Job hunting decisions and tips
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A woman's world: advice for women in architecture, construction, engineering and surveying
'Speak up', 'own your career progression' and 'forget about perfection' are just some of the pieces of advice for female students and graduates in the construction and engineering industries that TARGETjobs has heard over the years.
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Five tips on getting a graduate QS job, by a graduate quantity surveyor
Edward Shryane is a graduate quantity surveyor at Gardiner & Theobald LLP. He recalls the process through which he got his job and shares what he learned from the experience.
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What graduate quantity surveyors do in their jobs
Don't even think about applying to a quantity surveying employer unless you understand what the day-to-day job of a quantity surveyor involves and how your likely career progression: these are key application and interview questions.
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2.2s: which employers accept them in construction, civil engineering and quantity surveying?
'I have got a 2.2 in my degree. How can I start a career in construction, civil engineering and quantity surveying?' We investigate which employers accept job applications from candidates who haven't got a 2.1.
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How graduates with any degree subject can start a career in quantity surveying or building surveying
Careers in quantity and building surveying are open to graduates from all degree disciplines. If you haven’t got a relevant degree, you’ll need to ‘convert’ to surveying by studying an RICS-accredited postgraduate conversion course.
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Top networking tips for student civil engineers, quantity surveyors and construction managers
Networking can make your search for graduate jobs and internships easier – it’s a skill that construction professionals use all the time.
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What do graduate building surveyors do in their jobs?
Find out whether a graduate job as a building surveyor is right for you: read about what the day job would involve, the qualities you’ll need to be successful and how your career is likely to progress.
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Handling construction job offers: accepting, rejecting and playing for time
Whether you are accepting, rejecting or delaying a job offer it is crucial that you remain courteous and professional in your communication.
Applications
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Good and bad sample application answers for construction jobs
Aman Gill, a graduate recruiter at Arup, reviews example answers to application form questions for civil engineering, quantity surveying and construction jobs. Find out how to write the best application form.
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Applications tip for quantity surveyors: know how consultancies and contractors differ
Not knowing whether you are applying to a contractor or a consultant can seriously harm your quantity surveying job prospects. We explain what you need to know for graduate applications and interviews.
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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.
Interviews and assessment centres
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Impressing in quantity surveying and building surveying technical interviews
You may be tested on your technical knowledge during graduate quantity surveying or building surveying job interviews or assessment centre exercises. Read on for some practice questions and advice on how to answer them.
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Construction interview questions and how to answer
Got an interview for a graduate job in civil engineering, construction or surveying? Prep by practising answers to these questions, gleaned from top construction recruiters.
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Three top tips for tackling construction employers' video interviews
Got a video interview with a construction employer? Whether you are applying for an engineering, management or surveying job, you need to read this expert advice from Wates on showing your best side.
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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: whether as an architect, civil engineer, quantity surveyor, site manager, facilities manager or building services engineer.
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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.
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Graduate assessment centre and interview advice for quantity surveyors
At an assessment centre for a job as a graduate quantity surveyor, cost consultant or commercial manager, recruiters want to find out whether you have the skills and motivations to succeed at that company.
Internships and placements
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Construction work experience: what you need and how to get it
Construction, civil engineering and quantity surveying work experience, internships, sandwich years and placements… discover when (and how) to apply, and how to secure your place on one.
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Construction, civil engineering and QS interns: how to impress
Making a great impression on a summer internship or industrial placement year can lead to a constriction graduate job offer. We reveal how to be a good intern – better than good even – from your first day to your final hour.
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A quantity surveying intern speaks: how to get an internship
A student who has completed a placement year in quantity surveying advises you on making successful work experience applications.
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No internship in construction, QS or engineering? What to do instead
Your chances of getting a graduate job with a construction, engineering or surveying employer aren’t necessarily over if you don’t get an industry internship or placement.
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Employers offering summer internships and industrial placement years in civil engineering, construction and quantity surveying
Internships and sandwich-year placements in the construction industry for university students: read our at-a-glance guide to which employer is offering what.
Pay and progression
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Salary guide: how much you earn in civil engineering, construction and surveying careers
Research graduate salaries in construction industry jobs, including those in civil engineering, structural engineering, construction management, architecture, quantity surveying and building surveying.
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Becoming a chartered quantity or building surveyor: information on the APC for graduates
Read on to find out about gaining chartership with RICS and how you can impress graduate recruiters in applications and interviews with your knowledge of professional development.
Job descriptions
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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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Building surveyor: job description
Building surveyors provide technical advice to construction and property professionals, as well as to property owners.
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Quantity surveyor: job description
Quantity surveyors are responsible for managing all aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects.