Jessica Lawrence’s Post

Are you waiting for the perfect job to come along? Stop waiting – and start taking control. Yesterday, I spoke with two Chartered Building Surveyors – one recently Chartered, the other at Associate level. Both were considering a move but waiting for the “right” role to come along. Sound familiar? Here’s the problem: waiting for the right role means leaving your career to chance. Both of these Building Surveyors are in high demand, but the idea of relying on job ads or waiting for opportunities essentially puts someone else’s priorities ahead of your own. There’s a better way to approach this. Start with you. Ask yourself: ✅ What do you need in your next role? ✅ What will move your career forward? ✅ What aligns with your personal goals? When you focus on what you want rather than what appears to be on offer, you take control of your search. So, stop waiting for luck to land the perfect job in your lap. Be intentional. Take charge and find it. If you’d like help creating a tailored approach to your job search, get in touch. I’d be happy to guide you every step of the way. #mrics #rics #charteredbuildingsurveyor #surveyorjobs HD Surveyors Ltd

7 months. That’s how long it took me to find this Surveyor the right job. You might wonder: was there something wrong with him — or perhaps with me? The answer is no. He was one of the most capable Assistant Building Surveyors I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and I was following his instructions. Not only did he bring an exceptional breadth of experience and a winning personality to the table, he also had a plan — and that’s what truly set him apart. From the start, he was clear: He wasn’t in a rush. He didn’t want his CV widely circulated. He wasn’t just looking for any job. He had carefully built his reputation and developed strong foundational experience. He knew that the structure he created early in his career would serve him well as he progressed. The key takeaway? Structure and planning in the early stages of your career are just as —if not more— important than later on. Employers don’t typically just hire for right now. They value candidates who show promise for long-term success and this is demonstrated by having a plan. If you can find a mentor to guide you through the early stages of your career, listen to them. If you don’t have someone yet, ask. Many people, myself included, are more than happy to offer career advice that will add strength to your career now, and far into the future.

MUSIC TO MY EARS. This week a couple of the candidates I have been working with have successfully secured jobs. Jobs I must add that are aligned with their experience, skill set and career goals. These candidates found themselves in a situation where they had to find work and they did everything they could to ensure they put their best foot forward at interviews, kept their head held high when they faced rejections and when the options were much fewer and further between than they have been in the past. They were patient whilst staying true to what was right for them and their families. These qualities are rare which is why these candidates stood out against others in today's competitive job market. How did we assist them? We provided comprehensive interview preparation. Many candidates haven’t interviewed in years and simply may not know what to expect. Others have only experienced interviews in a ‘hot market’ where demand outpaced supply, leading to quicker hiring decisions. The landscape has changed, and so have our strategies. We have an in-depth understanding of our clients' needs, allowing us to prepare candidates thoroughly for their interviews. This week’s success story shows that opportunities are out there if you're determined to pursue them. If you need support in your job search OR if you're a Quantity Surveyor with expertise in pricing, measuring, procuring materials and subcontractors, awarding contracts (NZS3910), and delivering projects from start to finish, let's talk. My clients are seeking well-rounded QS professionals who excel in both planning and execution. #MainContracting #ConstructionManagement The Placement Co. Photo: from one of my runs this week. Lucky. 😍

I've banged this drum before but this week has reminded me.... A significant proportion of candidates in consultancies tell me they have aspirations to move clientside. I tell them that it can be tricky but to do so they will need to leverage off their current role in terms of both function and asset specialism. This week, I have been working two roles that would be perfect for someone around Senior Surveyor level to make that move. However, 95% of profiles just say "Senior Surveyor at X Consultancy", no information on team or specialism. So once I have exhausted my network, I have to trawl through loads of profiles, make approaches and have calls to find the ones that have the right skill set. No, i'm not just moaning because this makes my job harder! If you have any aspiration to progress, move on at some point, why wouldn't you hit the key words that means a recruiter could find you? Why wouldn't you indicate what you do, so that you get less irrelevant approaches? So if you work in retail say it, in affordable housing say it etc. If you are in lease advisory say it, in valuations say it etc. Even better, if you work in a particular area, or significant client or project, put it on there. It might just be the thing that excites a potential employer because it is relevant to what they do!

The industry for recruiting Quantity Surveyors is incredibly challenging at the moment - employers are struggling to find the right people and even when they do, the competition is fierce and there is little guarantee of being able to hire the person you want. But life as a candidate is not easy either! I've had many instances recently of speaking with candidates who have had contact from no fewer than 10-15 agencies about different roles (and some times the same role!!). Imagine trying to decide which role is the best fit for you in that scenario! This brings up the question - is it better to work with one recruiter or a variety? In truth, it really depends on the experience you're after. If you need a role quickly and the job itself is more important than what you're doing day-to-day, then you're probably better off speaking to multiple recruiters. This should present you with a broader range of opportunities that vaguely match your criteria, albeit requiring a considerable amount of your time to manage all of these different conversations If however, you are more selective, you are perhaps more passive in the market, and it's critical that you're next move is the right one in your career, you're probably better off working with one single market-expert who can go on this journey with you to pin point the right role for you. So next time you are thinking about a job switch, consider what you want and what the best approach is to get this 🤔 #hiringsupport #quantitysurveyors #qs #recruitment

Recruiting chartered surveyors at all levels is extremely challenging right now. I've spoken to multiple clients this week who have faced candidates receiving counteroffers, juggling two or three job offers, or even backing out a week before they were due to start. It's tough out there, and I know many recruiters and clients are feeling the pressure. To candidates: please be mindful of how you’re treating recruiters. Ghosting or being unclear with communication can hurt relationships—and you never know when you’ll need those connections again. To my fellow recruiters: stay strong. Yes, it’s tough, but if you continue doing a good job, securing offers, and building relationships, you’ll see the benefits down the line. Keep at it! Things will change. #recruitment #recruitmentchallenges #careeradvice #surveyingjobs #stayresilient

Have you ever had a clear career strategy? In my experience, most people haven’t. Many professionals move from one job to another based on what catches their eye at the time. It’s only when things don’t work out that they realise they could have benefitted from a more strategic approach. Being intentional about your career isn’t just about achieving your goals for today—it’s about unlocking opportunities further down the line. Recently, I spoke with a Chartered Building Surveyor who was relocating to London. His initial plan was to explore the market and see what opportunities came up. My advice was to Flip that process and take control. Instead of waiting for roles to appear, start by defining exactly what your next career step needs to offer—professionally, personally, and financially. Then, take a targeted approach: identify companies that align with that vision, and focus your search strategically. This method not only leads to the right opportunity, but ensures your next move is part of a deliberate, long-term plan. If you’re considering your next step, I’d be happy to chat this through with you and help you take a more intentional approach to your long term strategy. #rics #mrics #charteredbuildingsurveyor #buildingsurveyor #surveyorjobs HD Surveyors Ltd

Whoever you are, wherever you want to go, we’ll help you craft a career pathway that’s right for you. Whether you have a long-term vision for your career, or you’re excited to see where your next step could take you, we can help you get there. https://bit.ly/3BwO1Wm #strongertogether #GrowYourCareer

 🎄 Building Your Career While the Snow Falls? January is Calling! 👷♀️👷♂️ The holidays are upon us – a time for family, festivities, and… reflection. As the year winds down, many of us start thinking about our career goals for the new year. And in the construction industry, January is shaping up to be a powerhouse month for opportunities! Why the Post-Holiday Rush? Here's what we're seeing in the market, and why now is the perfect time to consider your next move in construction, even before Santa makes his rounds: ⛄ The January Jumpstart: Historically, hiring in construction surges in January. Companies finalize budgets, new projects kick off, and the need for skilled talent skyrockets. It's a classic case of supply and demand, with talent in the driver's seat. ⛄ Negotiation Power: With the increased demand, January is an ideal time to negotiate for what you're truly worth. Companies are eager to fill positions and are more likely to offer competitive salaries, better benefits, and signing bonuses to attract the best candidates. ⛄ Fresh Starts & Resolutions: Many people make career changes a New Year's resolution. This creates a natural churn in the market, opening up exciting new roles at all levels, from skilled trades to project management. ⛄ End-of-Year Bonuses & Reviews: Many will have had their end-of-year performance reviews and potential bonuses by now. This clarity makes it easier to assess your current situation and consider if a change is needed to reach your full potential. Don't wait until January to start exploring! The construction industry is booming, and the early bird gets the worm (or in this case, the best job!). At Just Construction Recruitment, we're already seeing an influx of exciting roles for 2025. Whether you're a seasoned project manager, a construction manager looking for that next big project, a quantity surveyor ready for a new challenge, or an ambitious professional ready to climb the construction career ladder, now is a great time to get a head start and align your career goals for the year ahead. Want to discuss the current market, explore potential opportunities, or simply have a chat about your career aspirations? Let's connect! #constructionjobs #constructioncareers #newyearnewcareer #januaryjobs #constructionrecruitment #hiring #careergrowth #USA #construction #constructionindustry #christmas #newyear #jobsearch

Position descriptions, job briefs, and a company’s website can only offer you so much information… but not enough information to make an informed decision. It’s only by applying and meeting that you’ll get answers to the more important questions you may have, such as what the career progression actually entails. For instance, how will the CA be trained to become a PM, or Foreman to become a Site Manager, and what is the timeframe? What is their interpretation of flexibility and WFH options within their organisation? Do they match what you require? Delaying applying to prospective employers can risk you losing out on great opportunities. Naturally, the opportunity must be in the ballpark of what you are interested in, but it doesn’t have to tick absolutely every box at the earlier stages of the process, and you won’t know how many it will tick until you apply and then meet with the people / company. The reality is that you’ll have a much better outcome if you meet with a few companies before deciding on any job because you’ll have more information and points of comparison. And remember, attending a meeting doesn’t obligate you to accept a job offer. However, it can lead to unforeseen opportunities and valuable connections on your career path. For example, individuals you meet may transition to other businesses that interest you due to their projects or other factors, and they will likely remember you from your meeting with them. #ConstructionPeople