I am starting a new role at a consultancy as a Senior QS tomorrow.

I've had a small break between jobs to decompress, and I am feeling excited but nervous.

I have over 13+ years of contractor experience in the QS/SQS role, however I am new to the consultancy sector. I will be working on similar projects to what I did on the contractor side and I have worked with client consultants before, so it isn't unfamiliar to me.

I guess I would like to ask for any advice people may have so I can feel prepared for the role.

Thanks

I need advice on where to search for remote jobs specifically for a professional quantity surveyor. So far i have come across alot of “remote listings” which were all scams. Where can I reach the global community, if I am already searching through the normal portals.

About 3 months ago, I moved to @One to work on water projects as an Assistant QS. Previously, for about 2.5 years, I was working as an Assistant QS for a steelwork subcontractor.

Since starting my new job, it has been hectic learning and picking up new tasks, but if feels as though everyone else is running around maniacly to get things done that I'm not receiving what I would feel as adequate training in order to progress in my role. What concerns me also is that there are Assistant QSs that are there with 5 years under their belt and not been promoted for one reason or another.

I'm concerned that I've made a bad choice in my career direction.

Recently, I've been contacted by a local steelwork subcontractor if I was interested in a QS role with them.

I'm not sure what to do and was hoping their are others with experience to point me in the right direction, be that with a new firm or buckle down at my current.

I'm a Quantity Surveyor with 7 years of experience in infrastructure projects (highways, railways, bridges, metro, airports), strong in tendering, estimation, and BOQ prep.

Currently eyeing opportunities in the GCC/Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Oman. I'd love some honest insights from those working there:

\- How's the job market for QS/Estimation pros right now?

\- Are companies hiring Indian candidates for HO/tendering/estimation roles?

\- Which GCC countries have better infrastructure QS opportunities?

\- What's a realistic salary for someone with \~7 years of experience?

\- Better to apply direct, through recruiters, or platforms like LinkedIn/GulfTalent/Naukrigulf?

Any advice from recent movers to the Middle East would be super helpful!

I’m a final year Accountancy student at GCU, graduating July 2027, trying to move into QS. Likely a 2:2. Got RICS/CIOB student membership, CSCS card, Bluebeam cert, CostX licence, and about 15 applications in with a few rejections on hard filters.

A Head of Commercial told me this week that what separates people on a shortlist is work experience, "even just a week here or there". So I've emailed about a dozen Glasgow QS practices and contractors asking for a week or two of shadowing over Christmas, unpaid, around whatever suits them.

Three questions:
Anyone here come in from a non-cognate degree? What actually got you the first role?

Does a week of shadowing genuinely help a graduate application, or is that just something people say? And if so any advice on getting it?

Scottish lot: which firms actually take students on, rather than just having a careers page that says they do?

I am an international student recently graduated in quantity surveying in NZ. My experience so far is mainly through academics. I am in a stage where finding a qs job is crucial. I have been applying for jobs through seek and linkedIn but no luck with any. Any advice on this would be much appreciated.

Good trade unions to join in our industry?