You’ve just become a chartered surveyor! So, what happens next?

You did it! You are now a fully fledged chartered surveyor! Congratulations. The revision, the interviews, the pressure - it’s all behind you. Now you can sign off your own reports, make decisions independently, and finally say that you’re chartered.

But after the dust settles, a new question often emerges: what now?

This is a career crossroads - and it matters more than you think.Being a chartered surveyor doesn’t just mean autonomy. It’s a signal to the industry that you’re ready to move up, take on more responsibility, and start shaping your long-term career path. It often comes with a payrise, maybe a permanent job offer, and probably a lot of attention from recruiters.But before you start entertaining job offers or jumping ship for a higher salary, here’s what you really need to know.

Don’t be sold to

Once you're chartered, you're officially hot property. Your LinkedIn lights up, your inbox fills with offers, and suddenly you're everyone's ideal candidate. Roles, packages, big-name clients - it can all feel very exciting.

But here's the reality: just because you're in demand doesn’t mean every opportunity is right for you.Most recruiters will try to sell you a job. And if they start mentioning silly salaries, be skeptical. Most businesses will pay the same for a newly chartered surveyor.

A move should be about more than money. If you’re happy where you are, learning, and being challenged - stay. You’ve got time.Now is the time to take stock of your career and ensure you are where you want to be. For example, are you in a residential team but are actually more interested in build-to-rent or student accommodation?

If you are looking to move, focus on teams and businesses that can truly support your next stage of growth. Ask questions like:

Who will I be learning from?

What kind of projects will I lead?

Where have other newly chartered surveyors in this team ended up?

Don’t let the payrise blind you

Yes, becoming chartered usually comes with a bump in salary. And for the majority of businesses, this figure will be pretty similar across the board. However, there are some larger businesses that are restricted by salary bandings that don’t stretch much further than the graduate level. If you’re in one of those firms, it’s possible that many newly chartered surveyors will start looking elsewhere. Not because they’re unhappy, but because they want to be paid in line with market value.

Again, it’s important to consider what other benefits you might be getting that outweigh a small pay-rise. If there is a huge opportunity to challenge yourself and learn quickly, this could be a bigger benefit to your overall career path that could see you win bigger financially, later.

If you want to weigh the pros and cons, we’re here to talk you through your options strategically - including staying where you are. And if you want to know what you should be earning, our 2025 Real Estate Salary & Trends Guide breaks it down by region, specialism, and seniority.

It’s not you, it’s them

Some companies are finding themselves in a tough spot. After over-hiring on their graduate schemes, there simply aren’t enough permanent roles to go around. So if you’re not offered a perm position, it’s not a reflection on your ability. It’s just a sign of wider business limitations. View it as an opportunity to go after what you really want instead! And we’re here to help.

On the flip side, if you do get a permanent offer, check what comes with it: real responsibility, development opportunities, and access to work that will stretch you and set you up for success.

Your next step sets the tone for your whole surveying career

The business you work for immediately after getting chartered can influence everything. Your network. Your exposure. Your confidence. Your trajectory.

It’s less about logos and more about learning. The right mentorship and exposure in a smaller setup can take you further than a flashy name with limited learning.

So…what now?

Take a breath. Celebrate. And remember: becoming a chartered surveyor is the start of the next chapter, not the end of the story. Whether you stay put or start exploring new opportunities, do it on your terms, with your career, not just your payslip, in mind.

If you’re unsure where you sit in the market, or just want to sense-check your next move, we’re always happy to chat. No hard sell. No pressure. Just honest advice from people who’ve helped hundreds of surveyors navigate this exact stage. SONDR offers tailored guidance and opportunities to help real estate professionals achieve their career goals.

Ready to talk about what’s next for you now you’re chartered? Get in touch with us today and let's discuss the future of your career.