No problem, it's basically writing tenders, answering PQQs (pre-qualification questionnaires) for the company. Tenders for our company are completed in PowerPoint, and pretty easy to do as we just take what the construction managers give to us, e.g. tables with costs, health and safety information, all that fun technical stuff, and put it in an easy-to-read format. I also get to do some other marketing stuff like writing articles for the company, social media, and catalogues
We are purely on the pre-construction side of things... but when we win jobs, everybody loves us 
Oooh what do you consult in now? Was there any pay drop?
I work in engineering consultancy, along with environmental consultants - its a change but I really love it !!
What's the job?
I work in HR/Operations within the tech industry so the salaries are higher than most. The new job is the same sort of role but the culture is totally different as this company is not a UK business so they have a "work is just work, we are colleagues not family" culture which makes everything much more straightforward.
I wouldn't trust myself in that role - the number of blinds, curtains etc I've ordered that don't fit because I can't measure anything correctlyI would really recommend the construction industry, it's really well paid compared to what people think. So many women seem to avoid it, but I've had really good experiences. I work as a Quantity Surveyor , and take in over £70k, but I'm in NI where the cost of living is considerably lower. I could make over £100k in England. I work no more than 40 hrs a week, 2 or 3 days in office and 2 or 3 at home, but most of my management level colleagues work from home 4 days. Plus when the weather is good I can pop off to and do site visits.
It does help to have an understanding of measurement and volume, but I was crap at maths at school and still ended up here! It's quite people orientated. I like the mix of technical and contractual challenges but I spend a lot of time working with others and dealing with clients. So it never gets boring.I wouldn't trust myself in that role - the number of blinds, curtains etc I've ordered that don't fit because I can't measure anything correctly
No, thank god. However it was the same happy clappy but never quite right vibe!Did you work on This Morning on ITV with their toxic culture??
Can I ask which role you started in? And do you have a degree?I would really recommend the construction industry, it's really well paid compared to what people think. So many women seem to avoid it, but I've had really good experiences. I work as a Quantity Surveyor , and take in over £70k, but I'm in NI where the cost of living is considerably lower. I could make over £100k in England. I work no more than 40 hrs a week, 2 or 3 days in office and 2 or 3 at home, but most of my management level colleagues work from home 4 days. Plus when the weather is good I can pop off to and do site visits.
Yes I have a construction management degree and started working as an engineer, which is a tougher gig with kids so I switched roles, which is a very common thing to do. There are so many options for professional careers in the industry - planners, estimators, site managers, project managers, bid mangers, bid writers, h&s managers, environmental management etc. Switching roles is very common as there's only a handful of construction related degrees so most people have a either civil eng, QS/commercial mgmt or construction mgmt degree but there are loads of roles to fill.
Look at Marketing within the University sector. You’d be using your skills but in a more rewarding way and it’s a low stress environment.
Apprenticeships are the best way to get into the construction industry imo - earning money and getting a degree at the same time, as well as getting the life experience of working ... no brainer really
I totally agree and say this all of the time, the construction industry (management etc, I don’t know much about the physical side) is very well paid and in desperate need of more women.I would really recommend the construction industry, it's really well paid compared to what people think. So many women seem to avoid it, but I've had really good experiences. I work as a Quantity Surveyor , and take in over £70k, but I'm in NI where the cost of living is considerably lower. I could make over £100k in England. I work no more than 40 hrs a week, 2 or 3 days in office and 2 or 3 at home, but most of my management level colleagues work from home 4 days. Plus when the weather is good I can pop off to and do site visits.
