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New opportunities for the newly qualified.
Date Posted: 12/08/2011
The last 6 months at Foundation Recruitment have been extremely busy. Encouragingly, we have been very active in the Regional General Practice market, taking on client instructions within asset management, valuation, corporate restructuring, property management, agency, land management and investment.
Notably, a large percentage of these roles have been at the newly/recently qualified level. Through numerous meetings and detailed conversations with our clients over the course of the last 6 months, the underlying message appears to be the same: New blood and fresh talent is required to reenergise teams and offices as we come out of the recession.
Everyone has felt their fair share of pain over the last 3 years. None more so than graduates looking to get that crucial foot in the door within a Private Practice or Property Company. In 2010, there was initially an air of cautious optimism as signs of a moderate recovery had started to appear in the regional market. This was demonstrated by a steady increase in graduate intake schemes in comparison to the previous 2 years. Although this has continued into 2011, we are still a considerable way off pre-recession numbers. So what does this mean for the future?
In reality, candidates that have been fortunate enough to secure a place on a graduate rotation scheme within the last couple of years may find themselves becoming a desired commodity in the not to distant future. The lack of newly qualified surveyors will mean genuine talent will be much sought after.
Organic growth and strategic succession planning are 2 hot phrases coming from our clients at the moment. Their preference to invest in talented individuals could open the door to great opportunities for both graduates and newly qualified surveyors alike. Professional surveying teams have reduced considerably in size through the recession, in some instances to 1 or 2 people.
Over the course of the last few weeks, Foundation Recruitment has taken on a number of new instructions from clients looking to add rather than replace. As confidence continues to return to the market, we foresee the number of newly qualified roles steadily increasing within the regions. Whilst such roles in valuation have consistently been coming into the regional market over the last 12 months, we are now seeing a steady increase within property management in both Yorkshire and the North West.
So have employers changed what they look for in a candidate in-line with their new growth strategy? Whilst technical ability is always paramount for any role, our clients are increasingly seeking candidates that are enthusiastic, diligent, client facing and commercially minded. Conveying these attributes in an interview will go a long way to making a positive and lasting impression on your potential new employer.