Unlock Your Property Manager Success: Crack the Top 10 Interview Questions & Tips!

Posted by & filed under Advice, Interview Tips.

Searching for that dream property manager role? We get it – interviews can be daunting. But fear not! The key is to flaunt your property management prowess and conquer those questions.

Let’s dive into the essentials:

👔 Dress to Impress: They say, ‘first impressions last.’ Your attire is your first impression.

 

🤔 Prepare Follow-up Questions: Show enthusiasm and gather crucial info about the role. It’s like showing them you’re ready for the job, even before it’s yours.

 

📜 Know Local Codes: Stay ahead of the game by staying updated on building regulations. It’s a power move!

 

📜 Know State Laws: Be the law-abiding manager; it’s a testament to your professionalism.

 

Crack the code with these strategies:

🧠 Showcase Problem-Solving Prowess: Picture this – you’re the go-to person when things get tough. Share an example of a challenge you faced and conquered, proving you’re a problem-solving wizard.

 

👥 Highlight Leadership Skills: Envision yourself as the bridge between owners and residents. Share a story where your leadership shone through in managing a property.

 

📊 Share Success Stories: Imagine boosting resident retention, streamlining maintenance, and innovating. Paint a picture with stats and examples to prove your positive impact.

 

Now, onto the interview playbook:

What Makes a Great Property Manager?
Scenario: They want to gauge if you understand the key qualities.
Answer: A great property manager is proactive, organised, and knows local codes and laws. Showcase these skills to boost confidence in your abilities.

 

What Are Your Strengths in Property Management?
Scenario: They’re looking for specific strengths that align with the role.
Answer: Focus on leadership, relevant experience, and positive feedback from your property management journey.

 

What Property Management Software Do You Use?
Scenario: They want to know if you’re tech-savvy and can streamline processes.
Answer: Highlight your knowledge of popular systems like Entrata, Appfolio, or RealPage, emphasising their role in automation and organisation.

 

How Do You Handle Pressure?
Scenario: Property management can be stressful; they want to ensure you can handle it.
Answer: Share examples of how you’ve skillfully managed pressure in the past.

 

What Are the Basics of Property Management?
Scenario: They’re checking if you understand the fundamentals.
Answer: Briefly outline creating a property portfolio, rent collection, maintenance, quick vacancy filling, and overseeing daily operations.

 

How Do You Handle Contractor Disputes?
Scenario: Contractor issues are par for the course. They want to know you can resolve them tactfully.
Answer: Share a scenario where you resolved a dispute swiftly without burning bridges.

 

What Types of Rental Properties Have You Managed?
Scenario: They want to gauge the breadth of your experience.
Answer: Highlight the variety – residential, gated communities, commercial offices – and emphasise adaptability to different needs.

 

How Does Your Resident Screening Process Work?
Scenario: They’re keen on ensuring you can attract and retain quality residents.
Answer: Outline your process for finding, gathering, and nurturing high-quality leads.

 

Describe a Situation With a Difficult Resident and Its Resolution
Scenario: They’re assessing your conflict resolution skills.
Answer: Share a specific scenario where you effectively resolved a disagreement, showcasing your skills in managing conflicts.

 

How Long Are Your Rental Units Typically Vacant?
Scenario: They’re interested in your ability to minimise vacancy time.
Answer: Highlight your track record in reducing unit vacancy time, proving your ability to meet and exceed expectations.

 

Finish strong with killer questions:

❓ What’s a Typical Day Like in This Role?
Scenario: They want to ensure you know what you’re signing up for.
Answer: Ask for insights into the daily routine to show your readiness for the specifics of the role.

 

🎯 What Are the Building’s Goals? Let’s Strategise!
Scenario: They appreciate a proactive mindset.
Answer: Show eagerness by strategising how you can contribute to achieving their goals.

 

🚀 Immediate Projects to Tackle? I’m Ready!

Scenario: They want someone ready to hit the ground running.
Answer: Express your readiness and eagerness to dive into the immediate projects, proving you’re not just here for a job but to make a meaningful impact.

 

Now your Ready to shine in your property manager interview! 🌟🌟🌟

The Future of Facilities Management – Embracing Technological Disruption

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Welcome to our latest Facilities Management Insights! In this edition, we unravel the intricacies of real-time environment perception, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of indoor spaces. Join us as we explore technological advancements, sustainable practices, and the pivotal role facilities management plays in shaping a circular economy.

In this thought-provoking session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of:

Real-Time Environment Perception: Explore the need for real-time data to truly comprehend indoor environments, debunking the illusion of ideal spaces and revealing concerns about external pollutants.

Technological Imperatives: Recognise the limitations of traditional methods, advocating for advanced technologies like enhanced air filtration to optimise indoor air quality.

Sustainable Practices: Challenge the inefficiency and environmental impact of stripping and rebuilding office interiors repeatedly, encouraging a shift towards sustainable alternatives.

Circular Economy Contribution: Delve into the role of facilities management in fostering a circular economy, identifying opportunities for waste reduction and resource efficiency.

Environmental Footprint Considerations: Examine the broader impact of transit decisions on the carbon footprint, emphasising the interconnectedness of facilities management with environmental sustainability.

Host : Alex Wiffen

Guest speakers:

Nevo Ben-Shitrit – VP sales & business development APAC & EMEA at Molekule

Bronny Wilson – Regional Head of Europe at Equiem

Katherine Rose – Managing Director at Vervlife

We hope you find the discussion engaging and insightful! If you would ever be interested in joining us as a panelist please feel free to book a time into Alex’s diary to discuss – https://calendly.com/alex-wiffen/quick-chat

Industry Perspectives on the Digital Transformation of the Real Estate Sector

Posted by & filed under Industry News.

In a dynamic and ever-evolving world, the real estate industry finds itself on the cusp of transformation, fueled by the digital age. The webinar titled “Industry Perspectives on the Digital Transformation of the Real Estate Sector,” hosted by Alex Wiffen, offered a platform for insightful discussions about the challenges, opportunities, and innovations that are reshaping the sector.

With esteemed guest speakers including:
Lorri Rowlandson – Senior Vice President, BGIS
Ella Walter-Pavlou – Innovation Manager, GPE
Alice Guo – Manager, Technology Strategy, ex Oxford Properties
Gregory Pitl – Innovation & Technology Lead, Patrizia

Throughout the conversation, participants explored a wide range of topics, providing a comprehensive view of the current state and future potential of the real estate sector.

Setting the Stage for Transformation The discussion kicked off by addressing the fundamental shifts in customer behavior and expectations, emphasizing the role of digital transformation in reshaping the industry. Guest speakers highlighted the need for the real estate sector to catch up with other industries in terms of technology adoption and innovation.

Navigating Challenges in Digital Transformation The conversation then turned to the challenges that the real estate industry faces in its digital journey. The panelists underscored the significance of data in driving informed decisions, highlighting the existing data gap in the sector. They also pointed out the cultural barriers hindering digital transformation, stressing the importance of fostering a culture that embraces innovation.

Innovations in Real Estate Technology In this segment, the spotlight was on the innovative technologies that are reshaping the industry. PropTech, AI, and IoT were among the transformative technologies discussed. The participants examined how these technologies are revolutionizing the way real estate is managed, operated, and experienced. The discussion also delved into the potential of blockchain to enhance transparency and security in real estate transactions.

The Spectrum of Innovation and Future Predictions The debate shifted to the spectrum of innovation, distinguishing between incremental and radical transformation. The participants explored whether the industry’s current trajectory of gradual change is sufficient or if more disruptive innovation is needed. Additionally, the conversation touched on the skills and education profiles required for effective digital transformation.

Looking forward, the guest speakers shared their predictions for the industry’s digital transformation in the next five and fifty years. While some were optimistic about the pace of change, others highlighted the need for substantial shifts over the longer term. Themes such as 3D printing, the metaverse, automation, data-driven decision-making, and smart cities emerged as potential drivers of transformation.

In a comprehensive view of the entire discussion, it becomes evident that the real estate industry is at a pivotal juncture. The webinar offered valuable insights into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities the sector faces in its journey towards digital transformation. As industry leaders continue to grapple with data management, culture shifts, and the adoption of innovative technologies, it is clear that embracing change is no longer an option but a necessity.

As the industry evolves, collaboration, innovation, and a customer-centric mindset will be the guiding principles that pave the way for a digitally transformed real estate landscape. The webinar “Industry Perspectives on the Digital Transformation of the Real Estate Sector” provided an illuminating forum for experts to shed light on the path ahead, offering valuable takeaways for both professionals and stakeholders in the real estate industry.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH:

Last chance to take part in Innovators in Real Estate survey

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As featured on Design & Build UK www.designandbuilduk.net

Real estate managers with responsibility for PropTech have until Friday April 8 to take part in a landmark study.

PropTech specialists at CBRE, JLL and BNP Paribas are among well over 100 who have already contributed to the Innovators in Real Estate survey, which aims to establish for the first time how effectively the industry is deploying new technology.

Organised by recruitment specialist Cherry Pick People in partnership with PropTech procurement platform Unissu, the online survey is aimed at heads of digital transformation and innovation, and those in similar roles, as well as their line managers.

It is available to complete at https://unissu.typeform.com/cherrypick

Participants are asked to give their insight into the sector’s relationship with technology and to identify the challenges facing managers leading innovation within their companies. The survey also looks at different organisational, team and individual roles and responsibilities for PropTech within real estate firms.

This is believed to be the first attempt to understand these dynamics, and to provide benchmarking data and perceptions to help innovators understand their current position in the industry and their future prospects.

Alex Wiffen, Managing Director at Cherry Pick People, said: “We firmly believe that people leading innovation strategies are going to play an increasingly important role in the real estate industry. By providing insight, our study will help them to manage their careers and encourage more people to take this journey.”

The survey findings will be presented at conferences across Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific in the coming months with a detailed report published to coincide with the beginning of the conference season.

All participants will receive a free copy of the report.

About Unissu and Cherry Pick People

Unissu is a PropTech procurement platform, helping innovators in real estate find and select the best PropTech companies from more than 10,000 suppliers worldwide.

Cherry Pick People is a talent and recruitment consultancy specialising in real estate and PropTech with a mission to help drive the digitisation of the global real estate sector.

 

The successful persons guide to dealing with rejection at work

Posted by & filed under Advice, Blog, Opinion.

It is never a nice feeling like you have been rejected, especially when you are at work. Of course, your emotions and that completely irrational person within us is probably shouting that you should completely hulk out on the entire workplace and smash everything to bits. But we all know that in the real world this isn’t the approach to take… plus you might rip your favourite outfit!
You might not believe it, but even the most successful people have, at one point in their lives, had to deal with rejection. The thing that sets them apart from others is how they deal with it and move on.
Feel like you need some inspiration in how to better deal with being told that you are not quite up to scratch? Below is the successful persons guide to dealing with rejection in the workplace.

They remember that this isn’t the only path to take
One of the worst things that you can do when you have been rejected from something is to think that it is all your own fault and that you just weren’t good enough. The thing to always keep in mind is that just because you were rejected, that doesn’t mean it was because you were worthless, it simply means that you were not right for that path. Recognise and remember your own value and instead of thinking that this is the only route to take, take another look at your map.

They take the time to think about what happened
Sometimes rejection can come out of the blue, that you can’t pinpoint where it all went wrong. However, just as likely is that there are things that you could have done differently. Someone who is successful can reflect on what happened and know perhaps where they could have made changes. That doesn’t mean that the rejection was all your fault of course, but it is something that can help you with the future.

They ask for feedback
It isn’t always easy to hear what is wrong with you, but sometimes welcoming feedback is the best way to make yourself better and push yourself to succeed. The feedback might be something that you already know about and want to change, but it could also be something that you may not have even been aware of. The important thing is that you can ask the other person to let you know how they see you.

They then improve
It’s all well and good asking for feedback when you have been rejected, but what you should also then do is think about it and make changes. We can all do with a touch of improvement and if you have taken the giant leap to asking for some feedback, then do something with it. Otherwise you might as well have had your fingers in your ears and shouted la-la-la whilst they were talking to you!
When you are feeling down and you are tempted to hide away from the world, remember that even the most successful people in the world probably had the same hurdles. The only difference with them is rather than buying a large tub of ice cream and grabbing a blanket, they dusted themselves off and set about showing those who rejected them just what they are worth. We can promise you, that it is the best revenge to take!

Would you hire a male administrator?

Posted by & filed under Blog, Opinion.

What comes to mind when you think about sexism in the work place?

Chances are that you are going to think about women not being treated equally compared to the men that they work alongside. However, in some industries, the men are actually just as discriminated against as women. Administration being a prime example of this.

Administration is often seen as ‘women’s work’. If a man is found in one of these roles, then they may be seen as working beneath their skill level. But why is this? Why is admin seen as women’s work?

A recent survey by Careersmart found that 77% of our administrative work force are women and a measly 23% are men, however the average salary of a man working in this type of role is around £4000 higher than the average female is being paid. https://careersmart.org.uk/occupations/other-administrative-occupations

Why is admin seen as women’s work?

  • Women are more organised and able to multi-task

One thing that many people think about women, is that they are the best at multi-tasking and tackling many jobs at once. Men, on the other hand are not quite as recognised for their ability to focus on many things at once, which is why they are not often seen as the ideal admin worker.

  • Women are more social

An important part of any admin role, but particularly those that involve being customer facing, is being able to be approachable and social. Women are always seen as being more social than men. They find it easier to chat, to get to know other people and to be personable and friendly.

  • Women are not seen as keen on technological roles

Whilst many office jobs are seen as “women’s work” when it comes to IT and dealing with other aspects of technology, men are definitely seen as being more prevalent. It is thought that women might not be as interested in roles that deal with technology, instead focusing on softer skills.

Of course, whilst these are thought to be the reasons why there are fewer men working in admin, these are not actually true and are just stereotypes. Male administrators are just as talented, capable and able as female administrators, and can prove to be a valuable part of any team. Over my last 4 years at Cherry Pick People some of my most successful candidates in administrative roles have been male.

Ask yourself, would you consider hiring a male administrator?

In any business, balance is KEY and both men and women are capable of doing any roles that they want to tackle. The ability to do a job is not down to your gender, is more about your skills, your experience, your knowledge and whether or not you are the right person for the job, regardless of what that job is…