In today’s competitive job market, having a well-crafted CV or resume is crucial, especially for professionals like quantity surveyors. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out in the field, presenting your skills and experiences in the right way can make all the difference. But how do you ensure your CV stands out and captures the attention of potential employers? In this article, we’ll guide you through the essentials of crafting a compelling quantity surveyor CV, complete with a practical example. No jargon, no fluff—just straightforward advice to help you put your best foot forward.
Contents
- 1 Read the job description / advert
- 2 Research The Company
- 3 Find a Good CV Template
- 4 Write 2 or 3 Bullet Points as a ‘Professional Summary’
- 5 Detail your employment history
- 6 Detail your education history
- 7 CV Structure
- 8 WHAT NOT TO DO
- 9 Quantity Surveyor CV Tips – A Brief Recap
- 10 Quantity Surveyor CV Example
Read the job description / advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Quantity Surveyor Job Description Example
Job Vacancy: Quantity Surveyor
Company: ABC Construction Ltd.
Position: Quantity Surveyor
Job Type: Full-Time
About Us: ABC Construction Ltd. is a leading construction firm with a reputation for delivering high-quality projects across various sectors. We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. As we continue to grow, we’re seeking a dedicated Quantity Surveyor to join our dynamic team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare cost plans to enable design teams to produce practical designs for construction projects.
- Conduct feasibility studies and early-stage cost advice and cost planning.
- Manage and oversee all commercial aspects of construction projects, ensuring that projects are completed within budget.
- Measure and value work done on-site and certify payments.
- Negotiate and draft final accounts.
- Provide advice on contractual disputes and offer guidance on their resolution.
- Collaborate with project managers, design teams, and contractors to ensure smooth workflow.
- Monitor and keep track of project progress and adjust budget projections accordingly.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying or a related field.
- Membership in a recognized professional body such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is an advantage.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in quantity surveying, preferably in the construction sector.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and negotiation skills.
- Proficient in relevant software such as CostX, BuildSoft, or similar.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and retirement plans.
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
Join us at ABC Construction Ltd. and be a part of a team that shapes the future of construction. We look forward to building success together!
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find a Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 or 3 Bullet Points as a ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Quantity Surveyor Professional Summary Example
Chartered Quantity Surveyor with over 8 years of experience in the construction industry, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Successfully managed and delivered budgeting and cost control for a $50 million infrastructure project, resulting in a 10% cost saving without compromising on quality.
Recently spearheaded the commercial aspects of three residential projects, collaborating closely with design teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure timely and within-budget delivery.
Detail your employment history
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When noting down your duties in your Quantity Surveyor CV, don’t just reel off a list. Instead, frame your tasks around your successes. Rather than writing “Handled cost evaluations,” you could say, “Accurately assessed and cut costs by 10% across three major building projects, saving a total of $2,000,000.” This way, you’re not just saying what you did, but also showing the positive impact you made. It gives a clearer picture of your capabilities and the value you bring as a Quantity Surveyor. Remember, it’s about showcasing your wins within your roles.
Detail your education history
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Quantity Surveyor CV Tips – A Brief Recap
1. Start with a Strong Profile Begin your CV with a brief summary that highlights your skills, experience, and what you bring to the table as a Quantity Surveyor. This sets the tone and gives employers a snapshot of your expertise. 👤
2. Quantify Achievements Whenever possible, use numbers to showcase your accomplishments. For instance, “Saved 10% on project costs” is more impactful than “Managed project costs.” 💰
3. Tailor to the Job Customize your CV for each job application. Highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the specific role you’re applying for. ✂️
4. Use Relevant Keywords Ensure you include industry-specific terms and phrases that employers might look for. This not only showcases your knowledge but can also be beneficial if employers use software to scan CVs. 🔍
5. Highlight Technical Proficiency Mention any software or tools you’re familiar with, such as CostX or BuildSoft. This shows you’re up-to-date with the latest industry tools. 💻
6. Keep It Concise Aim for a CV that’s clear and to the point. Avoid lengthy paragraphs; use bullet points to make it easy for employers to scan. 📄
7. Proofread Carefully Errors can leave a bad impression. Double-check your CV for any typos or grammatical mistakes before sending it out. ✅
8. Include Professional Development If you’ve attended workshops, courses, or seminars relevant to Quantity Surveying, be sure to include them. It demonstrates your commitment to staying updated in your field. 🎓
Quantity Surveyor CV Example
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.