graduate recruitment 2015

committed to graduatesapplication pack

one partner’s journey Clare Phillipson from work experience to department head

I thoroughly enjoy working in this sector. It is an exhilarating and dynamic area and I am involved in so many different projects. It is a constant learning curve whilst bringing new solutions to the firm.

I became the first female partner at Fisher German in 1998 and was appointed department head in 2011. I am enjoying a fantastic career and couldn’t recommend it more highly.

I particularly enjoy my role and responsibilities as the Graduate Partner, seeing our graduates join us on day one and watching their careers progress. As a firm, we want to recruit for the long term and aim to develop our future partners and leaders of the business from amongst our own. My career has been a testament to this.

Fisher German is a great place to be and an exciting and challenging place to work.

If you are ambitious and motivated, I hope you will apply to join us and become part of our future success.

Work experience in the summer of 1984 with Andrew Jackson was the catalyst for my decision to become a chartered surveyor.

I really enjoyed working with Andrew, so after the prerequisite 12 months’ work experience within the rural sector, I studied to become a chartered surveyor.

I joined Fisher German in 1988 and was very lucky to train for my professional exams under Andrew in 1990.

As a rural chartered surveyor, I continued to work with Andrew as my mentor and focused on estate management. Pipeline management started to expand at the firm and I began to undertake more liaison work.

I began working on my first repairs project in 1989. This area of management started to expand as our knowledge grew – it was a very exciting time. We won a bid in 1994 to work on the Government Pipelines and Storage System Southern Network and in 1995 were successful in winning the Northern Network.

I have worked on some cutting edge projects, which include new oil pipelines for various companies, major projects for the National Grid and leading innovator linesearchbeforeUdig.co.uk

1984 - 1988 1988 1990 1998

Promoted to PartnerJoined full time

Work experience

Qualified as Surveyor

“I’m enjoying a fantastic career

and couldn’t recommend it

more highly.

”

meet your graduate team

Guy Hemus

2008 2010 2012 2014

Promoted to Local Partner

Qualified asSurveyor

Joined asGraduate

Promoted to Associate

Graduate Team Role: Graduate Development Programme, Mock APC and Graduate Recruitment

Ruth OfieldGraduate Team Role: Graduate Development Programme

Promoted to Local Partner

2010 2012 2014

Qualified asSurveyor

Joined asGraduate

Promoted to Associate

2015

Matthew Hodgetts

Seb KingsleyGraduate Team Role: Mock APC and APC Training

2003 2005 2010 2012

Promoted to Local Partner

Qualified asSurveyor

Joined asGraduate

Promoted to Associate

Promoted to Partner

2015

2002 2006 2009 2011Joined asGraduate

Qualified asSurveyor

Promoted to Associate

Promoted to Partner

Promoted to Local Partner

2015

Graduate Team Role: Graduate Development Programme

Since joining, I have been offered a good mixture of work which has enabled me to pass my APC and broaden my experience, thus allowing me to specialise in an area of work I enjoy where I can develop my skills. I work with a fantastic team, and have been empowered to take on a high level of responsibility from an early stage in my career. In addition, I was given the opportunit to move within the firm from Market Harborough to Ashby de la Zouch.

The team look after all elements of our APC programme. Each member joined as a Graduate themselves, and we asked them why they remained at Fisher German.

Fisher German has a great culture. There’s no doubt we work hard, but there is plenty of opportunity for play time too with regular office drinks, Christmas parties and firm-wide events. On a professional level, I have been promoted to Local Partner within three years of qualifying as a rural chartered surveyor and have been supported to develop my skills throughout my time here. I have been given the opportunity to lead a growing team dedicated to a specific area of work, which involves lots of interesting projects across the country.

After joining Fisher German in 2002, I have been able to develop my skills – both technical and non-technical – and specialise in an area of work I enjoy. Fisher German also helped to facilitate a move from Ashby to the Worcester office, which was nearer home. My hard work has been rewarded through being invited to join the Partnership in April 2015. I have met some wonderful people at Fisher German, and enjoy working with a variety of clients from football clubs to individual landowners. I can truly say I am proud of the work I have done for Fisher German and look forward to the rest of my career with the firm.

Throughout my time with Fisher German, I have been able to undertake additional training to support my APC and my future development. I have been encouraged to specialise in areas of work that interest me, including valuation, compulsory purchase and managing corporate property holdings. For me, the firm rewards hard work, innovation and entrepreneurialism. Such a combination, along with the chance for fun such as captaining the Fisher German cricket team, is rare in the professional world.

your opportunity

• Have the opportunity to network with fellow Graduates and develop your knowledge

• Temporarily transfer you to another department to widen your competency experience if necessary

• Meet with your counsellor and doctor every six months who will advise you and guide you through the start of your professional career

• Be continually assessed along with your supervisor, your counsellor and your doctor to ensure we are able to provide you with the best possible foundation stone to your career

When you are ready to sit your APC, you will attend a mock interview with a panel of internal assessors in preparation for your actual assessment. We have ten RICS trained assessors within Fisher German to ensure your mock is as realistic as possible.

We have a Graduate Team who are dedicated to supporting your APC through its successful Graduate Development Programme. More about them overleaf.

training opportunities

Your learning does not stop because you are leaving education. We are committed to equipping you with skills to develop your career, and as such you will have the opportunity to attend:

• A robust development programme specific to your requirements as a Graduate with Fisher German, including modules on Powerful

Relationships and Presentation Skills

• Three firm-wide contibual professional development days

• Any other training required to assist you to fulfil your role, for example lone working, Microsoft Office packages and mapping to name but three

APC

You will be fully supported throughout your APC, having an on-site supervisor and counsellor, and an off-site doctor who will meet with you throughout your qualification period. This programme enables you to:

Through our six sectors, Fisher German cover a wide variety of work. This ensures you receive exposure to many different areas and we will encourage you to specialise in work which interests you. In addition to your professional work, we support additional development and participation in charity work, cricket matches, office events and much more.

longer term career

After qualification, you will be seeking to progress your career and climb our promotion ladder. You will attend structured training programmes, have two annual performance reviews and embody the attributes described within our competency framework. Promotions are assessed on an individual level, so you will reap the rewards of your success!

clients

Irrespective of your location, you will work with our impressive client list, which include:

COTTESBROOKE

about you

On the brink of qualifying for a RICS accredited degree, you should be dedicated, committed and passionate about surveying. The minimum skills you should hold are:

Communication skills

Independentthought

Self-development

Open and honest

But most of all, you should be an individual able to sell your own unique skills and attributes. To be a successful member of our team, you need to take responsibility for your APC and your career thereafter. You will be provided with the tools for you to utilise to be a success at Fisher German.

Able to

network

Sharp intellect

Becomean

integralteam

member

Commercialawareness

Be an individual

career progressionLisabeth Grindrod

Joe Senior

What opportunities has Fisher German given you? Since I have joined Fisher German I have become a probationary member of the CAAV and attended numerous tutorials and briefing days, become a Brightcrop Ambassador and been able to move into the field of work which is of the greatest interest to me, farm consultancy.

What attracted you to Fisher German?The interview was very different from other firms and the interviewers were very approachable.The questions were not technical or ambiguous and instead the interviewers wanted to get to know me as a person. Fisher German is very supportive of the CAAV examinations which was a real positive for me as I feel it is a very important part of being a rural surveyor.

What do you enjoy most about your work?I really enjoy the variety of work and getting to go out regularly to farms and estates. Every Monday morning I attend weekly team meetings on an estate in Gloucestershire which always gets the week off to a good start. I have found learning to use the new GPS device and mapping software really useful

What support have you received to achieve your APC? The APC support has been fantastic so far. I have regular three monthly meetings with both my APC supervisor and counsellor. Each graduate is assigned an APC doctor from a different office who can give a fresh perspective on progress. Fisher German are very supportive of RICS courses, CAAV tutorials and CPD events and are always keen for graduates to attend.

Graduate Qualified Surveyor

2014

2014

Joined asGraduate

Joined asGraduate

What attracted you to Fisher German?What was most attractive about the position at Fisher German was the diverse work that I would be getting involved in. Fisher German has got me involved in everything from general management to utilities and assisting in valuations. This breadth of experience has put me in a great position to take my APC.

What do you enjoy most about your work?I most enjoy the environment and culture that I work in. Fisher German operate an enjoyable working environment and are very friendly across the business. There is a hard working culture that is mixed up with social and sporting events throughout the year which is a great opportunity to meet people from other offices.

What support have you received to achieve your APC? Fisher German has supported me immensely throughout my APC. When I first joined I was allocated a supervisor and counsellor within my office. Both have offered me great support throughout the training process and are always happy to help. In addition to this I have been allocated a doctor from another office. My doctor gives an overview on my training and ensures that I am on track. Fisher German operate central graduate training days, which is a great opportunity to meet up with other graduates in the firm. In addition to this I have been sent on a number of training courses and I have been encouraged to take my CAAV exams as well.

Why did you apply to Fisher German?I knew of Fisher German before I went to university because of their strong presence around the midlands. Fisher German attended one of our careers lectures at Cirencester and this confirmed that I would be applying to them. I was most impressed with the firm’s commitment to graduate training and their exceptional success rate.

Why did you apply to Fisher German?I applied to Fisher German after work experience in the Knutsford office andlistening to the presentation in the ‘milk round’ at the Royal Agricultural University. The friendly, yet professional feel of the company really appealed to me.

2014

2014

Joined asGraduate

Joined asGraduate

Holly Richardson-Parry

Jack Healy

Why did you apply to Fisher German? I was attracted by its reputation and excellent APC and CAAV record. In addition, it is of a good size to be still friendly and personable but big enough to allow growth and career progression. I also knew other people who had worked for the firm and had loved it.

What do you like about working for Fisher German? I like the variety across the firm, it’s people and the network within it. The firm is dynamic and entrepreneurial having doubled in size since I joined. I have progressed through the firm from nervous graduate to Local Partner and it’s nice to be recognised for your ability and the skills you offer.

What do you enjoy about your work?I really enjoy the variety and the responsibility I have been given since day one. I have always been client facing and involved with all aspects of the instruction. It is particularly rewarding when a client begins to contact you directly for advice and you start to win your own work. The firm is fully supportive and advice is always there, but there is also the opportunity and space given to carve your own career.

What has been the highlight of your Fisher German career? I have several highlights, including:•Winning the top prize known as ‘the gavel’ for the Midland Counties Association practical exam and becoming a Fellow of the CAAV – quite an achievement for a girl from a non-farming background!•Progressing to Local Partner within 7 years at Fisher German.•Having worked for Henry Sale our managing partner who sadly passed away suddenly in 2013, I have successfully stepped up to the mark and continued acting for Henry’s clients.•Been the top AMC agent in the Midlands region for the past two years and in 2014 been one of the top three National agents – extra special as the only female agent in the Midlands.

Associate Local Partner

2008

2013

2009

2014

2012 2014

Promoted to Local Partner

Qualified asSurveyor

Qualified asSurveyor

Joined asGraduate

Joined asGraduate

Promoted to Associate

What do you like about working for Fisher German?Fisher German are well known for the development of new systems and the utilisation of technology. This not only helps to improve efficiency but demonstrates the pioneering attitude of the firm, which I am proud to be part of.

Tell me about your current work.I currently work under two partners in the rural department and I am subsequently exposed to a wide array of tasks including general land management, landlord and tenant matters, rural agency, access and rights, commercial property management and assisting with Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Loans. One of the larger projects that I am currently working on is the disposal of a significant agricultural portfolio for a large corporate client in North East England which has included the inspection of land, preparation of sales particulars, viewings, review of tender applications and ongoing progression to completion.

What has been the highlight of your Fisher German career? The highlight of my Fisher German career was passing my APC and CAAV examinations and in doing so I was awarded the Midland Counties Agricultural Valuer’s Association ‘Gavel’ for the highest combined examination result in the region. This was the result of excellent support and guidance provided during my studies by both colleagues and the wider firm.

What do you like about working for Fisher German?I have been fortunate to work in both the Ashby and Retford offices since the start of my employment in August 2013. Both offices boast a superb team spirit, providing support and advice whenever needed, to me this has been fundamental to the ongoing development of my career to date.

about us

In 2000, we had three offices. Today, we have in excess of 350

employees and Partners across 15 offices

96% said their team is responsive to the needs

of customers, both internal and external

Our values are:• Pride• Commitment• Simplicity• Professionalism• Entrepreneurial• EmpowerFisher

German has been serving its clients for

almost 200 years

94% of our staff said clients’ needs are a top

priority to the company

Our vision is ‘to be the best at what we do, as judged by our clients and colleagues’

92% of our

clients rate our service

as excellent

very good or

good92% of our people feel proud to work for Fisher

German

We manage and consult on

over 270 estatesin an area that

covers over 400,000 acres

87% said their team works collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes

96% of clients said they would use

Fisher German

again

We undertake the property

management of over 2500km of fibre optic

infrastructure

The firm has a 96% RICs pass rate and 94% CAAV

pass rate

89% would recommend Fisher German as a good

place to work

94% would recommend

Fisher German to friends and

familyWe have a

Graduate Team who are

committed to providing an excellent

Graduate Development Progamme

We are made up of the following sectors:

• Rural• Utlilities & Infrastructure• Energy & Renewables• Residential• Commercial• Development

our communityWe expect you to work hard – let’s be honest, now and then there are periods of intense effort; that’s the nature of the job.

The reward for your hard work is the opportunity for play time too. Each of our offices hold various social events, fundraising activities, charity work and some notorious Christmas Parties! In addition, we hold firm-wide activities too, like our ‘Big Event’ and inter-office cricket tournaments.

Pretty little

mudders

The Big Event

Christmas jumpers!

Golf day!

Inter-office

cricket

matches!

Severn Trent

mountain

challenge

Race for life

Professional Fees

We’ll pay for your membership, joining and subscription fees associated with RICS and CAAV, or any other fees relating to your role.

Holiday

A starting holiday allowance of 23 days, which increases over time.

Pension

When you start for us, you will be enrolled into our pension scheme, where we will make a contribution which equates to 3% of your salary.

GoFish!

GoFish! is our exclusive portal which enables you to save money as you shop, whether this be your weekly food shopping, holidays, meals out or annual insurance premiums.

Technology

We provide you with up to date technology designed to support you in your role, both in and out of the office.

what do I get when I qualify?

earn while you learn

We offer a competitive salary, relocation allowance, discretionary annual bonuses, as well as:

Upon qualification, you will also get:

Car

You will have the choice of either taking ownership of a new company car, or receive the equivalent cash allowance.

Private Medical Health

You will be invited to join our Private Medical Health scheme

interested? then you will need to know how to apply:

Application

Applications are made online at fishergerman.co.uk/career/graduates by 19 November at 5pm. We simply ask you for a few contact details, a covering letter, your CV and for you to answer the two questions below in no more than 250 words.

Interviews

We believe the best way to learn about you is through meeting you for an interview. Your first interview will be a dialogue between you and will last approximately 45 minutes. A current Graduate will be on hand afterwards to answer any questions you may have.

Second interviews will be held shortly afterwards at the office we believe will be most suited to you. This will allow you to meet the team and see the office you will be working in.

Starting With Us

If you are successful, you will begin with us between July and September 2016.

1. What are you looking for from a career as a Chartered Surveyor, and how do you think Fisher German might help you fulfil these ambitions?

2. What do you believe are your strongest points that will help you achieve your goals in your professional career?

final word from our Managing Partner, Andrew Jackson

I started as a Qualified Surveyor and it has taken me to the role of Managing Partner.

When I look at how Fisher German has progressed - its substantial growth even during an economic downturn - I am extremely proud.

That growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by providing the right strategic direction, excellent financial management and, above all, by having the best people across the whole organisation.

For us it is about finding people who have a passion for their chosen careers and who will be inspired by the same things. Don’t for a minute think that we are looking to recruit clones or robots - we would not be the entrepreneurial firm we are today, if we did.

At Fisher German we have personality; we’re not a faceless organisation. We are a great firm with a long history. We are proud of that and work hard to do it justice.

We aim to be trusted business advisers as well as surveyors and help our clients achieve what they want.

We do recognise that you have a choice and I would strongly recommend you do as much research as possible to find the right organisation for you.

All chartered surveyor firms are not the same; it is important to find somewhere you really want to work and we want graduates who really want to work with us.

“When I look how Fisher

German has progressed;

its substantial growth even

during an economic

downturn, I am extremely

proud

”