You’ve just spent weeks, or maybe even months sending applications, chasing recruiters and praying that something comes through. Then suddenly, the email lands in your inbox. You’ve been invited to an interview for a Quantity Surveying position.
In a previous article we covered the five questions you are most likely to be asked. This one is different. This is about everything you do before you walk through the door.
Because most Quantity Surveying interviews are not lost on ability. They are lost on preparation.
1. Know Which Side of the Fence the Role Sits On
A contractor’s QS and a client-side QS are judged on completely different things. One is producing CVRs, procuring subcontractors and protecting margin. The other is certifying payment, issuing cost reports and protecting the client’s budget.
Read the job advert properly and prepare your examples. Turning up with purely contractor-side answers to a consultancy role is an obvious own goal.
2. Research the Project, Not Just the Company
Anyone can skim an About Us page. Very few candidates know what the business is actually building right now.
Find out which frameworks they have recently won and what form of contract they typically work under. Being able to ask “is this role sitting within that framework?” puts you ahead of nine out of ten people in the queue.
3. Be Ready for a Technical Exercise
If the role you’re applying for is working under NEC4, scratch up on the NEC terms, processes and contractual timelines. For extra points, research the pros and cons of each NEC option. For example, what risk does the client carry under Option E, which they don’t carry under Option A? Find out the answers to these questions, and be prepared to answer them.
4. Bring Your Numbers
You’ve likely spoken about projects you’ve worked on in your CV. It might have been a big part of what secured you the interview. Remember the key details: contract value, form of contract, your actual responsibilities. If you cannot say whether you worked under NEC4 Option A or Option C, that is a red flag. If you mentioned it, you should know about it.
Talk in values, final account settlements and savings identified. Vague answers sound like someone who watched the job being done.
5. Present Yourself Well
This one might seem very obvious to some people. But it’s surprising how many people still fail on this simple step. If your meeting is on Teams, make sure you’re on a computer (not a mobile phone), ensure you have a clean background, that you’re dressed smart, that your internet connection is good, and don’t be late.
In conclusion, preparation beats experience in an interview room. The best-prepared candidate very often gets the job over the most experienced one.
Find out how we can help you at metroun.co.uk
