Apartment Property Manager, Leah Hackbarth

When Leah Hackbarth moved from California to Texas, she anticipated a strenuous yet rewarding job search. Equipped with five years of Yardi software experience and a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Leah believed her background would set her apart from other applicants. However, after a month of submitting countless job applications, attending interviews, and making phone calls, her search produced disappointing results. Frustrated by the process, Leah decided to widen her perspective and began searching online for temporary positions.

Turning Opportunity into Advancement

Although Leah had never worked with a recruiting company before, she decided to test her luck with temporary employment. “I called the [Apartment Staffing Division of] Hire Priority, and after my first interview, I received a temporary leasing consultant position [at a downtown Austin apartment community],” Leah said. Through her professionalism and strong work ethic, she quickly turned that temporary role into a permanent position. Before long, Leah was promoted to Assistant Property Manager. She credits her quick advancement to her diligence and reliability.

“Apartment communities often consider temporary employees for permanent assignments,” Leah explained, “and the best indication of a good employee is hard work.” Even if a temporary job doesn’t turn into a permanent one, positive word-of-mouth between apartment communities can strengthen your reputation within the Austin Apartment Industry. Leah’s advice to job seekers and temporary employees is simple: work hard, stay dedicated, and always go above and beyond expectations.

Finding a Lasting Career

After a long and challenging job search, Leah’s connection with the apartment industry through Hire Priority Austin became the turning point in her career. A year and a half after landing her first role, Leah remains passionate about her work. “I love my job now,” she said. “The daily interaction with people is exciting, and I get to help them with their move to the area.” Despite early setbacks, Leah refused to let frustration stop her progress. Instead, she took initiative, stayed committed, and ultimately found the career she had been searching for.