Are there any qualified building surveyors out there?

[hardhat]

I am currently in my second year of a Graduate Diploma in Building Surveying. I don't work in the industry at the moment and wondered what the opportunities were for someone with this type of qualification - I feel very underqualified at the moment . Do you know anyone who has taken this route and how easy is it for a woman of 40 (my age when I finish) to get a trainee position?

I'll speak to DH, see what he says. He's a senior manager for a firm of builders in East Anglia. I know they're always recruiting where he works, they have a lot of work on. If you want his "professional opinion" on your CV as it stand atm, let me know and I'll sweet-talk him!

What did you do before?

Where abouts in the country are you?

I am a journalist and I live in London. I don't have any sort of CV that would be relevant to a surveyor as it stands...

No, but you can demonstrate other skills perhaps which would be relevant? Diligence, attention to detail, that sort of thing?

Don't forget, your CV will still have all these on once you've got your diploma.

Also, think about your accompanying letter, explaining WHY you've switched careers...

The other week, my husband had some CVs in applying for an admin position. Some of these he kept back to consider for a trainee surveyor's position. These were the ones who showed a bit of intelligence and presented a good CV. I think only 1 had experience in "the trade"

That is encouraging - any other building surveyors out there who can give me an idea of whether I am wasting my time or not?

Oh and DH says the diploma is a good thing to have. He doesn't think you'll have any difficulty finding a job, particularly in London.

Thanks Mary - I do feel reassured that I am not wasting time completely. Perhaps fact that no one else on entire MN appears to work in industry suggests that there are plenty of opportunities to be had...