Of all the jobs in the UK construction and infrastructure one of the most in demand right now are quantity surveyors. Yet career progression is not just about finding a higher paying job opportunity.
As much as companies are looking to employ quantity surveyors, they also need them to help deliver on projects and targets. This means that any new role you take on, others are likely to lean into your expertise. To advance as a QS, learning and development is not just about gaining technical and industry skills. While these are essential, what really enables you to deliver while working under pressure and potentially earn a premium salary are soft skills. We highlight our top 3:
- Ability to negotiate
Whether it’s in the planning, implementation or reporting phase of a project, the ability to negotiate is critical. Especially when things don’t go according to plan. Strong negotiation skills are often what can get a project back on track and being able to identify what it’ll take to achieve that, is a highly valuable skill.
- Relationship building
The old adage of: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know…” remains true. The ability to build genuine relationships throughout the industry and at every level of the organization is what can set you up for success. Relationships are the foundation for industry collaboration, supplier and client management and cohesive project delivery. Developing strong communication and people skills is essential for career progression.
- Critical thinking
Strong numeracy skills are a given as a QS, but the ability to think beyond the numbers is what matters. Critical thinking incorporates a broader view, taking into consideration what could go wrong and how those factors could be mitigated. This comes into play when reviewing contracts, deciding on materials, suppliers, and partners. It’s also about leveraging software and technology to become more efficient. When timelines are tight, as they often are, the ability to make accurate calculations quickly and report easily on project progress is important.
These skills may seem logical, but in a career that is dominated by numbers and project deliverables, they’re all too easy to overlook. Be deliberate in developing these skills if you want to advance your career. The quantity surveyors who excel in both technical and soft skills are highly sought after, because they deliver more value to the companies that employ them.