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

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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! 🌟🌟🌟

Tips on how to prepare for a real estate job interview

Posted by & filed under Advice, Blog, Interview Tips.

Preparing for a job interview can be a daunting task, especially if you are interviewing for a position in the highly competitive real estate industry. However, with the right preparation and mindset, you can ace your interview and land the job of your dreams. In this blog post, we will provide you with some tips on how to prepare for a real estate job interview.

  1. Research the company and the role: Before your interview, it is important to research the company and the role you are applying for. Go through their website and social media pages to learn about their mission, values, and culture. This will help you understand what the company is looking for in a candidate and tailor your responses to align with their goals.
  2. Review the job description: Make sure to read the job description thoroughly and identify the key skills and qualifications required for the role. This will help you anticipate the questions you may be asked during the interview and prepare your responses accordingly.
  3. Practice your responses: It is essential to practice your responses to common interview questions, such as “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” You can also research common real estate interview questions and practice your responses with a friend or family member.
  4. Prepare examples: To showcase your skills and experience, it is important to have specific examples ready to share during the interview. Think of times when you demonstrated your skills, such as closing a difficult deal, working with a difficult client, or managing a challenging project.
  5. Dress appropriately: Dressing appropriately is important for making a good impression on your interviewer. It is recommended to dress in business attire, such as a suit or a dress with closed-toe shoes.
  6. Bring a copy of your resume: It is always a good idea to bring a copy of your resume to the interview, even if you have already submitted it online. This will help your interviewer reference your qualifications and experience during the interview.
  7. Be on time: Punctuality is important for making a good impression on your interviewer. Make sure to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early for your interview to allow for unexpected delays.
  8. Be confident and positive: During the interview, it is important to be confident, positive, and enthusiastic about the role and the company. Smile, maintain eye contact, and listen attentively to your interviewer’s questions.
  9. Follow up: After the interview, it is important to follow up with a thank-you email or note. This will show your interviewer that you appreciate their time and are still interested in the position.

In conclusion, preparing for a real estate job interview takes time and effort, but it is worth it in the end. By researching the company and role, practicing your responses, preparing examples, dressing appropriately, being punctual, and following up, you can increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

6 reasons why accepting a counter offer is rarely a good idea!

Posted by & filed under Advice, Interview Tips, Opinion, Starting a new Job.

6 reasons why accepting a counter offer is rarely a good idea!  So, you’ve accepted an offer to work for a new company and its time to quit your current job. You do all the right things: give notice, offer to help in the transition, say thanks for the opportunity. But instead of just shaking your hand and wishing you good luck, your boss hits you with a counter offer – one that includes more money, more holiday, and better benefits.

It can be easy for candidates to be dazzled by a hike in salary and commitment from their current employer. However, the chances are your boss has ulterior motives. Employee resignations can hurt a manager’s record. Or, maybe, he or she wants to keep you on long enough to find a replacement. Perhaps it’s their motive because it’s far more cost effective to pay you a bit more than it is to recruit, hire, and train a new employee.

In some instances, accepting a counter offer may be a good move. However, once the dust has settled statistics show that 80% of people either voluntarily leave within 6 months or are let go in a year. We see this first hand, candidates that accept a counter offer from their current employer are active again – more often than not within 6 months.  So before you say yes, consider these reasons why you might want to consider declining.

 

1. If you have previously requested a pay rise and not received one you have to ask where the money is coming from for your counter offer? It is likely this was simply the money allocated for your next bonus or raise, diminishing the true value of the counter offer.

 

2. Don’t forget your original reasons for looking for a new role – if company culture played a part in this a pay rise will only temporarily mask this issue. You also have to question the company ethics if it takes you to tell them you’re leaving to realise how much you’re worth.

 

3. From this point on your employer will question your loyalty – after the initial euphoria at you staying they won’t forget that you came close to jumping ship. Be aware that in months to come this could affect future promotions and potential for progression.

 

4. It’s not just your employers that will change their behaviour towards you but colleagues may see you in a different light and your relationships may suffer – ultimately adding to your workplace unhappiness.

 

5. Going back on an offer you accepted from another company can hamper your impression on the new company as well. Even though the acceptance could just be verbal, it is still viewed as an agreement between you and the new company. If you decide to stay with your current company and things again don’t work for you as promised/expected, you’ve burned a bridge with a company that may have been a much better fit.

 

6. As mentioned above, once the dust has settled statistics show that 80% of people either voluntarily leave within 6 months or are let go in a year. You will be first in the firing line if cutbacks are made as they know that your commitment is not truly there.

 

The advantage of being on board with Cherry Pick People is that we can help you manage this process to get the best outcome and guide you through every step of the way. Feel free to get in touch with Lema for advice on 020 3587 7687 or by emailing lema@cherrypickpeople.com

 

The dreaded “Tell me about yourself” interview question

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Some interview questions often throw my candidates when they’re interviewing for a job in Estate Agency – let’s start with one of the most common interview questions ever-

“Tell me about yourself”

This question is probably the one I am asked for advice about the most – what is the best way to answer it? Remember, it is a way for the interviewer to see how you react to a non-structured question and see what you deem as important!

Firstly, this is not a cue for you to tell your life story (this is probably the biggest mistake candidates make with this question – “well I was born in Richmond in 1990 in a little house by the Thames, I went to St Marys School and really enjoyed my cycling proficiency test…” don’t get me wrong – It’s great to open up and tell the interviewer about your past – but please, save it for when you actually get hired.

Another key mistake is to answer with “well, what would you like to know?” …Goodbye to the job you have just been preparing for the last week – this would just scream a lack of preparation and not being able to work well under pressure. Seems harsh? Well yes, it is, but so is a sales role!

And lastly another common mistake – the 20-minute answer! Going off on tangents is a very common mistake (which trust me, I am very capable of too). Keep it as short as possible 1 to 2 minutes max! You will have more chances to show your strengths and attributes later on in the interview.

Remember, this question is a perfect time for you to take control of the interview and to sell yourself as to why you are the perfect candidate for this role and accomplishments you have achieved to show this. What experiences and skills you have which are relevant to the job you are applying for!

So, what is the best way to answer this question?

Research conducted by Marc Cenedella (founder of Knozen) suggests you focus on what you can do to fulfil the needs of the company you are interviewing for. So when being asked the “tell me about yourself question” think about the qualities the company will WANT in order to do the job successfully. For example, “I’d really describe myself as a person with a versatile skill-set, a lot of integrity and a willingness to go the extra mile to satisfy a customer.  Perhaps the best way to let you know what I’m about is to share with you some relevant experience I have.“– ALWAYS give examples in the workplace where you have shown this!

If you have NO experience – do not worry! The company will have already seen your CV and want to see you anyway – focus on the attributes you have to make you successful at the job – for example “competitive – having played netball throughout school and college” etc. A lot of the time personality is 50% of the job done! Energy and enthusiasm are also just as vital!

So when you’re going for your next estate agent position and you’re being asked the dreaded “Tell me about yourself” question, grab the opportunity with both hands and really sell yourself as to why you would be the perfect candidate for the job!!

Good Luck!!!

Why a failed first interview is like a failed first date!!!

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Why a failed first interview is like a failed first date!!!  Having worked in Property recruitment for nearly two years, I often link property recruitment or indeed recruitment generally to dating… or in my case a matchmaker.

You do your searches, send a message, hope to get a reply, get to know and understand what each other are looking for, arrange a date and hope to either meet again or get a happy ending (but not the type you’re thinking of).

I often tell my candidates that going on a first interview is very much like going on a first date especially if they’re nervous and need a little extra support and guidance.

So here are my top tips for your first interview (or dating if you need help with that too)

  1. Peacocking – This is a massive factor, first impressions are so important on a first date. The same can be said for an interview.  Turn up in your neatly pressed suit and scuff-less shoes with a portfolio in tow and smelling good and you’ll come across as professional and well put together.
  2. Sell yourself – An interview is as much about getting to know each other as it is about your skills and experience otherwise recruitment would be Tinderised, you would swipe right and hope it’s a match! Your answers should always be professional but talking about experiences outside of work is a great way to show your personality.
  3. Show an interest – There’s nothing worse than being on a date with someone who comes across like they don’t want to be there. The same goes for an interview. Make a connection with the interviewer. Ask questions, smile and be positive.
  4. Have things to talk about – It’s easy to get a little nervous, and this can sometimes lead to you giving one word answers and not enough detail. This would not go down well on a date and the same is true for an interview.  Research the company, make sure you know all there is to know about them, research the interviewers on LinkedIn get an understanding about them and their interests which will come in very handy during the interview especially if you have things in common. (By this I’m not condoning stalking your date on Facebook before meeting them)
  5. The Close – “So are we going to see each other again?” is usually how a first date ends if everything goes well. In an interview, if you really want the job, be sure that you have done enough to get a second interview. Ask the interviewer, “based on our meeting today is there anything that you’re unsure of?” This hopefully gives you a chance to overcome any reservations they have.

So here is my comparison on the recruitment process and dating… If you’re looking for your next job or looking for someone new to join your team, then get in touch with myself or the team at cherry pick people.  Unfortunately, we do not provide match making services of the dating kind.

10 Weirdest Interview Questions

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10 Weirdest Interview Questions

Having worked in Property Recruitment for many years I’ve certainly come across a few quirky individuals who have asked some very random questions – one in particular was “if you were a chocolate bar – what would you be and why?” that was asked by a senior Director of one of our Estate Agency clients!

Of course there is a benefit of asking the standard questions – such as “what are your strengths/weaknesses” and “what was your greatest achievement in your previous job?”

However, I’ve always found that interviews based solely on these types of questions can be as painful for the interviewer as the interviewee! So I think a few off the wall questions can help you learn more about the person you’re interviewing as they won’t have been able to prepare extensively in advance and it gives you a chance to see how people respond to the unexpected! Something particularly important when recruiting for Sales people

Having said that some companies have taken it too far!

Here are the 10 weirdest questions I’ve collated – surprisingly only one is directly from the Property industry?

Here are 10 amusing questions asked by real companies:

  1. Describe the colour yellow to somebody who’s blind. – Asked by Spirit Airlines.
  1. On a scale of 1-10, How weird are you? – Asked by Zappos.
  1. Can you say: `Peter Pepper Picked a Pickled Pepper` and cross-sell a washing machine at the same time – Asked by Mastercard.
  1. A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here? – Asked by Clark Construction Group
  1. You are in a dark room with no light. You need matching socks for your interview and you have 19 grey socks and 25 black socks. What are the chances you will get a matching pair? – Asked by Guardsmark.
  1. Is Batman a superhero? – Asked by AlphaSights
  1. Choose a city and estimate how many piano tuners operate a business there – Asked by Google
  1. If I was talking to your best friend, what is one thing they would say you need to work on? – Asked by Apple
  1. Tell me a story – Asked by Celgene
  1. Please bring a toy with you and explain how this reflects you as a person or a part of your personality – Asked by Unknown

I’d love to hear if anyone has heard any others? What’s the weirdest question you have been asked or asked yourself!?!

And if you do happen to be in the market for a new job in the property sector, why not check out our latest opportunities right here.