What advice can you give to a final-year estate management degree student about to embark on the search for a job?
As we approach the time of year when final year students begin to face the realities of life after college and university it is worth considering the process of finding a job and just how you can improve your chances of success. At the present time, although the balance between demand and supply for surveyors is generally weighted in favour of the job-seeker, it is still a very competitive market and the best positions will undoubtedly be filled by those most able to compete successfully.
The process can be split into three distinct stages: identifying job opportunities; applying for them; and the interview. Give careful attention to each of these and it should be possible to obtain the results you deserve.
Identifying job opportunities
For the surveying professions most job advertisements will appear in the main property journals. In addition, the bigger professional firms and organisations now market themselves actively by visiting appropriate educational institutions in their search for suitable talent. But there is no need necessarily to wait for the job to come to you. It can be quite productive to send a letter to those firms who appeal to you, sending a copy of your CV. Many people receive job offers in this way even, on occasions, from firms who were not actively seeking applicants. It is a process which cannot do any harm, it shows initiative and if a firm is interested in you it may well provide you with a head start on the competition.
So what exactly is the CV? Curriculum vitae literally means “the course of life”! It is not, however, a detailed biography. It should essentially be a review of your achievements to date. Even if you do not intend to send copies out speculatively it is a useful exercise which will help you in reviewing your position and in filling out application forms. It should be designed to ensure, so far as possible, that the recipient will actually read it.
It is worth bearing in mind that people in organisations responsible for making appointments are usually in senior positions and therefore tend to be rather busy. It should therefore be brief and well presented. A word processor is useful here, because the CV is a document that you will want to update from time to time as your career progresses. It is also a good idea to tailor each CV to the organisation or position for which you are applying.
A professional approach is essential and most people offering typing services also offer to write CVs.
The CV is the key to a successful job application; it should be concise and relevant, not a detailed life history. Tell the employer what he needs to know. Two sides of A4 should be sufficient in most cases. You need to stand out against the crowd.
Any CV must contain essential biographical data, details of education, relevant experience and any additional information. Do not include information about failed examinations; the CV should always express a positive approach. It is your first opportunity to sell yourself and can demonstrate your ability to make your case.
The following simple example illustrates what might be included for a final-year degree student:
This is perhaps the simplest form of CV and obviously would be extended with further experience. It does, however, convey the basic and essential information that any employer would need. If you do intend to circulate your CV to firms speculatively, it should be accompanied by a covering letter which should be in your own handwriting. This should identify precisely what you want and indicate what you are doing. Again, it should be brief and to the point and should not repeat information contained in the CV.
Job applications
While speculative applications can be worthwhile, most job-seekers will start by applying for specific posts which they see advertised. It may be necessary to apply for a number of positions before even being offered an interview but here, as well, a systematic approach will improve your chances.
Do not be put off by failing to meet all the specified criteria required for a particular post. It is unlikely that any of the other respondents will be able to offer the perfect match to the employer’s ideal requirements. Equally, do not waste your own time by applying for positions for which you are obviously not qualified. Note any instructions on how to apply, keep a copy of the advert and the date and where it appeared. Most firms now require applicants to fill in application forms; this provides them with a standardised format which makes selection easier. Unless instructed otherwise this should be professionally typed. Your form is likely to be photocopied and circulated so if you are instructed to complete it in your own handwriting, write neatly and legibly in black ink. If your form is difficult to read you will probably get no further. It is as well to bear in mind that this is the point in the process of greatest competition and therefore greatest risk of failure.
When you receive the application form make at least two photocopies of the blank form. Read the form carefully and draft out your answers on one of the copies. When you are satisfied, draft out your finished answers on the other copy. This should then be passed to your typist who will type out the final version on the original form. Always keep a photocopy of the final version of the completed form for reference before and during any subsequent interview. In the time that elapses between completing the form and being interviewed you may forget what you wrote, which could be embarrassing.
In completing the form, much of which will require factual information, do not draw attention to weak points. Leave sections blank rather than give a negative impression; always try to answer in a positive way.
Most application forms will ask what particular skills you have which are appropriate to the position in question and many will provide space for additional information in support of your application. These are not simply factual but do represent your best opportunity to sell yourself by emphasising your strengths. They are the most difficult sections to write and are often very badly completed by applicants. But this is where your suitability is likely to be judged. Avoid out-of-date or irrelevant information. Try to match your answers to the position which is being offered. Try to think in terms of the qualities for which the employer will be looking.
Never make untruthful or misleading statements. These will almost certainly be found out at interview, causing much embarrassment. Even worse, you may be offered the job and find yourself in severe difficulties at a later stage.
Application forms normally ask for up to three referees, and at least one of these should know something about the job. All should know you. Make sure they are aware of what is relevant and why you want the job. Always seek their permission before using their names. If you are likely to be applying for several jobs over a period of time, explain this to them so that it is not necessary to contact them on each occasion.
Do not be unduly disappointed by rejection at this stage. The application form is a notoriously inefficient means of selection. Remember that in some cases firms may only have time to interview as few as 10% of all applicants. However, if you do get many rejections you may need to ask yourself if there is anything wrong with the way in which you are completing the forms or something wrong with the jobs for which you are applying.
The interview
With luck you will be shortlisted and receive the offer of an interview. This is probably the most nerve-racking part of the whole process, but remember, by now the odds are considerably shorter. Employers will rarely interview more than between 5 and 10 applicants. You now know that you stand a very good chance. The essential thing is to prepare yourself thoroughly so that you can take command of the situation.
Many interviews are still conducted on a one-to-one basis. The interviewer is probably busy, anxious to make an appointment as soon as possible and has probably received little or no professional training in interview skills. This can be to your advantage, but it may be necessary, in extreme cases, to assist the interviewer in his task.
Before the interview, prepare answers to standard questions:
- Why do you want this job?
- What can you bring to the organisation?
- What will you be doing in five years’ time?
Sort out details of interests and hobbies, especially those to which you have already referred on your CV and application form. Take care to avoid the impression that these interests might be so all-consuming that they would interfere with your work but, equally, avoid the impression that you are little more than a cabbage!
Try to find out as much as possible about the employer and the nature of the work carried out. Evidence of such research will give a good indication of your genuine interest. The interview is a two-way process. Certainly, the interviewer will be attempting to judge your suitability for the job, but it also represents your best opportunity to judge the suitability of both employer and job to your needs. You will not be in a position to make this judgment if you know little or nothing about them.
Use the opportunity of an interview to sell yourself. Present a neat and tidy appearance; dress appropriately. Your initial aim should be to create a confident, conservative impression but one that is not dull. On the day of the interview arrive five minutes early. Give yourself an opportunity to acclimatise to your surroundings, to relax and settle your nerves. When called into the interview room, offer a friendly “hello”, smile and wait for an indication of where to sit. Be friendly and relaxed but not over-jovial. Establish eye contact with your interviewer, especially at the beginning but do not stare. Learn to make yourself aware of body language clues which may enable you to obtain information about how your responses are being received.
The interview will probably follow a fairly simple pattern, with the interviewer making some opening comments about the nature of the post, followed by questions to establish factual information and further questions to try to establish your suitability. Avoid responding to these questions with simple “yes” or “no” answers. These give the interviewer no opportunity to judge your potential. Avoid taking risks and stunts during the interview; they are unlikely to impress and can so easily backfire. Remember that reliability, adaptability, loyalty and attitude to authority are the sort of characteristics most employers will be looking for. In many cases your technical knowledge will be taken for granted and not examined at all. If it is, at this level, questions are likely to be seeking a general response which will indicate your ability to deal with a given situation.
Remain calm and polite. You are unlikely to be provoked intentionally or put under pressure. If you are, you should ask yourself whether this is the sort of person for whom you would be happy working. You may be asked inappropriate questions about social status, ethnic background, marital intentions. In such cases try not to react with hostility. If you do object to a particular question explain why, politely; you will probably gain respect if your objection is justified.
Finally, you are almost certain to be given the opportunity to ask questions. So far as possible these will have been prepared in advance but may have occurred to you during the course of the interview. Use this opportunity to find out more and to sell yourself further. Do not ask too many and try not to appear to be over fussy.
These days, of course, one-to-one interviews are not the only format. You should be prepared for all eventualities. Panel interviews are commonplace, particularly with public bodies and large organisations. They can be intimidating but they do actually provide a better opportunity for positive interaction. It is unlikely that you will be faced by a totally hostile panel. Broadly speaking, the same applies to panel interviews as to those with a single person.
You may be faced with sequence interviews, a series of interviews with different people in the firm. Again, the same rules apply as with all interviews, but you should try to establish the specific purpose of each stage in the sequence.
Other possibilities include group discussions: try to make some contribution but avoid being over dominant and try to interact positively with the other applicants. You may be asked to sit standard intelligence tests — in this case pay attention to any instructions given — or personality tests, where you should attempt to give honest and straightforward responses.
If no indication has already been given, ask about reimbursement of expenses. Most firms will be prepared to cover the actual cost of travelling to the interview. Finally, on the question of salary, it is better not to raise the issue yourself but follow the lead of the interviewer. This is a matter which can, if necessary, be taken up once an offer is made, when you will be in a stronger negotiating position.
It was suggested at the outset that there were three stages to the process of job seeking. In fact, there are four, and the final stage is probably the most important. You have applied and been interviewed and are finally offered the job. You now have to decide whether or not to accept. Before doing so try to look at the place where you will work and try to meet potential colleagues. Do not look for the perfect match. You may have to compromise in certain respects, just as the employer will. Ultimately try to decide if you would be happy in the job.
