Resume Writing Tips for Senior Quantity Surveyor

Introduction

In the construction and engineering industries, the role of a senior quantity surveyor goes beyond just cost estimation; it encompasses contract management, risk analysis, project coordination, and team leadership. With the industry’s increasing demands for precision, digital competency, and strategic insight, a strong resume becomes indispensable for standing out. This blog will guide you through top resume-writing tips tailored specifically for senior quantity surveyors, ensuring your profile resonates with recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) alike.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is your first chance to captivate hiring managers. It should be a concise, impactful introduction that highlights your professional identity, core expertise, and career goals. Focus on senior-level skills such as project leadership, cost control, and stakeholder management.

Example: “Experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor with over 10 years managing multi-million dollar commercial construction projects. Proven ability to optimize budget controls, lead cross-functional teams, and mitigate risks to achieve timely and cost-efficient project delivery.”

2. Key Skills

Demonstrating your technical and soft skills upfront boosts the resume’s relevance and ATS ranking. Here are 10 must-have skills for senior quantity surveyors:

• Cost Estimation & Budgeting
• Contract Negotiation & Management
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation
• Project Lifecycle Management
• Cost Control & Value Engineering
• Procurement & Supply Chain Coordination
• Leadership & Team Supervision
• Stakeholder Communication & Reporting
• Change Management
• Software Proficiency (e.g., BIM, CostX)

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

Highlighting achievements rather than just listing responsibilities differentiates you from other candidates. Quantify the impact of your work with specific metrics (cost savings, efficiency improvements, budget sizes) to demonstrate value delivery.

Example: “Reduced project costs by 15% through innovative contract strategies and enhanced vendor negotiations, saving the company $1.2M annually.”

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each job application by scrutinizing the job description for keywords related to technical skills, certifications, and core competencies. Align your language and examples to match these requirements, increasing your chances of passing ATS scans and appealing to recruiters.

5. Tools

• CostX
• Autodesk Revit
• Microsoft Project
• Primavera P6
• BIM (Building Information Modeling)
• SAP
• Excel (Advanced Functions & Macros)
• Bluebeam Revu
• Navisworks
• Asta Powerproject

6. Metrics

• Percentage of cost savings achieved
• Budget size managed ($)
• Reduction in contract disputes (%)
• Time saved in project delivery (%)
• Number of projects supervised simultaneously

7. Education

• Bachelor of Quantity Surveying or Civil Engineering (ABET Accredited)
• Professional certifications (RICS, CIQS, PMP)

8. Format

• Use clear section headings and bullet points for readability
• Stick to a professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and 10-12 point size

9. Concise

Keep your resume focused, ideally limited to two pages. Avoid jargon and irrelevant details. Every section should add value and directly support your candidacy for the senior quantity surveyor role.

10. Bonus

• Include industry awards or recognitions to showcase excellence
• Link to a professional online portfolio or LinkedIn profile to provide further credibility

Examples

• “Led the negotiation and execution of contracts worth $50M, achieving a 10% improvement in margins via strategic supplier engagement.”
• “Streamlined procurement processes that cut cycle time by 25%, accelerating overall project delivery schedules.”

Conclusion

A senior quantity surveyor’s resume should effectively showcase not only your technical expertise but also your leadership, analytical capability, and strategic contributions. Focusing on clear metrics-driven achievements, leveraging relevant tools and certifications, and tailoring your resume to each job opportunity will significantly boost your chances of success. A strong, well-crafted resume is key to portraying your impact on project outcomes and your readiness for senior-level challenges in today’s dynamic construction environment.