Writing a Quantity Surveyor CV: Guide + example

A strong Quantity Surveyor CV coupled with a strong QS cover letter is what will get you a job over somebody that is stronger than you. From choosing the perfect format to excluding irrelevant and fluffy content, there's an art to building a CV that stands out in a competitive field. I'll guide you through the essentials of writing a CV that not only ticks all the boxes but also make you sound better than you are, making sure you're seen as the top candidate for any quantity surveying role. Let’s dive into how you can transform your CV so that it opens doors to Quantity Surveyor interviews.

Writing a great Quantity Surveyor CV

Essential Sections to Include

Personal Details and Contact Information: Always provide your full name, phone number, email address, and a link to your LinkedIn profile. This ensures potential employers can contact you easily and view your professional online presence. No need to write your postal address!

Summary: Write a brief yet powerful summary of your experience, skills, and career goals. This section should be tailored for each job application to reflect what the employer is seeking.

Work Experience: This section is organised in reverse chronological order. I focus on highlighting your responsibilities and achievements that showcase your capability and depth in quantity surveying.

Education: Add degrees, dates, qualifications etc.

Skills: Focus on technical and language skills. Avoid writing unprovable skills that anybody could write like "problem-solving"

Choosing the Correct Format

When choosing the format for your CV, consistency and readability matter. Here’s my guidance:

Skills to highlight in a Quantity Surveyor CV

Technical Quantity Surveyor Skills

When writing the technical skills section of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) CV, focus on relevant, job-specific abilities that showcase your expertise in cost estimation, project management, contract administration, and construction technology. Use bullet points to list key skills like proficiency in cost management software (e.g., CostX, Bluebeam), knowledge of construction contracts (e.g., NEC, JCT), and experience with budgeting, tendering, and financial reporting. Be concise and avoid vague terms, ensuring each skill directly supports your ability to handle the responsibilities of a QS role. Tailor the section to match the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for.

Communication and Negotiation Skills

Effective communication skills are essential. They ensure that project details are articulated clearly to all stakeholders, fostering collaborative and productive environments. Moreover, adept negotiation skills are indispensable. They enable quantity surveyors to secure favorable terms and manage contracts efficiently, which in turn, can lead to substantial savings and successful project outcomes.

Good Maths and Financial Skills

In the maths and financial skills section of a Quantity Surveyor CV, highlight your proficiency in cost control, budgeting, and financial forecasting. Focus on abilities like performing accurate cost estimations, conducting cash flow analysis, managing project budgets, and handling financial reporting. Mention expertise in value engineering, cost-benefit analysis, and financial risk management. Demonstrate your ability to analyze and interpret data, ensuring project cost-efficiency while maintaining profitability. Keep it concise, focusing on skills that are directly applicable to QS responsibilities and financial decision-making.

Software Skills

In the software skills section of a Quantity Surveyor CV, list tools that are essential for project cost management and efficiency. Include proficiency in industry-specific software such as CostX, Bluebeam, or PlanSwift for measurement and estimating, as well as project management tools like MS Project or Primavera. Highlight experience with financial software like SAP or Oracle for cost control and reporting. Mention advanced Excel skills, including data analysis and financial modeling. Keep the list targeted, focusing on software that enhances productivity and aligns with the technical requirements of the QS role.

Good Time Management

Exemplary time management is another critical skill. It helps in prioritising tasks and meeting project deadlines, which is vital in the dynamic field of construction where delays can lead to increased costs and stakeholder dissatisfaction.

High Level of Creativity

A high level of creativity is increasingly recognised as beneficial for quantity surveyors. It aids in problem-solving and in devising innovative solutions that meet complex project requirements within the constraints of time and budget.

Good Motivation Level

Staying motivated is key to a quantity surveyor's success. High motivation levels propel persistence and dedication throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that all tasks are completed with the highest standard of quality and within the stipulated timelines.

People skills

You’ll be interacting with a wide range of individuals—clients, contractors, architects, and engineers—on a daily basis. Showcasing your ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with diverse teams, and build strong relationships can make a significant difference. After all, people tend to hire individuals they personally like and connect with, and we’re all influenced by our own biases. Emphasizing your interpersonal skills not only demonstrates your professional capabilities but also appeals to the human element in the hiring process.

Quantity Surveyor CV Tips

Structuring Each Job

For each role you’ve held, start by listing the job title, the name of the employer, and the dates of employment. Underneath, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on quantifying your contributions, like cost savings or the percentage of projects delivered on time, to provide concrete examples of your impact. List all relevant experience, whether it's construction management or your time as estimator.

How to Structure Your Career History

When detailing your career history, structure it chronologically, starting with the most recent position. This allows potential employers to see your progression and the expanding scope of your responsibilities. Ensure that each entry clearly outlines your role, key responsibilities, and the skills you applied or developed.

Don't add Numbers that can't be Contextualised

Incorporating numbers into your CV makes your accomplishments stand out, but it’s crucial to ensure these numbers are meaningful and provide context. For instance, instead of just stating you managed a project budget of £2 million, explain the project’s scope and impact. Mentioning a 15% reduction in costs is more effective if you also describe how you achieved this through efficient contract management and specify that it was a reduction out of a £10 million budget, for example. Make it clear how you personally drove that impact, rather than someone else. Providing context helps quantify your effectiveness and showcases your capability to handle significant responsibilities, making your achievements more relatable and impressive to potential employers.

Don't add fluffy skills:

Don't write that you're good at "problem solving" or something subjective and unprovable - anybody can write that! List your most pertinent skills that relate directly to quantity surveying roles: cost management, contract administration, and proficiency in essential software like AutoCAD or CostX.

Project and budget sizes

Be specific and concise by including key metrics such as project budget, scale, and scope. For each project, list the budget size next to the project name.

Contract Forms

Specify the contract forms you have experience with, such as NEC3/4, JCT, or NR. This detail is not only a keyword that hiring managers might look for but also highlights your versatility and adaptability in managing different types of contracts within the construction sector.

List Key Projects You’ve Worked on as a Quantity Surveyor

List significant projects you’ve been involved with, specifying the scope of the project, the budget, and your role. For high-profile or complex projects, detailing the challenges faced and the solutions you implemented demonstrates your problem-solving skills and your ability to deliver under pressure.

Specify your involvement

An effective job description on your CV includes action verbs that convey your involvement. For example, “Administered the redevelopment of a Grade II listed building, overseeing a budget of £5 million, which resulted in the project’s completion three weeks ahead of schedule and under budget.”

Using Industry-Specific Language and Terms

Use industry-specific terminology that aligns with the job you are applying for. Terms like “cost valuation,” “budget management,” and “compliance regulation” are integral to your field, showing that you possess the professional knowledge and language fluency expected in a high-calibre quantity surveyor.

Pursuing a Professional Memberships for a QS CV

Belonging to professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) hugely benefits a Quantity Surveyor's CV. When adding these to your CV, include the level of membership and any active roles you hold within the organisation. For instance, if you're a full member of RICS, I would list it like:

If you don't have these qualifications, but you want to have them or you're pursuing them, that's ok! Write this down, and show that you have the ambition to get them.

Tailoring Your QS CV for Different Job Applications to pass the AI systems

Call out your level of interaction with BIM professionals

Highlight your collaboration with digital professionals, such as BIM managers, to demonstrate your adaptability and proficiency in modern construction practices. Be sure to emphasize your experience working within digital environments and managing costs in projects that leverage Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools. Mention specific instances where your role as a Quantity Surveyor benefited from integrating with BIM processes, such as improving accuracy in cost estimation, streamlining procurement, or enhancing communication between project teams. 

Quantity Surveyor CV Example