Another Construction (QS) Rate My CV Thread
Discussion
Hi PH!
Wondering if there are any QS's, construction professionals or anyone in any sort of position of authority - I'm not fussy - that are willing to give my CV the once over. I'm about to graduate in Quantity Surveying (finish exams next month, ceremony in July) and am looking for my first graduate job.
I did a research placement last summer and am really having trouble conveying what I did in succinct bullet points. In fact when I applied for the position the job description was 3 pages of A4 so I think my employer had the same issue.
This is what I have about my placement so far my CV, I'm not sure what I should save for my covering letter and what I should keep bullet pointed.
I've excluded all my education other jobs etc.
Wondering if there are any QS's, construction professionals or anyone in any sort of position of authority - I'm not fussy - that are willing to give my CV the once over. I'm about to graduate in Quantity Surveying (finish exams next month, ceremony in July) and am looking for my first graduate job.
I did a research placement last summer and am really having trouble conveying what I did in succinct bullet points. In fact when I applied for the position the job description was 3 pages of A4 so I think my employer had the same issue.
This is what I have about my placement so far my CV, I'm not sure what I should save for my covering letter and what I should keep bullet pointed.
I've excluded all my education other jobs etc.
My CV said:
Relevant Employment History
X University Research Department: July 2011 – September 2011 – EPSRC Vacation Bursary Student
Duties Included
- Self-Directed work on a research project, the results of which are detailed below.
- Liaising and meeting with a variety of industries where I presented my current research findings (e.g. from construction, Costain and Fulcro, and from the technology field, Inition and VTT Finland)
- Partaking in and contributing to formal discussions of current academic research literature.
- Advising the department on hardware purchases and meeting with suppliers to further investigate potential purchases.
Achievements
- Developing a 2–step process of transferring information from BIM (Building Information Modelling) software such as Bentley Microstation and AutoCAD Architecture Revit to a custom-made Augmented Reality program.
- Creating 3D Models in VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language) to be displayed over the top of real visual information in a HUD (Heads Up Display).
- Reducing the amount of time taken by the department to convert their CAD files to VRML by 50%.
- Creating a working Augmented Reality HUD detailing the floor by floor costs of a residential dwelling overlaying an interactive VRML Model
This is what I'd put on a previous covering letter about my placement, however, this was applying to a field within technology/marketing and thus isn't really suitable to my QS applications, however it may help with suggestions for bullet points.X University Research Department: July 2011 – September 2011 – EPSRC Vacation Bursary Student
Duties Included
- Self-Directed work on a research project, the results of which are detailed below.
- Liaising and meeting with a variety of industries where I presented my current research findings (e.g. from construction, Costain and Fulcro, and from the technology field, Inition and VTT Finland)
- Partaking in and contributing to formal discussions of current academic research literature.
- Advising the department on hardware purchases and meeting with suppliers to further investigate potential purchases.
Achievements
- Developing a 2–step process of transferring information from BIM (Building Information Modelling) software such as Bentley Microstation and AutoCAD Architecture Revit to a custom-made Augmented Reality program.
- Creating 3D Models in VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language) to be displayed over the top of real visual information in a HUD (Heads Up Display).
- Reducing the amount of time taken by the department to convert their CAD files to VRML by 50%.
- Creating a working Augmented Reality HUD detailing the floor by floor costs of a residential dwelling overlaying an interactive VRML Model
Covering Letter said:
I was lucky enough to win funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This was to investigate the application of augmented reality (AR) in construction for one of X University’s research departments. During this time, I got the chance to work with some amazing technology. The research entailed looking at very serious applications of AR, although I did get the opportunity to visit a high tech marketing company, Initon, who have implemented the technology in some fun and very engaging ways.
My role at X Department involved making use of and maintaining the department’s industrial relationships through phoning, e-mailing and meeting with industry contacts about the possible applications of my work. I prepared several presentations and demonstrations, both for companies and other researchers. As with any bleeding edge technology, I did have to deal with some criticism - especially in an industry as technophobic as construction - however, I enjoyed the interrogation as it kept me on my toes and continuously tested my knowledge of the technology and the products it relies on.
Thanks in advance!My role at X Department involved making use of and maintaining the department’s industrial relationships through phoning, e-mailing and meeting with industry contacts about the possible applications of my work. I prepared several presentations and demonstrations, both for companies and other researchers. As with any bleeding edge technology, I did have to deal with some criticism - especially in an industry as technophobic as construction - however, I enjoyed the interrogation as it kept me on my toes and continuously tested my knowledge of the technology and the products it relies on.
I know what you mean. I applied to several companies when I was doing my degree part time and with no prior experience QSing it was difficult to put in something relevant.
What I have found that I have now graduated and chartered is that most graduates are like that. I learnt more in my first week on the job than I did in 5 years at Uni and I think the interviewer will understand this if he/she has any ounce of real world "common sense"
Try to show yourself as interested in the job, your CAD skills will be useful as things move more towards BIM etc. Also try to show what modules you have done and try to emphasise on the "new era" modules. Billing is a bit of a dieing art imo, so try to focus on things such as carbon accounting etc. if you have experience of it
When it comes down to it, they know graduates are going to be needing to be taught to unlearn the Uni way and start afresh learning the real world ways. Show enthusiasm and a desire to learn, thats what got me through!
What I have found that I have now graduated and chartered is that most graduates are like that. I learnt more in my first week on the job than I did in 5 years at Uni and I think the interviewer will understand this if he/she has any ounce of real world "common sense"
Try to show yourself as interested in the job, your CAD skills will be useful as things move more towards BIM etc. Also try to show what modules you have done and try to emphasise on the "new era" modules. Billing is a bit of a dieing art imo, so try to focus on things such as carbon accounting etc. if you have experience of it
When it comes down to it, they know graduates are going to be needing to be taught to unlearn the Uni way and start afresh learning the real world ways. Show enthusiasm and a desire to learn, thats what got me through!
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