QS job interview tips/advice needed
Discussion
I have interviews coming up this week and next week for Graduate PQS roles, I need help in understanding the role of quantity surveyors and potential questions they may ask me in the interview. I would really appreciate the help of any professionals who know the field well and could help me?
I have a little one on the way soon and my current financial situation isn't great so I'm very determined to secure this role.
Thank you in advance.
I have a little one on the way soon and my current financial situation isn't great so I'm very determined to secure this role.
Thank you in advance.
Edited by King Kai on Tuesday 30th June 20:36
iphonedyou said:
Show a degree of enthusiasm, present well, interview coherently and you'll do well.
This is brilliant advice!!malks222 said:
I agree with the points above, most interviews I've had for QS positions have been about what experience I have, Projects I've worked on, contracts I've used, what responsibilities I've had, but without experience they wont be asking you about that.
but I think you should be prepared to show what experience/ knowledge you do have and how would this be transferable (dunno what your degree is in), but for example:
- contracts- do you have any law/ legal/ contractual experience from your degree? how would you feel reading a contract/ terms and conditions?
- technical side- do you have any experience reading technical drawings from even school? tech drawing, graphic communication?
- measurement- do you think you'd be able to measure things from drawings and create areas/ volumes? how are your simple maths- adding, subtraction, multiplication?
I think seeing its a graduate position in an industry you dont have any experience, just big up any work experience you may have, any placements you may have done at uni, but also show that your keen to keep studying and work towards a formal QS qualification and even chatership (RICS- if you dont know about the RICS look it up)
Hi lads, fully appreciate you guys taking the time to reply. At this point I'm soaking up every piece of information on PQS roles as I can find.but I think you should be prepared to show what experience/ knowledge you do have and how would this be transferable (dunno what your degree is in), but for example:
- contracts- do you have any law/ legal/ contractual experience from your degree? how would you feel reading a contract/ terms and conditions?
- technical side- do you have any experience reading technical drawings from even school? tech drawing, graphic communication?
- measurement- do you think you'd be able to measure things from drawings and create areas/ volumes? how are your simple maths- adding, subtraction, multiplication?
I think seeing its a graduate position in an industry you dont have any experience, just big up any work experience you may have, any placements you may have done at uni, but also show that your keen to keep studying and work towards a formal QS qualification and even chatership (RICS- if you dont know about the RICS look it up)
About me:
I have just completed an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and also have experience in lettings negotiations. My greatest skills are communication, literacy, intuition, building/maintaining rapports and the ability to gain extensively knowledge in subjects upon research. Luckily I took the advantage of being a student to secure a RICS membership.
In regards to technical skills, for my final year dissertation I had to design a multi-storey structure on BIM, provide a structural calculations report and design and research internal fire protection. Whilst adhering to EC & BS with code comparison. BIM, Business Studies, Construction Technology and Design and Analysis of structures/elements are a few of the modules that I found to be closely linked to the role of a PQS.
The Measurement aspect shouldn't be a problem as due to the nature of my dissertation I became familiar with an engineer's scale.
The maths is something I feel reasonably comfortable with, I took the time to research QSing maths and was able to pick up upon the concept of dimension paper and how measurements should be structures.
My work experience and independent research on the tendering process and contracts stages has equipped me with a general understanding the procedures (BoQ/NEC3). Along with the client liason requirements of the role.
I also have a keen interest in economics and am able to articulate at length: inflation, interest rates, EU debt crisis, booming clients demands and how this is effecting the the UK construction industry.
Edited by King Kai on Friday 3rd July 21:23
iphonedyou said:
Hi, so a little more detail. This may or may not be hugely relevant, but bear in mind my experience is central London, working for a PQS that generally handles commercial and some infrastructure up to £100m, mainly for asset management / fund clients.
Key aspects of role:
- Preparation of cost estimates and cost plans
- Compilation of tender and contract documentation
- Tender process management - particularly for two stage processes and especially where clients are unfamiliar with same
- Contract administration / Employer's admin role post contract - essentially, making sure the works are executed in accordance with contract, handling variations, reporting costs etc.
- General client and contractor liaison from inception to completion
An awful lot of time is spent doing little bits and pieces that just suck up resource - you're very much a generalist and will be expected to have a fair understanding of the legal side of the game (eventually!), so knowing your way around the contract, amendments, warranties, bonds and guarantees, insurances, any PCSA or letter of intent in force, etc. A wider knowledge of general industry trends and forecasts, particularly around market conditions, is useful.
In terms of potential questions I'll need a better steer on your background so far. Typical questions will involve similar recent projects, what forms of contract you're particularly familiar with, any specialisms - NEC3 infrastructure is a different proposition from JCT term service contracts, for example - but I don't think that's your background?
Fundamentally, QS isn't rocket science and for me, and the firm I work at, at graduate level we look for somebody we think can soak up everything they're exposed to in the course of their role. So if you don't have particularly relevant experience at this stage, and you're in the door for an interview, the firm you're applying to may well be similar. Show a degree of enthusiasm, present well, interview coherently and you'll do well.
The information above is pretty much what I've spent the last 2 weeks of my free time researching.Key aspects of role:
- Preparation of cost estimates and cost plans
- Compilation of tender and contract documentation
- Tender process management - particularly for two stage processes and especially where clients are unfamiliar with same
- Contract administration / Employer's admin role post contract - essentially, making sure the works are executed in accordance with contract, handling variations, reporting costs etc.
- General client and contractor liaison from inception to completion
An awful lot of time is spent doing little bits and pieces that just suck up resource - you're very much a generalist and will be expected to have a fair understanding of the legal side of the game (eventually!), so knowing your way around the contract, amendments, warranties, bonds and guarantees, insurances, any PCSA or letter of intent in force, etc. A wider knowledge of general industry trends and forecasts, particularly around market conditions, is useful.
In terms of potential questions I'll need a better steer on your background so far. Typical questions will involve similar recent projects, what forms of contract you're particularly familiar with, any specialisms - NEC3 infrastructure is a different proposition from JCT term service contracts, for example - but I don't think that's your background?
Fundamentally, QS isn't rocket science and for me, and the firm I work at, at graduate level we look for somebody we think can soak up everything they're exposed to in the course of their role. So if you don't have particularly relevant experience at this stage, and you're in the door for an interview, the firm you're applying to may well be similar. Show a degree of enthusiasm, present well, interview coherently and you'll do well.
Edited by iphonedyou on Wednesday 1st July 22:48
The interviews I have had have been with contractors who were impressed by the effort and enthusiasm I showed for the QSing in the wider context. I've since been offered a position and I am waiting to hear back from interviews this week that I thought went well (Also contracting). At the moment I'm contemplating on whether to take the advice of Malks222 and take the opportunity to QS even if it is with a contractor. However I've only been actively seeking the position for a fortnight and do feel it is premature to make career decisions without experiencing the wider aspect of potential prospects.
Especially because I really have my heart set on the PQS role, it does feel like a step back.nI was confident in the interviews as I knew I had taken time to prepare, albeit that my preparation was for a PQS position. So I do feel I will be able to perform to a higher standard in a PQS interview.
Is there any career advice you have or leads for me to chase?
Also I found http://www.designingbuildings.co.uk to be the most helpful site during my research. Are there any more useful links which will equip me to further my knowledge?
surveyor said:
What status? If this is student membership it shows an interest, but in real purpose other than that counts for nothing....
Yeah it's just a student membership.I'd like to thank everyone for their replies, I made it to the next stage of the interview process.
Although it's for a CQS role I'd definitely consider it. Fingers crossed, I definitely need a new challenge in life.
Hey guys! well here is an update
The interview went well and I was offered the job.
Not entirely sure what to expect from the CQS role, I'm really expecting it to be hard HARD work lol.
If anybody knows of any CQS's on PH that could give men the inside track before I start, please point me in the right direction.
Thank you all for the replies, I truly appreciate it.
The interview went well and I was offered the job.
Not entirely sure what to expect from the CQS role, I'm really expecting it to be hard HARD work lol.
If anybody knows of any CQS's on PH that could give men the inside track before I start, please point me in the right direction.
Thank you all for the replies, I truly appreciate it.
Tyrant said:
Good luck to you, from a fellow QS (in Contracting!)
Thanks!!CRB14 said:
Whilst being fair. Unfortunately all too many contractor QSs believe it's their job to rip subbies off. I've always worked with the 'firm but fair' mindset. Building a relationship with subbies generally always works out better than playing the big 'I am'.
I can imagine this is one of those vital pieces of information that can be taken for granted, I'll be sure to take in on-board.p1stonhead said:
Going forward as a principle though OP, treat every pound like it's coming out of your own personal bank account and you are having work done on your own house. Gives you perspective as to what is reasonable and what isn't.
That's a very interesting concept, experience speaks volumes. I'll definitely be taking this thought process with me into the work place, thank you.I appreciate all the replies, I was lucky to find the CQS online hang out lol.
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