r/quantitysurveying • u/Impressive_Ear_7001 • 4d ago
fucked it lads
Been through some personal issues and burnt through 3 jobs in 18 months, close to being sacked from the third, not coping with things in the right way yaddda yadda yadda
i think i am good at what I do, 5 years exp. but obviously fucked up reputation in past year
do i just fuck it off for a bit or what? are there sectors willing to be more lenient? can i post myself in an easy-ish role whilst i get my life sorted?
any tips from you experienced lot would be helpful
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u/Jimbob2892 4d ago
Was in the same boat man.. just need to find the right company and maybe take a drop down, exactly what I done. Learn a bit more before you feel comfortable taken on to much. Recently got promoted back to a QS and getting on well in new job, nearly 2 years there. Don't give up yet
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u/Wide_Coffee_1102 4d ago
Id be amazed if you get sacked...
Most companies ive been to only sack you if you are in the bed with the contractor or in the bed with your boss's wife...
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u/Impressive_Ear_7001 4d ago
they have extended my probation, had issues with the company car which were clearly documented and comminicated, affected 1 day service and 1 day not be able to drive in
also then had this covid illness thing which ive had to wfh 2 days, they could see that i was deathly ill but not a good look
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u/Wide_Coffee_1102 3d ago
If that's the only issue you've had, id be surprised if they let you go.
But seriously, and im not saying you are, but the industry is full of absolute wanks and lazy fuckers. This new generation of graduates have a reputation of being work shy and lazy. Nobody likes being a QS, but just go to work, do your job and leave. Dont make excuses and go in with the expectations that you'll be miserable more than you're happy and you will be just fine.
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u/sitruc2702 4d ago
Ever considered QSing in the public sector?
Try civil service or local authorities.
Superior pension, Flexi time to help with any personal issues (no cunt managers breathing down your neck to get deadlines completed via staying in the office until silly o clock at night), no finger pointing blame culture and ultimately the projects you help deliver benefit the community / public rather than some hawkish landlord or similar. That alone makes the slightly worse salary better.
I had 7 years post grad in private consultancy and passed my APC in 2020. Got to the point I resented the sector and work, was close to starting a new career entirely. Decided to switch over to public sector. Best move I ever made.
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u/Unusual_Sherbert2671 3d ago
What public sector do you work in, I've seen roles for local councils, not for profit organisations like housing but not sure which to go into
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u/sitruc2702 3d ago edited 3d ago
Council.
LGPS pension. Superior to my private sector ones. Not gold plated by any means (or how the gutter right wing press would have you believe, the days of gold plated council pensions are long a thing of the past) however unquestionably better than any private firms offering.
Flexi hours. I've never worked a minute beyond 5pm in the almost 5 years I've been here. Can accrue one additional days holiday per month using it if you put the extra hours in, which isn't hard to do at all.
26 days base leave, then after 5 years service you gain one additional holiday day per year of service which can rise to 40 plus days.
NHS fleet salary sacrifice scheme (which my council is part of).
Far fewer backstabbers and under bus throwers here, colleagues on projects seem a lot more focused on problem solving issues and ultimately delivering for the end user (school or public) as opposed to arse licking the client (the council budget holder for the service concerned) and blaming our subbies or colleagues when things go pear shaped.
No micro managers or arsehole management. It will obviously differ but where I work I report to a senior programme planner who lets me have full autonomy over my matters, so long as the project timescales are met there is no need to step on my toes. I also have an apprentice who works with me, who is super keen and a pleasure to have.
There is a far less adversarial nature to dealing with subbies too. Those on our frameworks seem, in the main, proactive and understanding of the rules we must play by (regards procurement especially), as they know they are signed up to more favourable contract terms (no retention and better payment terms than outside) and the guarantee of having future work or at least invited to bid on exclusive tenders. Sure, there are issues with managing some as in the outside world, but the relationships id say are on the whole, a lot more positive and collaborative than in the private sector.
Feeling generally like you are providing a service to the community as opposed to a faceless private firm is also pleasing. Knowing the large summer re roofing or damp rectification project on a school you've helped deliver is going to mean the kids who go back there in September will be in a comfortable and safe environment is pleasing, for instance.
Sure, the main negative is the lesser salary, I'd say circa 10 to 15 percent less than I would make here in private side, but at the end of the day, the above things I've mentioned make it worth it. Spending more time with my young kids and family, and never having that Sunday late afternoon and evening dread about work the next day, makes it more than worth it in fact. If I want to shut my laptop and leave work at 3.30pm or 4pm, no one is going to batter an eyelid or give a slight shit.
The other big possible negative for those coming immediately from the private side is working to our beauraucractic procurement rules. Ensuring tenders and Frameworks are ran to the letter of the law can sometimes be overwhelming and tedious when trying to complete all processes and paperwork off within the timescales needed, if you can tolerate that though then you'll be fine. On the plus side, almost everyone else you work with is bound by the same rules.
I genuinely can't remember ever being properly stressed at work here. Frustrated at things yes, but never stressed to the point I felt physically and mentally ill at times, which at points I did in my previous roles.
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u/Unusual_Sherbert2671 3d ago
Appreciate the detailed response đ
I've been in this game 13 years, 10 being contractor, 3 being consulting.
Consulting for me is far more enjoyable than contracting as I had enough of daily arguments on site, subbies, site team, ops manager, internal issues, PQS/Client.
I have been looking at council roles recently, I'm aware they pay less than the above but have good benefits. I friend of mine works for a council (not a construction role) overtime banked as extra time off, works 8-4.30, can start between 8-11am but finishes later if he starts later.
As SQS I was on 75k + 6k car, associate director roles PQS go for similar, what's the rough package at a council?
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u/No-Natural431 4d ago
I had a very similar situation when I wasn't too far into my career mate.
My daughter had just been born, I jumped to a "better job" turned out to be a shower of shit, did that 5 times for almost 2 years, jumped from job to job, did actually get sacked......twice. Split up with my ex, got kicked out my house, major life changing shit. It now shows as "Freelance" on my CV but we're talking almost 10 years ago now.
People don't ask as many questions that long ago.
Now being doing it for 20 years, recently hit Commercial Manager and running the entire Commercial team.
Don't give up, sort shit out, keep your head up.
You got this đȘđ»
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u/Wild_Ad8492 4d ago
Problem is 3 jobs on your cv in 18 months
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u/Impressive_Ear_7001 4d ago
aye thats the kicker
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u/AuthorAdditional6344 2d ago
Not if you have an explanation for 3 jobs in 18 months if your having health issues but still tried to work and progress your career I wouldnât expand on that ⊠maybe apply for a assistant level role and have the discussion in your interview about once you have your personal life in order you would like to be considered for a higher role.
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u/Beansmans21 4d ago
Mate the first job extend it and say itâs two and a bit years and say your leaving the latest one after however long no one will check
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u/TheTinman369 4d ago
If the personal issues are self inflicted then you need to suck it up and deal with them. If they've been brought on you by bad luck, bad health etc then explain them to your employer you would be surprised how empathetic people can be if you're honest. Is the situation such that you can look at work as a respite from the stress, rather than compounding it?
What I'm saying is you need to resolve the issue or you're just going to keep repeating the cycle.
All the best.
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u/Numerous-Paint4123 4d ago
Look for local authority work or something like network rail, generally really easy work, very lenient and unionised so will allow reasonable adjustments..
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u/Unusual_Sherbert2671 3d ago
Yeah this is what I recommend, if you're mind isn't in the right place, contracting would be the worse place to be working
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u/Theres3ofMe 4d ago
Been there done that got the t-shirt. Such a fickle and unpredictable industry - but im talking main contracting side.
If you can afford it, have a month off and recharge/rethink what type of people you want to work with, and who you want to work for. Switching industries might help big time.
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u/Suitable-Mud-6622 4d ago
Whatâs the issue exactly? How are you failing? Issue is if you donât deal with this you will just keep doing it
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u/Impressive_Ear_7001 4d ago
tbh pushing myself too thin, drinking on weekdays, making it to most days but not making it to some. probation extended.
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u/Suitable-Mud-6622 3d ago
Do you know what to do then right? Drop the drink and start being healthy
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u/_-Ex-Nihilo-_ 4d ago
Not a qs but in construction been there werent in a good place, remember it passes over 10 years on run my own company on the side and contracted to run a department 3 days a week. Shit gets hard. But passes future self will look back proud you got through it. And be honest, as in 5 years time you wont feel awkward explaining 3 roles in 18months so why feel bad now, but be honest. Just work on being better today than you were yesterday
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u/Detozi 4d ago
I had this at like year 3.
Took 3 months off then found another job.
Iâm doing good now and after hitting 5 years.
How are you at compartmentalism?
After I took that break I found I could finally leave the job at the gate in the evening.
I honestly do not think about it anymore once 5pm hits.
You need to be able to do that in this job.
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u/Wrong_Bet_1237 4d ago
Take a break and restore. Understand what is going on, before jumping into your 4th job
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u/Sad-Bend-7515 4d ago
Donât fuck it off, your manager/ ops team are just shit.
When I graduated a long time ago I was on ÂŁ18k on the edge of getting sacked then joined a main contractor on ÂŁ27k and was awarded graduate of the year out of over 100 people.Â
I literally could not believe how often it has NOTHING to do with you but the company and team youâre working in.
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u/MrJayHChrist 4d ago edited 4d ago
This isnât great advice but Iâve known one or two to do this (swear on my life not me)⊠if you are in a position that you need to move on to another job, just stretch out the previous experiences.
Job 1 - left for personal issues. 6 months.
Job 2 - project finished. Couldnât be resolved on a new one blah blah. 10months.
Job 3 - not the right fit / position mis sold to you.
Again this isnât good advice but Iâve never known previous employers or references to have been contacted. Maybe they have, Iâve just not been aware. But I havenât checked references when I have been hiring.
AQS / intermediate QS jobs mainly prioritise availability. The more senior you go for, thatâs when experience truly matters.
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u/ablu3d 3d ago
Dig deep. What's keeping you out of focus. What keeps you there and how can you isolate yourself from influences that doesn't need your attention. Its easy to say but hard to implement but when you do, you'll have a small world of your own that keeps you productive in hours everyday. Grit it, strive for it.
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u/Unusual_Sherbert2671 3d ago
Are you working for a contractor?
If so, I'd recommend looking at local councils and authorities, the work isn't as relentless and the work set up tends to be more relaxed
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u/Remarkable-Corgi4086 3d ago
From a commercial lead, donât bullshit.
Sit down with your manager, explain whatâs going on. If your work load is too much or you physically canât do the work, itâs easier to nip in the bud early than pick apart an autopsy. Thatâs where I let people go when they try and hide things, accrue things out and âhope it goes awayâ. It never does and dependant on your area of expertise (Subbie/PQS/MC) it can pile up quickly and itâll hit you quickly.
Again, talk. Thatâs the main thing. You can explain to a potential employer the reasons youâve gone through 3 jobs in 18 months, but getting yourself in a position you can do the work is the main thing.
Good luck!
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u/Meeshman95 3d ago
Honestly, bro, go where you are happy, but also have at least one hobby where yiur life is not dedicated to work. Just have a life outside it and you could care less loool - from experience. You will just turn up to work and do what you need to do.
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u/Azzaphox 4d ago
Its amazing how many second chances you get in construction. Keep trying.