Categories: Hiring 

In today's competitive market, acting quickly is essential to securing the best Quantity Surveying talent.

The High Demand, High Turnover World of QSs

Many clients we speak with are surprised by the rapid pace QS placements require. Whilst we always push for speed in the process, It's not just about us, wanting to get things over the line. Top QSs are in high demand, often telling us they receive multiple calls a day from other specialists (between 2-4 calls a day as a matter of fact!)

This means every day you wait to make a decision is a day potentially four other companies are actively courting the same candidate. They're fielding opportunities constantly and we have often found ourselves needing to negotiate multi-offer scenarios.

The Cost of Slow Decision-Making

A slow hiring process can seriously hurt your team:

• Losing Top Talent: The longer you take to decide or act on your decision, the higher the chances your perfect QS accepts another offer. Potentially with a direct competitor! This can leave you settling for a less qualified QS which could affect project outcomes.

• Delays in Project Start: A vacant QS position can hold up project timelines. The faster you fill the role, the sooner your project can progress.

• Increased Costs: Delays in finding a QS can translate to higher overall project costs and the dreaded ‘panic hire’ which let’s face it, wastes more time and resources than needed when it inevitably falls through. Consider the time and effort spent on additional recruitment efforts compared to a streamlined process.

Streamlining Your Hiring Process

Here are some questions we think are good to consider to expedite your decision-making:

• Is there a reason why you can't pass on interview feedback or email an offer on the same day as the interview? Delays in communication can signal a slow-moving company culture, potentially deterring top candidates.

• Can you establish a clear interview process with defined timelines for feedback and decision-making? Communicate these expectations with both the candidate and the talent specialists, if you are using one, from the outset.

• Are your decision-makers readily available to participate in the interview process? Delays in scheduling interviews due to internal unavailability can also impact your chances of securing the best candidate.

• Are your HR procedures hindering your hiring capability This has been a major sticking point for many of our clients in the past. Take a critical look at your internal processes. Are there unnecessary steps or lengthy approval times slowing down the hiring process? Collaborate with your HR team to identify areas for improvement and streamline the onboarding process for top talent.



By being proactive and prioritising a swift hiring process, you can significantly increase your chances of attracting and securing the top QS talent for your project. Don't let a slow pace cost you the best fit for your team.