Facilities Management Career Advice

Facilities management professionals perform, supervise, or manage a wide range of tasks and jobs. In this role, you will be responsible for the running of premises and their grounds. You might talk to clients, vendors, and contractors on aspects such as security, communications, safety, cleaning, maintenance, and efficiency.

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How to Work in the Facilities Management sector

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 get a job in Facilities Management

Should you wish to work in Facilities Management 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 Facilities Management Job

  • 1 A level and foundation degree, or
  • 2 or 3 A levels and a degree

Core Facilities Management Skills

To be successful, you should be highly organised, be able to build relationships, make decisions, and work under pressure. Time management, flexibility, negotiating, writing, planning and coordination, and computer skills are essential.

If this sounds like you, a career in facilities management is waiting.

Key Responsibilities for a Facilities Management Job

  • Undertake, manage, or oversee building works, maintenance, refurbishment, and renovations
  • Inspecting and repairing plumbing and electrical services
  • Ensuring health and safety compliance
  • Managing waste disposal and cleaning
  • Providing a constant security presence
  • Maintaining or installing communication equipment
  • Installing or maintaining air conditioning and HVAC systems
  • Manage parking facilities

What to expect in a Facilities Management Job

Facilities management may entail various duties and positions focused on maintaining the premises' performance, safety, and presentation. You may work in a managerial or supervisory role and have involvement with budgets, groundskeeping, communication, electrical, plumbing, security, and ventilation services. To find success, you should have excellent communication skills for engaging with professionals, contractors, clients, and owners. You might work unusual hours and be tasked with improving the facility's efficiency and introducing policies and procedures.

Recommended Facilities Management Jobs

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How to get Facilities Management Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Facilities Management job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Facilities Management application. If you have not held a Facilities Management position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Facilities Management 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 Facilities Management CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Facilities Management 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 Facilities Management 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 Facilities Management 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Facilities Management 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 Facilities Management experience.

How to get Facilities Management Experience

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

How to be a Facilities Management Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Facilities Management part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Facilities Management 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. 

Facilities Management freelance work

If you have impressive Facilities Management 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.