Quantity Surveyor Resume Guide

Introduction

Creating an ATS-friendly resume for a Quantity Surveyor transitioning into HR & Talent Acquisition in 2025 involves tailoring your technical and soft skills to highlight transferable qualities. An optimized format ensures your experience gets noticed by Applicant Tracking Systems, increasing your chances of landing interviews in a competitive job market.

Who Is This For?

This guide is aimed at Quantity Surveyors with around five years of experience who are shifting into HR or Talent Acquisition roles, regardless of region. Whether you’re a construction professional exploring HR careers or returning to the workforce after a career break, this advice helps craft resumes that resonate with HR recruiters and ATS algorithms alike. If you have relevant certifications or training in HR, include those prominently to reinforce your fit.

Resume Format for Quantity Surveyor (2025)

Use a clear and straightforward layout. Start with a concise Summary emphasizing HR or Talent Acquisition interest alongside your core survey expertise. Follow with sections for Skills, Experience, Certifications, and Education.

Prioritize a one-page resume if your experience is mostly relevant, but extend to two pages if you have substantial HR-related training or projects. If you possess an online portfolio or LinkedIn profile, include links near the top. Use simple, ATS-compatible fonts like Arial or Calibri, and avoid complex layouts like tables or text boxes that ATS might misread.

Role-Specific Skills & Keywords

• Employee engagement and communication
• Talent acquisition strategies and sourcing
• Recruitment software (e.g., ATS systems, LinkedIn Recruiter)
• Candidate screening and interview coordination
• HR information systems (HRIS)
• Negotiation and contract management
• Data analysis and reporting (Excel, Power BI)
• Construction or project management knowledge (if relevant)
• Soft skills: communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving
• Certifications: SHRM-CP, PHR, or relevant HR courses
• Legal compliance (labor laws, equal opportunity)
• Client and stakeholder management
• Process improvement and workflow optimization
• Soft skills: active listening, negotiation, interpersonal skills

Ensure these keywords are naturally incorporated throughout your resume, especially in skills and experience sections, matching the wording used in HR/job descriptions.

Experience Bullets That Stand Out

• Managed project budgets and contracts, reducing costs by ~10% while maintaining quality standards.
• Led cross-functional teams in construction projects, fostering collaboration and communication.
• Developed and implemented a new vendor evaluation process, improving procurement efficiency by ~15%.
• Coordinated with HR teams to onboard new employees, streamlining the process and reducing onboarding time.
• Conducted cost analysis and forecasting for large projects, supporting decision-making for project bids.
• Applied data analysis to track project progress, identifying delays early and saving ~8% in projected costs.
• Volunteered for HR-related initiatives, such as training sessions and team-building activities, demonstrating adaptability.
• Utilized project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) to enhance workflow and reporting accuracy.
• Negotiated supplier agreements, ensuring compliance and cost-effectiveness.
• Participated in tendering processes, honing negotiation skills applicable in talent acquisition negotiations.

Related Resume Guides

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• Rural Practice Surveyor Resume Guide
• Planning And Development Surveyor Resume Guide

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

• Vague summaries: Replace generic phrases with specific achievements and metrics relevant to HR or project management.
• Dense paragraphs: Break content into bullet points for easier ATS parsing and readability.
• Overloading with skills: Focus on relevant HR and soft skills, removing unrelated technical jargon.
• Using decorative formatting: Stick to simple text; avoid headers, footers, or graphics that ATS may not process.
• Missing keywords: Incorporate role-specific keywords from job descriptions organically throughout your resume.

ATS Tips You Shouldn't Skip

• Save your resume as a .docx or PDF, following the employer’s preferred format.
• Use clear section headings like "Skills," "Experience," and "Certifications" with consistent formatting.
• Include synonyms where possible; e.g., "recruitment," "talent acquisition," "staffing"—to maximize keyword matching.
• Maintain consistent tense—past tense for previous roles, present tense for current roles.
• Avoid embedded tables, headers, or footers; keep the layout simple and ATS-friendly.
• Use descriptive file names (e.g., John_Doe_QuantitySurveyor_HR2025.docx) to ensure easy identification by ATS.

Following this guide will help ensure your resume aligns with ATS requirements while showcasing your unique skills transition from Quantity Surveyor to HR & Talent Acquisition in 2025.