Quantity Surveyor CV Example & Writing Guide

A quantity surveyor is instrumental in construction projects. By understanding and managing risks and costs, they are instrumental in ensuring the success of the project. Being a quantity surveyor requires analytical thinking, attention to detail, a mind for numbers, and a familiarity with construction and building. 

Working as a surveyor means using your keen eye for detail to understand the ins and outs of a project, then conveying that information to the relevant parties to minimise risk and save money. Use those skills to write your CV: analyse your experience and accomplishments and translate them into bullet points (even better if you can share measurable metrics). 

CV guide for a quantity surveyor CV

Resume.io can set you on the right track with your quantity surveyor CV. Our guides and CV examples cover 65+ professions, and coupled with our CV builder, they make crafting your CV easier than ever. 

This CV guide and corresponding quantity surveyor CV example will cover the following:

• How to write a quantity surveyor CV
• Choosing the right CV format for quantity surveyor jobs
• Adding your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your quantity surveyor experience
• Listing education
• Picking the right CV design/layout
• What the quantity surveyor market and average salary look like

How to write a quantity surveyor CV

The first step in writing a compelling quantity surveyor CV is understanding that your CV should contain the following elements:

• CV header
• CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• Employment history section
• CV skills section
• Education section

A job application requires diligence and attention to detail; in a sense, you’re surveying the job posting to understand the lay of the land and how your experience fits.

This means you must be clear on what the company needs, then create a persuasive narrative. That becomes your unique selling proposition. Try this formula:

• Highlight achievements, not duties. Anyone can list assigned tasks, but a CV that details your accomplishments proves your value.
• Tailor each CV to the specific job and company; alter the achievements you highlight or adjust the style to match that of the organisation.
• Use a template that is polished but not stuffy.
• Optimise your CV with keywords so it’s obvious to hiring managers — and any screening software — how you fit in.

Choosing the right CV format for quantity surveyor

The best format for most quantity surveyor CVs is reverse chronological. This format focuses primarily on employment history, which you’ll list in reverse chronological order.

Individuals who are making a career change or early in their career may be interested in alternative formats like the functional CV, which focuses more on skills than employment history.  

When surveying the templates in our CV builder, choose the format that best suits your situation. There are plenty of CV examples.

Include your contact information

Your goal is to get an interview, so it’s imperative that a recruiter or hiring manager can easily get in touch. Make sure this information is easily accessible and presented clearly. Include:

Make use of a summary

The CV summary is where you’ll share how you fit into the potential role. In 2-3 sentences, introduce yourself as the ideal person to ensure success of the company’s projects. Remember to showcase your talents and the value you bring, not just tasks you checked off a list. 

Use action verbs and include quantifiable achievements or metrics where possible. 

Avoid simply repeating highlights that are elsewhere on your CV. Instead, use the space to sell yourself and demonstrate your value proposition. 

You can find adaptable quantity surveyor CV summary examples below:

Outline your quantity surveyor work experience

Per the reverse chronological format, list your current or most recent job at the top and work backwards. Stop after 10-15 years, and only include information that is related to the role you’re going for. If you have a lot of less-relevant experience, add an “Other Experience” section.

Under each company and title heading, add your accomplishments in concise bullet points, omitting pronouns like “I.” Use dynamic verbs and be as specific as you can. Demonstrate tangible outcomes instead of a list of tasks. Your CV should read like a statement of your value, not be confused with a job posting. 

For example, don’t just state simple tasks like:

• “Led quantity surveying”
• “Reported costs”
• “Negotiated contracts”

Those statements describe basically any surveyor; they aren’t specific to you. Instead, use results-based statements. Quantifiable metrics always make your value clearer. 

Take a look at these updated bullets: 

• “Oversaw quantity surveying for construction projects with a 98% accuracy rate in measurements and met deadlines with 100% on-time completion rate.”
• "Achieved 10% reduction in project costs by employing cost management strategies.”
• “Negotiated contracts with XYZ stakeholders, saving £100,000 annually.”

Take a look at the quantity surveyor employment history CV sample below:

Include the relevant key skills that make you a great quantity surveyor

Insert both hard and soft skills. Hard skills include specific software, systems, or tools, while soft skills relate to how you work with others. 

The CV builder includes several pre-populated skills to choose from. You can also add your own skills. 

Here’s what the skills box looks like in our quantity surveyor CV template. 

This section isn’t the only place to show your skills. Distribute them throughout your CV. Even better, show them by providing specific examples and metrics. 

For example, you could highlight: 

• Analytical skills by describing assessments you’ve done or contracts you’ve managed
• Maths skills by detailing your work with measurements and budgets
• Software knowledge by stating tools you’ve used to accomplish various aspects of your work

Detail your education & relevant quantity surveyor certifications

Your education section is straightforward: list your academic achievements in reverse chronological order. If you’ve achieved a university degree, there’s no need to include educational achievements prior to that. 

This is also a great spot for certifications or training you’ve completed, including courses, workshops, or internships. Include memberships in relevant associations, too. 

Pick the right CV layout and design for a quantity surveyor CV

Your CV should grab the hiring manager’s attention and focus on your talents. You want a layout that’s clean, reader-friendly, and professional; no need for graphics or colours. 

For extra help, let us handle the formatting for you with our CV templates.

Quantity surveyor text-only CV example

Quantity surveyor job market and outlook

Quantity surveyors are in demand. The number of qualified individuals has declined over the years, while roles continue to open up. 

What type of salary you can expect in quantity surveyor work

Quantity surveyors typically earn an annual salary, and more senior roles may include bonuses as well. It’s not uncommon for these roles to offer car allowances, pensions, and other benefits. 

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), salaries for chartered quantity surveyors start around £25,000 to £35,000 and may go up to £80,000 for senior surveyors. 

Key takeaways for building a quantity surveyor CV

1. Quantity surveyor work can be a great career choice for you if you’re analytical, interested in construction, and have a strong attention to detail.
2. Those skills will serve you well when drafting your quantity surveyor CV, especially when it comes to tailoring your CV to specific employers.
3. Make sure your targeted CV includes relevant keywords and skills.
4. Use the online CV builder to make the application process faster, simpler, and more fun.