What to include of your CV:
Personal Details
Use this to include your name (inc. “letters after the name”, primary (or desired) location, date of birth, and marital status. State whether you have a driving licence.
SUMMARY
A brief overview of your career, your aspirations, successes and experience in brief.
EXPERIENCE
List in chronological order, with the most recent first. Include dates for each position was held. Include the name of the firm, your job title and location. Here you can list in some detail, your experience with each position:
- PROJECT / KEY ACHIEVEMENTS / CONTRACT / VALUE
Include significant projects you have worked on and if you have developed a specialism. Such as, business development skills, include this information.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Listed in chronological order, with the most recent first. Graduates through to Associates are advised to include A-level/BTEC results as well as degree/Masters results. Include professional accreditations, such as MRICS or MCIOB.
SKILLS, ABILITIES
For example: Management, technical and business development skills.
I.T. SKILLS
Examples such as i.e. Microsoft office, GIS skills, specific software such as CostX
Language Skills
List any languages you are familiar with here, including your level of expertise.
Additional Information
Add something a little more personal here, hobbies, at the end of the CV helps.
Interview Advice
- Research
Show a specific interest in the company you are interviewing, make sure you’ve done your homework on the sectors, main clients and most interesting or high-profile projects. Research the company website beforehand. - Treat your interviewer as an equal
Don’t think of an interview as a “test” as “pass” or “fail” – think of it as a meeting between two professionals to establish whether working together will work. Do not give the impression that you are “too good” for the company (if you think that, you shouldn’t be there at all!) but be confident, assertive and don’t be afraid to be honest about concerns you have. Set out what you can offer, as well as finding out what they can do for you, and look for common ground in your ambitions and approaches to planning ahead. - Dress professionally
Surveying is a professional industry where employees are expected to dress professionally – doing so shows that you understand the importance of professionalism. Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes fit correctly and that your accessories are subtle. Men, always wear a suit and tie. - Present yourself well
Speak clearly and slowly – people speak faster when they are nervous, so if you feel nervous take a breath in between sentences. Demonstrate open, positive body language and don’t fidget. Maintain eye contact. - Ask questions
Always have some questions for your interviewer to show interest. Prepare five questions, about the role, the company culture and working environment. You do not need to wait until the end to ask questions, the best interviews flow naturally. Ask questions when they are relevant to the conversation.
Interview Questions
Have some questions for your interviewer to show your interest. Prepare questions, about the role itself as well as the culture of the company and the working environment. You do not need to wait until the end to ask these questions, the best interviews flow naturally so ask questions when relevant.
The “best” questions depend on the role and how the interview progresses – often spur of the moment during conversation between the candidate and the interviewer. However, here are some suggestions:
The Role
- What is the team structure?
- Who will I be reporting to? Who will report to me?
- Perhaps some technical questions.
The company / workplace
- What is the team like? What are their backgrounds?
- What do you like most about working here?
- What are the firm’s aspirations for the next ten years?
Future prospects
- What opportunities for progression are there?
- What is the estimated timescale for a Senior to progress to Associate level?
- What continuing professional development (CPD)?
- What MRICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) support is there?
- What Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB) support is there?
UK Salary Survey
Please find below latest salary survey. This document represents basic salary only (other factors are often also included at more Senior appointments, i.e. car allowance, pensions, bonuses etc.) Note London and South East will vary.
UK Regions
- Graduates – candidates with some or very limited experience, often just out of university, but some may have brief experience through work placements. Expected salary range: £18K– £30K.
- Surveyor – candidates who are working towards submitting their APC or have recently become MRICS accredited. These candidates usually become Senior Surveyors after a couple of years, so the range in salary reflects this running from approximately £25K up to £35K.
- Senior Surveyor – candidates who have typically built up 2yrs+ experience after qualification (or equivalent in local authority) – the Senior Surveyors’ range of salaries can also vary quite widely due to the different experience levels, ranging from roughly £30K – £50K
- Principal Surveyor – a level that is not always offered and sometimes organisations will skip this level completely and go straight to Associate – however, when offered, the Principal Surveyor level will vary between approximately £45K – £65K.
- Associate – a highly varied level due to the differences in how organisations view the ‘Associate’. Often around 7yrs+ PQE (post qualification experience). Largely depends on experience and things can vary due to business development and client connections. Range from £55K – £70K.
- Senior Associate / Associate Director – with developed experience from the Associate, candidates at this level can have either advanced technical skills or a strong client book, or both. Salary guide from £60K – £80K.
- Director / Partner – possibly the most widely varied of all levels due to a number of factors including business development, company ownership, experience within the industry, contacts, clients and overall success at the top level of Surveying. Salary range from £70K – £100K+