The role of a Quantity Surveyor is pivotal in the construction and real estate sectors. Tasked with managing costs, contracts, and project budgets, Quantity Surveyors ensure that construction projects are delivered on time and within financial constraints. The job often requires meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with project managers, architects, and contractors. In the UK, the average salary for a Quantity Surveyor ranges from £35,000 for entry-level positions to over £60,000 for senior roles, with potential bonuses for high-profile projects. This combination of responsibility and reward makes crafting a standout Quantity Surveyor CV crucial to securing an interview and advancing your career.
Understanding the Job Description for a Quantity Surveyor
Before creating your CV, it’s essential to understand what employers are looking for. A typical Quantity Surveyor job description may include:
Preparing detailed cost estimates and budgets for construction projects
Managing procurement, tendering, and contract administration
Monitoring project costs and providing accurate financial reporting
Collaborating with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure value for money
Identifying and mitigating risks to prevent budget overruns
Employers value candidates who combine technical expertise with excellent communication and negotiation skills. Highlighting these qualities on your CV can significantly improve your chances of landing an interview.
Why a Well-Structured CV Matters
A professionally structured CV acts as your personal marketing document. In a competitive industry, an employer often spends less than 30 seconds scanning each CV. Therefore, clarity, structure, and relevance are key. Using a CV template tailored to the Quantity Surveyor role can help showcase your experience, skills, and qualifications in a concise and impactful way.
Crafting Your Quantity Surveyor CV: Step-by-Step
1. Personal Details and Professional Summary
Start your Quantity Surveyor CV with your full name, contact information, and LinkedIn profile. Follow this with a strong professional summary: a brief, impactful paragraph highlighting your experience, key achievements, and career aspirations. This section should immediately grab the recruiter’s attention and communicate your value.
2. Core Skills and Competencies
Include a section dedicated to core skills. Focus on industry-specific competencies such as:
Cost planning and control
Contract management and procurement
Risk analysis and mitigation
Construction law and regulations
Use of software like AutoCAD, CostX, and MS Project
Bullet points improve readability and help applicant tracking systems (ATS) pick up essential keywords.
3. Professional Experience
List your employment history in reverse chronological order. Include your job title, company, location, and dates of employment. For each role, use bullet points to detail your responsibilities and achievements. Wherever possible, quantify your impact, for example:
Successfully managed a £10M commercial project, completing it 5% under budget
Negotiated contracts that saved the company £250K annually
Implemented cost control measures reducing wastage by 15%
4. Education and Professional Qualifications
Detail your academic background, professional certifications, and any continuing education relevant to the Quantity Surveyor role. This might include:
BSc or MSc in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management
RICS or CIOB membership
Any specialised courses in construction law, cost management, or project planning
5. Additional Information
Include sections such as professional memberships, technical proficiencies, languages spoken, and interests if they add value to your profile.
CV Tips for Graduates
If you’re a graduate entering the Quantity Surveying field, your CV should emphasise transferable skills, internships, and academic achievements. Highlight projects completed during your degree, placements, and any volunteer work related to construction or project management. Tailor your cv template to show your potential rather than just experience.
CV Tips for Middle and Senior Management
For experienced professionals, the focus should be on achievements and leadership experience. Highlight high-value projects, budget responsibility, and teams you’ve managed. Quantify results wherever possible, and demonstrate your ability to drive strategic decisions, mentor junior staff, and deliver complex projects efficiently. A cv example for senior roles should reflect professionalism, expertise, and measurable outcomes.
General CV Structure Advice
A well-structured CV should include the following sections:
Header – Name, contact info, LinkedIn link
Professional Summary – 3-4 sentences summarising your experience and value
Key Skills – Industry-specific competencies
Professional Experience – Bullet points highlighting achievements
Education & Qualifications – Academic and professional credentials
Additional Information – Languages, memberships, software proficiency
Do’s and Don’ts of a Quantity Surveyor CV
Do:
Use a clean, professional layout and font
Tailor your CV for each job application
Include quantifiable achievements
Use industry-specific keywords for SEO and ATS compatibility
Keep your CV concise and relevant, ideally 2 pages
Don’t:
Include irrelevant work experience
Use generic statements like “hardworking” without evidence
Overcomplicate formatting with graphics or images
Lie or exaggerate your experience
Forget to proofread – spelling or grammatical errors can cost you an interview
Optimising Your CV for Google and Recruiters
When creating a CV online or sharing your profile, using the right keywords helps improve visibility. Terms like Quantity Surveyor CV, cv template, and cv example should appear naturally throughout your CV. Embedding hyperlinks to reputable resources, such as Quantity Surveyor, can also help with credibility if shared online.
Persuasive Advice to Secure an Interview
Creating a Quantity Surveyor CV template is only the first step. It’s essential to present your experience in a way that immediately signals your competence and potential. Use action verbs like “managed,” “negotiated,” “delivered,” and “implemented” to demonstrate impact. Tailor every CV submission to the specific role, highlighting the skills most relevant to the employer’s needs. Remember, a CV is your personal marketing tool – treat it with the care and attention you would a business proposal.
Final Thoughts and Invitation
Your Quantity Surveyor CV is your gateway to the next step in your career. Whether you’re a graduate starting out, or a senior professional looking for your next leadership role, the right CV can make all the difference. By following the guidance above, using a professional cv template, and strategically highlighting your achievements, you’ll position yourself as a top candidate in the competitive construction and real estate sectors.
For those who want to fast-track their success, I invite you to book an appointment to have your CV and LinkedIn profile professionally reviewed and optimised. Together, we can craft an interview-winning cv example that reflects your skills, achievements, and career aspirations. Secure your appointment here: Book an appointment.
Take charge of your career today – a polished, professional CV can open doors you never thought possible. With over 25 years of experience in career coaching, I, Jerry Frempong, am committed to helping ambitious professionals like you land the roles they deserve.
