Career Advice for a Civils Quantity Surveyor

As a Civils Quantity Surveyor, you will use your knowledge of construction and finance to manage the costs of civil engineering projects.

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How to Become a Civils Quantity Surveyor

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Civils Quantity Surveyor

Should you wish to work as a Civils Quantity Surveyor you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Civils Quantity Surveyor

  • A degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
  • Membership of a professional body such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Key Responsibilities for a Civils Quantity Surveyor

  • Preparing cost estimates and budgets for construction projects.
  • Managing project finances and ensuring they are kept within budget.
  • Negotiating with contractors and suppliers to get the best prices for materials and services.
  • Preparing and submitting progress reports to clients and stakeholders.
  • Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Managing and mentoring junior staff.

What to expect as a Civils Quantity Surveyor

As a Civils Quantity Surveyor in the UK, you can work for construction companies, engineering firms, or government agencies.

You will be responsible for managing the costs of construction projects, ensuring they are completed within budget and on time.

Recommended Civils Quantity Surveyor Jobs

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How to get Civils Quantity Surveyor Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Civils Quantity Surveyor job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Civils Quantity Surveyor application. If you have not held a Civils Quantity Surveyor position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Civils Quantity Surveyor role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Civils Quantity Surveyor CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Civils Quantity Surveyor application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Civils Quantity Surveyor in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Civils Quantity Surveyor 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Civils Quantity Surveyor and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Civils Quantity Surveyor experience.

How to get Civils Quantity Surveyor Experience

What does it take to be a Civils Quantity Surveyor? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Civils Quantity Surveyor jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Civils Quantity Surveyor through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Civils Quantity Surveyor Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Civils Quantity Surveyor part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Civils Quantity Surveyor or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Civils Quantity Surveyor freelance work

If you have impressive Civils Quantity Surveyor qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.