Find out what it is really like to work for us...
Q: What were you doing before you joined Watts and how long have you been with the firm?
A: I joined Watts at the beginning of December 2004 as a building surveyor in the Leeds office. It was a good time to join and get to know and socialise with my new colleagues. Prior to joining Watts I was a building surveyor at a small private building surveying firm with offices in Leeds and Doncaster, where I was mainly involved with small to medium scale project work for local authority clients.
Q: Why did you decide to join Watts?
A: I wasn’t happy with my previous employer and I suppose I was thirsty for a new challenge. I was ‘caught’ by the opportunities that were laid out before me at my interview. I was particularly interested in the due diligence aspect of building surveying and the possibility of developing my career with the support of the lead director.
Q: What kind of projects are you currently involved in? What has been your most interesting job to-date?
A: To date, my workload has been mainly on the Commercial Building Surveys (CBS) team, undertaking due diligence inspection reports, working on various Landlord and Tenant matters including dilapidations and service charge issues, neighbourly matters, defect diagnosis, condition surveys and planned maintenance as well as some project management.
I can’t single out one particular project as there are so many. I would have to say that having the opportunity to survey so many different types of buildings across the country in such varying degrees of condition is a real eye opener! As many of the properties I have visited are reached through breathtaking countryside, that makes my job even more interesting.
Q: How has your career progressed since joining Watts? Where do you see it going?
A: When I joined Watts as a chartered surveyor my confidence was slightly bruised. It took me a while to appreciate my position within the office, in that there were graduates who were looking to me for my knowledge and expertise. With guidance from the lead director of the office, I have been able to develop as a building surveyor and personally. I am now more competent and have more confidence, as well as improving my business awareness. With the experience I have gained since joining Watts, I have been able to progress to a level 2 surveyor (senior surveyor) with additional responsibilities, opportunities and workload.
My aim over the forthcoming year is to establish a compliance risk management business group within the Leeds office. To achieve this I am about to start a NEBOSH course to give me recognised formal qualifications which will help me to specialise and underpin my existing knowledge as a building surveyor.
Q: How would you describe Watts as a company?
A: Watts has a strong reputation in the industry for its extensive technical knowledge. There is a good internal support network from both colleagues in the office and from other regional centres. The company is well structured and has a firm direction and presence across the United Kingdom and Europe. The standard of service is high which helps us to retain many national and local clients.
There are many opportunities for career progression within each office and a good solid foundation for learning through the Watts Academy.
Q: How would you describe the social side of your team?
A: We are still a relatively small, close-knit and young team – most of us are in our twenties and thirties. We try to arrange a quarterly night out, with the odd lunchtime beer as well as attending the many networking events organised around Leeds.
Q: Do you have any advice for people wanting to join Watts?
A: The workload is diverse and varied, but there are plenty of opportunities to specialise and further your career. There are also opportunities to work on the continent.
The level of expertise is high and the quality and standard of service have helped Watts to retain and attract many high profile national and local clients. The support network from the regional offices and London is second to none.
If you are prepared to work hard you will reap the benefits through career progression and bonuses.