Job Search Resources

Advice for breaking in to the industry

1. Start with a Clear Objective

Consider replacing a general summary with a brief objective that states your intent to transition into surveying. For example:

“Motivated and technically inclined professional transitioning from logistics and maritime operations to land surveying. Brings strong field experience, team coordination, and hands-on problem-solving skills. Currently enrolled in land surveying apprenticeship and seeking an entry-level opportunity to grow within the trade.”

There is a big difference between office work and fieldwork. If possible, be specific about the type of work you want to transition into. 

2. Tailor Your Skills to Surveying

It sounds like you have a great foundation—physical stamina, technical aptitude, leadership, and field coordination. Try to present these as directly applicable to surveying tasks. Showing how your past roles align with fieldwork, crew operations, and equipment logistics will help a potential employer see the connection.

3. Reframe Your Work Experience

Rather than listing responsibilities, frame your experience in ways that mirror the demands of land surveying. For instance:

• Managing a warehouse can reflect your ability to coordinate equipment and logistics on a survey crew.

• Your maritime work shows your comfort in outdoor, physically demanding, team-based environments, which is very relevant to survey fieldwork.

4. Include Survey-Specific Training

If you’re enrolled in or participating in any related training - such as Southern California Land Surveying Apprenticeship entrance exam - say it, along with any tools or systems you’re learning (e.g., GPS, total stations, AutoCAD, etc.).

5. Add a Cover Letter

I’d strongly recommend writing a brief cover letter explaining your career pivot, your interest in surveying, and why you’re excited to start in this trade. That’s your opportunity to show your passion, work ethic, and long-term goals in a more personal voice. 

I enjoy seeing applicants create a cover letter specifically for our firm. If you take the time to research a potential workplace and present a solution to a problem you feel they are experiencing; you will get noticed. 

- From Ben at Ridgeline Engineering

I was an owner/operator in Local 12 for over 20 years. The people that I was most interested in talking to were the applicants that came to me. Face to face. You have to find that first job. Nothing beats hitting the pavement and going to a company and nocking on the door and ask for a job. At least drop off your resume. That is where the Cover Letter really comes in hand. You show that you really want that job and you are motivated to get in. 

Where do you find those companies? If you are looking for Union work then get the list of Union Signatory Firms and go to each one with your Cover Letter and Resume. Whom is the Survey Manager of the firm? Call the company and ask. Go meet the Survey Manager or company owner face to face. If you want to look Non-Union then Google them in your area. Again go to each company and drop off your Cover Letter and Resume.

Next start getting educated in land surveying. Several of the Junior Colleges have land surveying classes if the Union classes are full. Think about the National Society of Professional Surveyors, NSPS, Certified Survey Technician classes. All online. This will show the desire to learn. Start taking an Autocad class. Most of us are using Autocad to do our drafting now.  It is another feather in your cap to show you are not only a field person, but also can help in the office. 

Finally, get involved with the California Land Surveyors Association. Start attending the your local Chapter meetings. Attend meetings as often as you can. Email each of the Executive Members of the Chapters and tell them you are looking for a job. www.clsa-la.org. Each of the Executive Members work at great companies.

- Daniel at Orange County’s Surveyor Office