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Start Your Career in Planning

As you transition from your academic studies into the professional world, embarking on a career in planning can be both an exciting and challenging experience. Whether you are interested in urban design, urban planning, town planning, environmental planning or Neighbourhood Planning, the following tips and insights are designed to help guide you through the early stages of your career.

What Tips and Tricks do the Bluestone Planning Team Recommend?

Partner

Jeremy Flawn

Tips for CVs, Job Applications and Interviews:

Avoid using AI to write your CV.
Send your CV directly to employers with a covering letter and email.
Have an opinion on topics and be willing to share them if asked.

Tips for when you are Employed:

Throw yourself into everything that is offered to you! It will improve your confidence as you learn what you are capable of.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions – you will never look bad for asking questions, only inquisitive!
Our business is all about people. There is so much to learn from the people you meet.

Favourite Jobs to Work on:

Those with high quality building projects, award winning designs and inspirational clients.

Partner

Sharon de Brú

Tips for CVs, Job Applications and Interviews:

Be truthful about the level of work experience you have.
Demonstrate your enthusiasm and willingness to learn in an interview.
Do not use AI to generate your CV.

Tips for when you are Employed:

Do not ask for help until you have tried to look up the answer yourself first.
If you do not know or understand something, be honest about it.
Collaborate with others! The best way to learn is to look at what your colleagues are doing.

Favourite Jobs to Work on:

Anything with community or environmental benefit. I particularly like jobs that show craft and talent in design.

Planning Manager

Elaine Kimber

Tips for CVs, Job Applications and Interviews:

Proofread your CV meticulously for spelling and grammar mistakes.
Practice verbal deliver by rehearsing answers out loud.
Be proactive by asking your interviewer for any application concerns.

Tips for when you are Employed:

Identify and connect with a mentor early, even if it is just someone in the department willing to help you.
Polish your presentation skills - pay attention to how meetings are conducted and how others present.
Don't be afraid to ask questions - there is always something new to learn!

Favourite Jobs to Work on:

A charity food bank in Green Belt, a care home conversion to affordable housing and a residential fire replacement newbuild.

Senior Planner

Panos Konidaris

Tips for CVs, Job Applications and Interviews:

Maintain eye contact during your interview.
Do not forget to include a brief summary about yourself at the top of your CV.
Do not forget to change your CV according to the role you are applying to.

Tips for when you are Employed:

Do not forget to attach a covering letter.
Most of the time internal works to a building do not require planning permission.
Prioritise tasks based on deadlines and importance. Use tools like to-do lists, project management software or time-blocking to stay organised and manage your time efficiently.

Favourite Jobs to Work on:

Helping a young couple get planning permission for the house of their dreams.

Urban Designer & Planner

Charlotte Cox

Tips for CVs, Job Applications and Interviews:

If you are uncertain about what aspects of planning you enjoy, find a company that is involved in a wide range of projects.
Express yourself and your interests when applying for a job, including aspects you have enjoyed learning about during university.
Highlight transferable skills from relevant education and experiences.

Tips for when you are Employed:

Planning is vast and everchanging - be prepared for continuous learning.
If you feel lost and cannot find the answer, don't be afraid to ask for help. Seeking mentorship early can help progress your skills faster.
Staying informed about planning reforms, case law and other relevant updates will ensure you remain in the loop. Connecting with and following fellow planners on LinkedIn can also help you stay current.

Favourite Jobs to Work on:

Design Codes, Householder extensions, new dwellings and anything heritage related.

Urban Designer & Planner

Alyssa Birum

Tips for CVs, Job Applications and Interviews:

Try and keep your CV to one page. Your experience is likely to be limited so just focus on highlighting your most relevant skills.
Companies will not expect you to know everything about planning, but they will want to see your passion and eagerness to learn.
Identify company projects to discuss in your interview.

Tips for when you are Employed:

Attend Continued Professional Development (CPD) events.
Share resources, interesting articles, any policy updates etc. with your co-workers. They will appreciate it and return the favour.
Celebrate your wins, from small householder to large, complex schemes - a win is something you should be proud of.

Favourite Jobs to Work on:

Big community projects that groups have put lots of time and energy into for the public benefit, such as centres, churches and parks.

Policy Specialist

Erin Scarsbrook

Tips for CVs, Job Applications and Interviews:

Read the person specification and job description and tailor your CV, where possible, to include relevant experience and attributes.
Have at least one question prepared to ask at the end of the interview.
Research the company beforehand and memorise their core values as well as project examples to drop into conversation during your interview.

Tips for when you are Employed:

It is not enough to credit external images - ensure they have a Creative Commons License!
Always try to find the answer to your question on your own first. If needed, you can ask a colleague for help.
AI can be a useful tool to assist with your work if used ethically and in compliance with legal requirements.

Favourite Jobs to Work on:

Anything Neighbourhood Plan related - I particularly enjoy working on community engagement exercises.

We're hiring at all levels - join our team! Get in touch today to explore exciting career opportunities with us.

Start Your Career in Planning

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