Quantity Surveyor Interview
Discussion
Hi All,
I just wanted to ask for some advice for a job interview that I have coming up shortly.
This is a role I am really keen to obtain just want to be as clued up as possible for the interview itself. The job description states that I will need to be a "experienced quantity surveyor" (Which I'm not, however I have lots of similar experience and skills in my current role).
The only technical qualifications they are requesting are Basic GCSE's which is no problem at all. I just want a heads up on how I can be as prepared as possible for the interview.
I've spoken to somebody and he mentioned there is a lot of contract reviewing, price negotiating etc. involved in a QS role.
What does a Quantity Surveyor do on a day to day basis?
Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks guys
I just wanted to ask for some advice for a job interview that I have coming up shortly.
This is a role I am really keen to obtain just want to be as clued up as possible for the interview itself. The job description states that I will need to be a "experienced quantity surveyor" (Which I'm not, however I have lots of similar experience and skills in my current role).
The only technical qualifications they are requesting are Basic GCSE's which is no problem at all. I just want a heads up on how I can be as prepared as possible for the interview.
I've spoken to somebody and he mentioned there is a lot of contract reviewing, price negotiating etc. involved in a QS role.
What does a Quantity Surveyor do on a day to day basis?
Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks guys
A QS is, very basically, responsible for costing a project and saving money where possible.
This would involve:
I do a role that is not too disimilar at the moment, so most of this is normal stuff. If you haven't got a lot of experience in the above points, you may find it difficult. It helps if you have a head for figures and good engineering knowledge; it's not essential but it will give you a decent edge career wise.
What is your current experience, if you don't mind me asking? How large is the company you are applying for? M&E or structural?
This would involve:
- Assisting the estimators at tender stage to submit a realistic bid.
- Looking at alternative designs/materials that reduce cost, but are still spec compliant.
- Reviewing value engineering solutions and applying them where appropriate.
- Negotiating with suppliers.
- Risk management.
- Outlining the base scope of works.
- Pricing variations.
- Cost and budget control.
I do a role that is not too disimilar at the moment, so most of this is normal stuff. If you haven't got a lot of experience in the above points, you may find it difficult. It helps if you have a head for figures and good engineering knowledge; it's not essential but it will give you a decent edge career wise.
What is your current experience, if you don't mind me asking? How large is the company you are applying for? M&E or structural?
My current experience is very relevant to the company I am applying for. I will coming from Distribution Network Operator to another, so in excess of 5,000 employees. I have always been in the Electricity/Transmission/Distribution industry so have a strong background.
In my current role I am designing electrical connections so as much as I am in contact with customers and give them quotations for the works that are required, I do not set the prices merely indicate the costs that are involved.
In my current role I am designing electrical connections so as much as I am in contact with customers and give them quotations for the works that are required, I do not set the prices merely indicate the costs that are involved.
It's difficult to say without knowing which part of the industry you're interviewing in.
There are generally two sides of the industry for a QS. There's the PQS role and the Contractor QS role.
It sounds like you may be going for the contractor QS role in which case the answers above by Beaver are relevant. If it's PQS then you're looking at a whole different job role.
Have a look at some QS job adverts for some ideas of what would be expected of you. It's a good time to be moving into this. You'll need thick skin and a good head for numbers. Don't worry about being expected to know everything as I'll guarantee that everybody in this industry no matter how old is still learning. You could ideally do with gaining some construction knowledge as it'll help in the long run. If you know how things are put together you'll have a better understanding of how much they should cost.
I've changed slightly now but my previous job was with a large contractor. My day to day role involved lots and lots of arguments (subcontractors and client), general firefighting, teaching the site team how to read a drawing, holding my head in my hands and sighing...you get the idea. It's not actually a bad job. We get paid relatively well and you can be in charge of multi-million pounds jobs at a fairly young age. I still enjoy it after 13 years.
The busiest period in the month was doing subcontractor payments at the same time as having to produce a full CVR (cost value reconcilliation - IE - how much money are we expecting to make / lose (usually lose)).
Most people think you count bricks. That has probably taken up about 5% of my career so far but if you're going in as a starter I'd say they'll expect you to know how to measure from drawings.
There are generally two sides of the industry for a QS. There's the PQS role and the Contractor QS role.
It sounds like you may be going for the contractor QS role in which case the answers above by Beaver are relevant. If it's PQS then you're looking at a whole different job role.
Have a look at some QS job adverts for some ideas of what would be expected of you. It's a good time to be moving into this. You'll need thick skin and a good head for numbers. Don't worry about being expected to know everything as I'll guarantee that everybody in this industry no matter how old is still learning. You could ideally do with gaining some construction knowledge as it'll help in the long run. If you know how things are put together you'll have a better understanding of how much they should cost.
I've changed slightly now but my previous job was with a large contractor. My day to day role involved lots and lots of arguments (subcontractors and client), general firefighting, teaching the site team how to read a drawing, holding my head in my hands and sighing...you get the idea. It's not actually a bad job. We get paid relatively well and you can be in charge of multi-million pounds jobs at a fairly young age. I still enjoy it after 13 years.
The busiest period in the month was doing subcontractor payments at the same time as having to produce a full CVR (cost value reconcilliation - IE - how much money are we expecting to make / lose (usually lose)).
Most people think you count bricks. That has probably taken up about 5% of my career so far but if you're going in as a starter I'd say they'll expect you to know how to measure from drawings.
Yep, pretty much as CRB said.
Reading a drawing is pretty crucial, you'd be surprised how many people don't understand how to scale a drawing correctly.
A good knowledge of Excel will help immensely as well; being able to put together a spreadsheet that details your costings, discounts, quants and links to a programme will save you a lot of heartache.
As CRB correctly mentioned, being able to act as a mediator is part of the role. Good communications skills will help solve a lot of problems; great communications skills will get you invited for a beer after work.
Engineers will want to engineer, even if there isn't the money in the pot to do it. Clients will want a Rolls Royce, but for the same money as a old Volvo. You'll need to be able to satisfy both while balancing the books; not an easy thing to do, especially if you want to remain on good terms with everyone.
It's a good job and becoming more important due to competitive tendering and reduced margins.
Reading a drawing is pretty crucial, you'd be surprised how many people don't understand how to scale a drawing correctly.
A good knowledge of Excel will help immensely as well; being able to put together a spreadsheet that details your costings, discounts, quants and links to a programme will save you a lot of heartache.
As CRB correctly mentioned, being able to act as a mediator is part of the role. Good communications skills will help solve a lot of problems; great communications skills will get you invited for a beer after work.
Engineers will want to engineer, even if there isn't the money in the pot to do it. Clients will want a Rolls Royce, but for the same money as a old Volvo. You'll need to be able to satisfy both while balancing the books; not an easy thing to do, especially if you want to remain on good terms with everyone.
It's a good job and becoming more important due to competitive tendering and reduced margins.
can you tell us who or what the company do? it totally depends on who the role is for, however I would be very surprised if they are interested in you without QS experience.
PQS- means working for a private quantity surveying practise. they work for the client, do take offs, prepare bills of quantities, cost plans, forecasting......
contractor QS- work for the main contractor or subcontractor in the actual hands on build stage of a project. this goes from issuing tenders to sub contractors, awarding contracts, measuring works on-site, payments to contractors, applying for payment from clients, agreeing variations to the contract......
in my experience/opinion, without some form of technical qualification (degree or HNC/D) or experience on the job (I have friends who used to be electricians that got an office job and then progressed in surveying) then you may struggle quite a lot to begin with.
have you experience with any of the standard forms of contract (JCT, NEC .....)? have you ever heard of SMM7? do you know any basic rules of measurement?
PQS- means working for a private quantity surveying practise. they work for the client, do take offs, prepare bills of quantities, cost plans, forecasting......
contractor QS- work for the main contractor or subcontractor in the actual hands on build stage of a project. this goes from issuing tenders to sub contractors, awarding contracts, measuring works on-site, payments to contractors, applying for payment from clients, agreeing variations to the contract......
in my experience/opinion, without some form of technical qualification (degree or HNC/D) or experience on the job (I have friends who used to be electricians that got an office job and then progressed in surveying) then you may struggle quite a lot to begin with.
have you experience with any of the standard forms of contract (JCT, NEC .....)? have you ever heard of SMM7? do you know any basic rules of measurement?
Hi all,
thanks again for your input and advice, is really helping me put together a picture of the role and will undoubtedly help me during the interview.
The company is SSE - I have a strong engineering background, with good GCSE's, ONC In Electrical & Electronic Engineering and I'm currently studying a Foundation Degree in my own time in Business Management with the Open University.
In my current role as a Project Designer I do liaise with the delivery guys, legal teams and with civil works contractors. As mentioned, I compile all the costing's for the final customer, however none of the figures I set or can "manipulate' I merely indicate the works that are required.
In regards to the terminology mentioned (JCT) etc. I've not heard them directly but had a quick Google and understand how they relate to a QS Role - I will read up a lot more about these before the day.
Malks - the person I have been speaking to about the "bible" how much things cost in the construction industry mentioned that all things have a price etc - is there guidelines in place? When looking at Civil Works quotes from the estimators they course have a rate for different works + the mark up they work too. However we have agreed rates between us and our civil team.
Thanks all once again, it really is appreciated.
thanks again for your input and advice, is really helping me put together a picture of the role and will undoubtedly help me during the interview.
The company is SSE - I have a strong engineering background, with good GCSE's, ONC In Electrical & Electronic Engineering and I'm currently studying a Foundation Degree in my own time in Business Management with the Open University.
In my current role as a Project Designer I do liaise with the delivery guys, legal teams and with civil works contractors. As mentioned, I compile all the costing's for the final customer, however none of the figures I set or can "manipulate' I merely indicate the works that are required.
In regards to the terminology mentioned (JCT) etc. I've not heard them directly but had a quick Google and understand how they relate to a QS Role - I will read up a lot more about these before the day.
Malks - the person I have been speaking to about the "bible" how much things cost in the construction industry mentioned that all things have a price etc - is there guidelines in place? When looking at Civil Works quotes from the estimators they course have a rate for different works + the mark up they work too. However we have agreed rates between us and our civil team.
Thanks all once again, it really is appreciated.
To be honest, if you weren't suitable then I doubt you'd be called in for an interview.
I assume it doesn't say you're a qualified QS on your CV? Have you applied through an agency?
If you haven't mentioned being a QS on your CV, then they may have looked past that and decided your experience is relevant. If you've applied through an agency, just make sure they haven't 'buffed' up your application. It has been known...
Good luck mate. Read up on the QS role and then link your experiences to parts of that in your interview. Hope it goes well.
I assume it doesn't say you're a qualified QS on your CV? Have you applied through an agency?
If you haven't mentioned being a QS on your CV, then they may have looked past that and decided your experience is relevant. If you've applied through an agency, just make sure they haven't 'buffed' up your application. It has been known...
Good luck mate. Read up on the QS role and then link your experiences to parts of that in your interview. Hope it goes well.
ok, i understand the role that you are applying for. I actually worked for a sub-contractor of SSE in the utilities sector in a previous life and see how they would be considering someone without a formal QS qualification for the role.
basically SSE put pipes, cables, and ducting into the ground. you will have a list of rates for each item of work. eg: we're putting in 10m of 3 phase electrical cable at 1.5m depth. so you would look up the rates you have agreed already, select the excavation rate, the blinding rate, the cable rate, the fil rate, the re-instatement rate and boom- you have your price for doing the work. you then give this to your contractor and get him to go do the work, he invoices you, you make sure it matches the original estimate and jobs done.
its an ok role, however I found it very boring. ultimately you will only ever measure excavations, laying pipe and fill/ re-instate the ground. that gets very tiresome after time.
Also the role is not really an 'in' to the proper QS world, as for this you would need to go back to further education. a proper QS would learn all about contracts, measurement, the actual construction technology side, take offs..... I done a degree at Glasgow Caledonian Uni, it took 5 years part time (1 or 2 days per week during term time) and the rest was spent working for a building contractor.
basically SSE put pipes, cables, and ducting into the ground. you will have a list of rates for each item of work. eg: we're putting in 10m of 3 phase electrical cable at 1.5m depth. so you would look up the rates you have agreed already, select the excavation rate, the blinding rate, the cable rate, the fil rate, the re-instatement rate and boom- you have your price for doing the work. you then give this to your contractor and get him to go do the work, he invoices you, you make sure it matches the original estimate and jobs done.
its an ok role, however I found it very boring. ultimately you will only ever measure excavations, laying pipe and fill/ re-instate the ground. that gets very tiresome after time.
Also the role is not really an 'in' to the proper QS world, as for this you would need to go back to further education. a proper QS would learn all about contracts, measurement, the actual construction technology side, take offs..... I done a degree at Glasgow Caledonian Uni, it took 5 years part time (1 or 2 days per week during term time) and the rest was spent working for a building contractor.
From my own experience, whilst wishing you the best of luck, I don't fancy your chances.
In the old days one found a surveyor was a surveyor, a measure was a measure, a rate was a rate and a contract was a contract. If you could deal with all of the above it wouldn't take you to long to pick up the specifics relevant to whatever job you took on.
Things are very different now. Although the economy is picking up construction activity is still way below the levels we were enjoying prior to the credit crunch crash. Employers can afford to be picky. I've seen experienced QSs find themselves unsuccessful candidates due to their experience not being sufficiently relevant to the positions they have applied for. Experienced in NEC and applying for a position within a contractor who usually works on JCT? Forget it. Used to working for a main contractor reviewing and paying out on submissions applying for a job as a subbie compiling and submitting applications? Forget it. Construction background applying to a Civil Engineering group? Forget it. Experiened in dealing with local authority and public sector clients applying for a position within an employer who's clients are from the private sector? You guessed it. Forget it.
In an attempt to be positive I'd say study the job description very carefully and make all your previously acquired experience and qualifications as relevant as can be to the position applied for as possible.
If you're lucky you may get somewhere. My guess though is another candidate will come along who has/is still doing exactly the same job for a competitor, knows the industry and knows the contractors right down to what employees work on what job and who's work needs to have an eye kept on. Said candidate will be the successful candidate.
In the old days one found a surveyor was a surveyor, a measure was a measure, a rate was a rate and a contract was a contract. If you could deal with all of the above it wouldn't take you to long to pick up the specifics relevant to whatever job you took on.
Things are very different now. Although the economy is picking up construction activity is still way below the levels we were enjoying prior to the credit crunch crash. Employers can afford to be picky. I've seen experienced QSs find themselves unsuccessful candidates due to their experience not being sufficiently relevant to the positions they have applied for. Experienced in NEC and applying for a position within a contractor who usually works on JCT? Forget it. Used to working for a main contractor reviewing and paying out on submissions applying for a job as a subbie compiling and submitting applications? Forget it. Construction background applying to a Civil Engineering group? Forget it. Experiened in dealing with local authority and public sector clients applying for a position within an employer who's clients are from the private sector? You guessed it. Forget it.
In an attempt to be positive I'd say study the job description very carefully and make all your previously acquired experience and qualifications as relevant as can be to the position applied for as possible.
If you're lucky you may get somewhere. My guess though is another candidate will come along who has/is still doing exactly the same job for a competitor, knows the industry and knows the contractors right down to what employees work on what job and who's work needs to have an eye kept on. Said candidate will be the successful candidate.
Edited by Tannedbaldhead on Saturday 16th August 12:14
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