Building a better you
Property Elite’s sole aim is to build better property professionals - supporting your career every step of the way, whether you are an AssocRICS or RICS APC candidate or a MRICS or FRICS Chartered Surveyor simply seeking engaging CPD.
We provide a wide range of training and support, so why not find out more on our website about how we might be able to support you? We work with candidates across all RICS APC and AssocRICS pathways, routes to assessment and geographic regions.
Don’t forget to sign up online for your free 15 minute AssocRICS or RICS APC consultation, including a review of your referral report if you have been referred. You can also book your bespoke training or support services directly through our web shop.
Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.
What is today's blog about?
This blog article will focus on how you can get ahead of the competition as a property student or graduate surveyor.
You can also listen to our CPD podcast on Anchor for more free AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support.
Why is this relevant?
Getting ahead of the competition is important, irrespective of where you currently are within your property career. As a student, there are many things you can do to improve your future prospects, both in terms of academic success and work-based experience.
Property Elite is backed by over 40 years' combined property market experience, including leadership, management and graduate employment within a top 30 UK property consultancy.
Our team also includes current RICS APC assessors, a senior lecturer in real estate at UWE Bristol and a dissertation supervisor at UCEM.
You can find more about Jen's path to MRICS status at Surveyors HQ.
So, read on to find out what are our top 10 ways to get ahead of the competition...
So what are our top 10 ways to get ahead of the competition?
Get as much work experience as you can during your time at University. Ideally, it'll be within the property industry, but literally anything within a commercial setting (e.g. in an office or in a shop) will give you something to talk about. This could be managing a small team within a shop, providing administrative support in an office or improving your use of a Customer Relationship Management system or internal database
Network - go to as many industry-related events as you can. Some ideas would be your local RICS Matrics, University real estate/property society events, TED talks in your nearest City, free CPD events for property professionals (often run by lawyers/solicitors)
Meet people you might like to work for, speak to their graduates, find out about potential work experience or career opportunities
Get to know the people on your course - they will be entering industry at the same time as you and will move on and up as your careers progress. They may even end up being some of your future clients
Work hard at University - you'll be told this daily by your lecturers, no doubt - but it is important. Make sure you understand the fundamentals of the property industry and valuation and this will stand you in great stead to become a top Chartered Surveyor.Get your CV sorted - make sure it is current, relevant and professionally presented. Let us know if you'd like us to review yours!
Get your covering letter sorted - have a draft that you can tailor to approach specific employers with
Make sure that your LinkedIn profile matches up to your CV and covering letter. Don't have an embarrassing/unprofessional photo (yes - we have seen lots!) and include as much detail as you can about who you are and what you do (e.g. University modules, work experience)
Keep your social media employer friendly (or, at least, check your privacy settings so nothing is publicly accessible). There's no doubt that a prospective employer will check you out online prior to interview - give yourself the best chance of success from the starting blocks
Don't be disheartened - it takes time and effort (and sometimes a bit of luck too) to secure work experience/placements and your first graduate position. Personally, I wrote over 70 letters to prospective employers, secured 3 interviews and landed one job. Hours of work went into that, but it has set my career up perfectly to date!
Be market aware - employers love to see a candidate who knows what is going on in the wider economy. Read the news, listen to Radio 4, check out the property press, read industry blogs - anything, just make sure you have an opinion on some of the current issues and hot topics.
How can we help?
Head to our blog archive to access even more free CPD and AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support.
Download your free AssocRICS and RICS APC resources, including e-books and revision quizzes.
Find out more about our bespoke AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support, before booking your free 15 minute consultation and signing up for your services online.
Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.
Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you
N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal or financial advice.