Job hunting decisions and tips
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Network to get a construction, engineering or surveying job
Say the word networking to job-seeking graduates and it often conjures up the words ‘nightmare’ and ‘nepotism’, but it doesn’t have to be either. In fact, if you’re looking for a career in construction, engineering or surveying, networking can make all the difference to your chances of success.
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A woman's world: advice for women in architecture, construction, engineering and surveying
'Speak up', 'be aware of your career development' and 'forget about perfection' were just some of the words of advice emerging from the first ever Nottingham Trent University ‘women in the built environment’ event.
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Construction, civil engineering or QS jobs: four ways to get one
There are several ways to find a graduate job in quantity surveying, construction or civil engineering: getting onto a graduate scheme isn't the only route.
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Who are the most popular construction, civil engineering and quantity surveying graduate employers?
See which employers came out top in the trendence Graduate Survey and gain insights into choosing which employers to apply to.
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2.2s: which employers accept them in construction, civil engineering and quantity surveying?
Some construction, quantity surveying and civil and structural engineering employers accept job applications from graduates with a 2.2. We investigate which ones.
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First years: how to get your engineering, construction or surveying career started
Are you on a construction and project management, quantity surveying, building surveying, or civil engineering degree? There are things you can do right from your first year to boost your chances of getting a job when you graduate.
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What to do if you have multiple construction job offers
So you’ve got more than one job offer from different construction, quantity surveying or structural or civil engineering employers. Congratulations! Find out how to choose between offers and communicate professionally with recruiters, as well as how to decline jobs.
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The graduate guide to the construction process – know how your employer will fit in
It's essential to know how the client, contractor, subcontractor and consultant fit into the building process before you apply for jobs with any of these.
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Advice on getting a graduate job, by a graduate construction manager
Mairead O’Flynn is a graduate construction manager and site engineer at Laing O’Rourke. She graduated when recruitment in the construction industry was scaling back. She got her job the following year and now gives you her tips on how to get a construction job during tough times.
Applications
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Good and bad sample application answers for construction jobs
Aman Gill, a graduate recruiter at Arup, analyses sample answers to civil engineering, quantity surveying and construction graduate scheme application form questions and says whether the candidates would be invited to an assessment centre or interview.
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Your must-read guide to construction graduate job applications
Follow our advice when filling in applications for civil and structural engineering, construction, quantity surveying and building surveying graduate jobs.
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CVs and covering letters for jobs in civil engineering, construction and surveying
How to structure your CV and covering letter for construction industry jobs in civil and structural engineering, management and surveying.
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How to get a graduate job in architectural technology
There are relatively few advertised vacancies in architectural technology – graduates often get hired through speculative applications. Read on for tips on how to secure an architectural technologist job by applying ‘on spec’.
Interviews and assessment centres
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Construction interview questions and how to answer
Got an interview for a graduate job in civil engineering, construction or surveying? Treat the interview as a mutually beneficial conversation: be polite, be professional but, above all, be yourself.
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Essential skills for construction industry jobs and how to show employers you have them
Discover the non-technical skills you’ll need to get a graduate job in construction, civil engineering, quantity surveying or site management.
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Graduate construction assessment centres: what to expect
We went undercover at a construction assessment centre to find out exactly what they involve. Read our tips on impressing employers and getting the graduate construction or surveying job you want.
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Construction commercial awareness interview questions & tips
All construction graduates – from architects to civil engineers to quantity surveyors – will be expected to be commercially savvy. Here's how to demonstrate your commercial thinking to interviewers.
Internships and placements
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No internship in construction, QS or engineering? What to do instead
If you aren’t offered a formal work experience placement with a construction employer, there are still things you can do to enhance your graduate CV. There are other ways to build up evidence of your interest in the construction industry and your general capabilities.
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Construction, civil engineering and QS interns: how to impress
Got an internship, summer placement or industrial year lined up? Make a great impression and you’re likely to gain a graduate job offer and sponsorship for your final year. Here’s how.
Job descriptions
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Architect: job description
Architects design new buildings and suggest alterations to existing buildings.
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Facilities manager: job description
Facilities managers are responsible for the security, maintenance and services of work facilities to ensure that they meet the needs of the organisation and its employees.
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Architectural technologist: job description
Architectural technologists work closely with architects, helping to ensure that their designs develop into fully operational structures.
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Geomatics/land surveyor: job description
Geomatics/land surveyors carry out measurements and collect and interpret data about areas of land, including information about boundaries, buildings and both natural and man-made features.
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Building control officer/surveyor: job description
Building control officers (also known as building control surveyors) are responsible for overseeing the work of building surveyors and ensuring that building construction regulations are adhered to.
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Landscape architect: job description
Landscape architects are responsible for creating natural and built environments that are aesthetically pleasing as well as practical, in both urban and rural areas.
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Building services engineer: job description
Building services engineers advise about, design, install and maintain cost-effective and energy efficient systems for building services such as water, lighting, heating, air conditioning, lifts, and telecoms.
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Civil engineer: job description
Civil engineers design, plan and oversee construction projects such as railways and roads.
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Site engineer: job description
Site engineers provide technical advice about, plan, organise and supervise construction projects.
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Site manager: job description
Site managers, also known as construction managers, are responsible for supervising construction sites and running construction projects.
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Environmental manager: job description
Environmental managers are responsible for overseeing the environmental performance of private and public sector organisations and for developing, implementing and monitoring environmental strategies that promote sustainable development.