self-employed.

Vacancies are advertised by careers services and specialist recruitment agencies, in national and local newspapers, and in a range of relevant publications such as Property Week, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Estate Gazette, Building and Opportunities. Useful publications include TARGETjobs Quantity Surveying and Building Surveying.

Qualifications and training required

Most surveyors have relevant degrees in subjects such as construction, building and surveying. To qualify as a chartered surveyor it is necessary to obtain a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification and a minimum of two years' vocational experience.

Graduates from other degree disciplines will need a postgraduate qualification. Any relevant experience gained via casual employment, vacation work or placements can be of particular benefit. Promotional prospects are excellent for employees willing to take managerial positions or to change employer.

Key skills for surveyors

• responsibility
• attention to detail
• good mathematical skills
• good analytical skills