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Surveyors are professionals who evaluate properties of construction and environmental sites for development and construction. They can work with government or private organisations, but they require a licence before a client can rely on their technical skills. If you have an interest in becoming a surveyor, knowing more about this role can help you make an informed decision. In this article, we answer “what does a surveyor do”, explore the types of surveyors, discover their salaries and understand the skills and steps required to become a successful surveyor.
After clearing your senior secondary school, appear for the entrance examination conducted by the Technical Education Boards of various states to gain admission to diploma colleges. After completing the three-year diploma course, you can consider an entry-level job or gain admission in the second year of engineering. Those who do not want to pursue a diploma course can complete their 10+2 in the science stream with physics, chemistry and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
After your 10+2, appear for various engineering entrance exams and choose a relevant stream based on the rank in the entrance exam. Completing an engineering degree in civil engineering or related areas can make you a marketable candidate for a job role.
Before you are eligible for writing an examination for getting a licence, you require some prior work experience in an entry-level role. The years of experience you require can depend on the state you want to work as a licenced surveyor. Usually, most employers prefer candidates with two or more years of experience.
Many states require a surveyor to have a licence to conduct surveying jobs and testify in legal proceedings. For obtaining a surveying licence, pass the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The examination requires candidates to have some prior experience working as an assistant surveyor.
Create your resume listing your relevant skills and qualification. Create a professional resume and mention all your details concisely. Based on your experience and skills, use either a functional or chronological resume format. Before creating your resume, read the job description and pick out keywords from it. Use these keywords in your resume to make it applicant tracking system (ATS) compliant.
After earning a licence and creating a resume, apply for various positions in a desirable job. Submit your resume and customise your cover letters for positions that interest you. Upload your resume to various job portal sites.
Land surveyors: They are professionals who plot, measure and record the legal boundaries of land and develop precise maps of the construction site.
Archaeological surveyors: These are professionals who report their land surveying findings on an archaeological site. They help in understanding the relation between landscape and archaeological sites.
Property surveyors: They are surveyors responsible for inspecting and evaluating the condition of a building, house or office complex. A property surveyor helps their client understand the major repair and alterations required in a building.
Mining surveyors: They explore the features of underground mines that can help a mining company determine the volume of mining material present.
Aerial surveyors: An aerial surveyor collects images and information using aerial methods like aeroplanes and helicopters.
Hydrographic surveyors: Using specialised equipment, a hydrographic surveyor decides the geography of the water body. They measure the depth, shoreline obstacles and tide measurements of the water body's floor.
The national average salary of a surveyor is ?14,684 per month. Their exact salary depends upon their experience, qualification, employers and job location. In some locations, the salary is higher than in others. For instance, the average salary of a surveyor in New Delhi is ?47,752 per month and their average salary in Mumbai is ?28,103 per month. Surveyors working for government organisations receive a higher salary than those working in private companies.
Often, surveyors share their surveying results and reports with clients or show them as proof during testimony in court. Employers prefer candidates with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Using their writing skills, they create reports and write descriptions of land leases and deeds.
Conducting a survey is a physically demanding job because they may walk long distances to measure and survey land or property areas. As they may carry their equipment for long distances, employers prefer candidates with excellent physical stamina. Being physically fit can help a surveyor navigate through undeveloped and rugged terrain.
Taking precise measurements of properties is essential for this role. Employers typically prefer candidates who give keen attention to details because a small error can result in the erroneous evaluation of the property. They require this skill set to present accurate and precise measurements and findings during a court testimonial.
While a surveyor completes their duties alone, some tasks may require them to collaborate with others. They require excellent collaboration skills to work with cartographers, landscape architects and civil engineers. The ability to work with a diverse team can help in creating accurate maps and detailed survey reports.
A surveyor manages many portfolios of real estate properties. Completing, prioritising, and organising their work based on urgency and deadlines is a desirable skill. Strong organisational skills help them complete their work without missing deadlines. Using this skill set, a surveyor maintains and organises the record of every property, land or building they survey.
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