Compiled from: Mathu and Gichuiri Associates Ltd. http://www.mathuandgichuiri.com What does Quantity Surveying entail? Quantity surveying is a professional activity that is mostly undertaken in a construction site by professionals known as quantity surveyors. The major duty of a quantity surveyor is to calculate the cost of construction. Other duties include; coming up with ways to minimize the above costs, project management, keeping the project within the budget, getting/giving contracts and resolving disputes between contracting parties.
Careers in quantity surveying are vast, but they have one goal; to ensure that they cut costs yet still build high quality structures and buildings. Quantity surveyors are usually involved in the construction from the day of the first bid to the final finish on the building. This shows how quantity surveying is a sought after profession.
Tips on how to apply for a Quantity Surveying job in Kenya You have gone to college or university and have studied quantity surveying. The next thing you are thinking of is how to get a job min a construction firm and put what you have learnt into practice. That can be the hardest part of job seeking; the moment you realize that job seeking also requires a dose of skill. Before are a few tips that can help in your quest for a job as a surveyor:
Your student internship is your experience
Most graduates complain that they find it difficult to get jobs because they lack experience. That is not true at all. The employer also knows that you are a fresh graduate who has never been employed elsewhere. But he also knows that as a basic requirement before you graduate, you need to go for industrial attachment; that is your selling point. Indicate that in your application letter and let them know that you have some experience in the field you are applying for.
Include your responsibilities in the application letter
To help your potential employer to know what you are about, indicate in the letter of application the duties you undertook during your internship. This will help them know your strengths and abilities and will improve your chances of being selected by giving clear information on what you know. Do not forget to add the activities you were involved in during your time as a student. For instance, if you were a member of a club, or a student leader, or you worked somewhere part time, include it. This will show that you have some skills that might be of help to the company you want to hire you.
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Do your research
You need to do a thorough research on the quantity surveying firm you are applying at to know all you need to know about them, what they do, how they do it, where they are based and so much more. This will depict you as a person who has a genuine interest in the job they are applying for and the company as a whole. It will be impressive to your potential employers if they ask you about them in an interview and you narrate it confidently like you were there since the company began.
Once you get the job: After your application and you get lucky to be selected for a job in quantity surveying, there are still a few things that you should keep in mind:
Stay open minded
It is said that the mind is like an umbrella or a parachute, it functions only while open. You need to be open minded and ready to learn. You will realize that there are a lot of things to learn beyond the classroom and that can only happen if you don’t become rigid.
Be prepared to do the real job
Forget the notes and theory in the classroom. This is now the real job at your disposal and you have to be ready for it. You will face challenges along the way, but it is your ability to withstand and learn from them that will make you succeed. When you work closely with the quantity surveying staff in your office, once the project is completed and you see the final results, you will feel accomplished. Engage in industry bodies This will help in boosting your confidence in your preferred field. Stay closer to more experienced people and learn a lot from them. Join industry bodies and even social media pages from which you will get insights to add on to your knowledge.
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