Surveyors – Is your “specialism” stalling your career and reducing your long-term earnings?

As I write this, I am working with Surveyors of all types. Some have broad experience, others a more specialist focus, such as insurance reinstatement, high-rise buildings, or the rail sector.

Sometimes your specialism will have benefits, especially in the short term, but as with every choice there are consequences too – something you may discover when you come to take your next career step.

The truth is, a lot of employers see specialism as a restriction. Here are just a few reasons why:

❌ Training requirements – Your specialism in one area means you’ll need training before getting involved in other areas of work. So, if a company delivers a broad range of work, they’ll need to spend time and money getting you up to speed

❌ Adaptability – Depending on your length of time in one sector, your focus can raise questions about your ability to change. 5-10 years in a specific niche may leave employers thinking that you’re stuck in your ways

❌ Flexibility – In turbulent times a company’s focus changes and employers need staff who can deliver a range of work

However, if you ARE specialised then I want you to know that none of these issues are insurmountable.

How do you get past them?

Easy.

Change!

Whether that means asking to be exposed to a wider range of work within your own company, or making a sideways move to a company with a broader workload, you’ll soon increase your appeal to a wider range of employers.

The bottom line is, the moment you recognise that you’re being pigeonholed is the time to change.

I have helped numerous people to make this change, and with a proper strategy you can take control of your career and benefit from: –

✔ Higher long-term earnings

✔ Improved progression opportunities

✔ Increased job options when you need or want to move

If you’re a highly specialised surveyor and you want to broaden your experience, just send me a DM and we can discuss your situation. I don’t need your CV.

As the construction industry, particularly Surveying, settles into its new version of normal, it is clear that most companies out there are busy, with some now beginning to grow. The biggest barrier to this growth is finding staff and we have a pretty good picture of why.

If you’re considering a new job in 2020, why not help others whilst also taking your next career step?

If you instruct HD Surveyors in December 2019 we will help you take your next career step and donate 10% of our fee to a charity of your choice.

OK, so there is more than one reason why leaving the comfort of your warm home to traipse in to the office could fill you with dread, but there is possibly one thing that could change it all.