Tag Archives: leasing job

Success Story: Sandy

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Hire Priority

Sandy5

Sandy’s success story is one of the best examples of hard work and skill paying off. For the past 33 years Sandy has moved up her career ladder with jobs in leasing, real estate and property management.

There are several common threads through these jobs: working with people, sales, and a fast-paced environment. These are all aspects that Sandy enjoys and excels at. Getting burned out in one area of sales is not a problem, as she can switch from doing real estate to leasing, or back again.

Sandy recently got back into the field of leasing when she started looking for an apartment job in Austin. After a recommendation from a friend, she called Hire Priority, who lined up several assignments for her.

After a short two months of trying out different properties, Sandy had found the “right position and the right company” that she wanted to work for. “It was a good fit right from the get-go,” she says.

Today, Sandy loves her apartment job, which allows her to continue with her passion for sales and people. Young, old, experienced, inexperienced—Sandy’s favorite part about her job is working with a variety of people that she adores.

With so much experience in the industry, Sandy’s skills are highly valued at her new position. Her ability to do sales, real estate, and leasing, along with her hard work, have driven her career to where she is now. “I am very pleased with the way things have turned out,” says Sandy.

 

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The Top 7 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Hire Priority

The Top 7 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

Job interviews are nerve-wracking. Even the most prepared of candidates can find themselves rambling or stuttering once they are face to face with an interviewer.

But no matter how nervous you get, there are many things that you should never say in a job interview. These phrases are automatic red flags to an employer, signals that they should move on to the next candidate as quickly as possible.

Especially in the case of apartment jobs, acing your interview is crucial. Leasing positions require candidates who are outgoing and able to communicate well. If you are committing the following faux pas in your interview, an employer is likely to assume you will make similar mistakes while on the job. Make sure to steer clear of the phrases:

 

  1. “I don’t like my job.”

Bad mouthing an employer or job will make you look unprofessional. If possible, try to maintain a positive attitude and avoid discussing situations where you may sound negative during your interview.

  1. “I can’t think of a weakness.”

Not being able to list a weakness when asked can come across as boastful. No one is perfect; and your employer needs to know how your strengths and weaknesses will fit with their team.

  1. “%$*@!”

Swear words should not be used when applying for a job…no exceptions.

  1. “I don’t have any questions.”

Not having any questions for your interviewer can rub them the wrong way. When an employer asks all of the questions and you have none in response it can look as if you don’t really want the job.

  1. “What position is this for?”

Make sure you have researched the company or property you are interviewing with, as well as the position, before your interview. If you have any uncertainty about which position you are applying for, it will be difficult to convey that you are right for the job.

  1. “Sorry, I am so nervous!”

Most people are nervous when they walk into interview, and your employer knows this. If you are stumbling for the right word or don’t know what to say, don’t use nervousness as an excuse; instead, take a breath and start again with confidence.

  1. “How much time do I get off?”

An employer will probably mention how many vacation and sick days you get, which means that you don’t need to bring it up first. Asking this question during an interview can give the impression that you are already looking for ways to slack.

Apartment jobs are competitive enough as is—don’t give yourself a disadvantage by letting one of these phrases slip during an interview. Not all candidates are aware of how these phrases can rub employers the wrong way; but making sure that you don’t say them will get you one step closer to landing the job.

Looking for an apartment job? Submit your resume for open positions in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

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Does Your Job Search Seem Never-Ending?

Posted on May 1, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

Never-Ending Job Search? Maybe You’re Making These Mistakes

 

Drawn-out job searches take a heavy toll, both emotionally and financially. The median time it takes to find a job today is 16.3 weeks, which is relatively high compared to a decade ago. What’s more, if you are unemployed for more than 6 months, studies have shown that employers are much less likely to consider your resume.

If your job search feels like it’s never ending, perhaps you are making one of these 3 common mistakes. Here’s what not to do and how to bring your job searching days to an end:

 

Mistake #1: You Don’t Know What You Want

Some applicants approach the job search process by applying to a wide range of jobs all at once, hoping that they will get lucky with one. This idea usually backfires, with the applicant not getting any responses.

If you know exactly what kind of job you want, you can spend your time becoming the perfect candidate for the position. For example, if you decide you want an apartment job, narrow down what part of town, what size property, and what kind of environment you want to work in. Once you know exactly what type of apartment job you want, hone your resume and skills to become what that position requires.

Not sure what industry you want to work in? Check out this handy guide on finding your dream job from Careerealism.

 

Mistake #2: You Aren’t Changing Your Strategy

If your job search is dragging on but you aren’t seeing the results you’d like, then it’s time to alter your strategy. Try changing up these tactics:

  • Write a new resume from scratch
  • Deliver your resume in person if you’ve only emailed it
  • Take a training course to learn new skills for your resume
  • If you don’t have a skills section on your resume, add one
  • If you don’t have a good cover letter, write one
  • If you do have a cover letter, give it makeover
  • Follow up with employers by emailing or calling to make sure they’ve received your resume

 

 
Mistake #3: You Aren’t Asking for Help

Networking is one of the most effective ways to find a new job; but you will never find a new job through your network if you don’t ask them. Family, friends, and social media are all good places to start letting people know that you are job searching. If you haven’t already, pick up the phone, send a few emails, or post a status on Facebook asking for some help.

 

The conclusion: Job searching for weeks or months can be a drag, but don’t let it warp your perspective. You will find a job eventually, and it’s okay to take a step back now to re-evaluate your strategy.

Now that you know the mistakes not to make, here’s what to do instead:

1.)   Figure out what you want from your job search

2.)   Change what isn’t working in your job search to reach your goals

3.)   Ask for help from your personal & professional networks

With today’s average job search times being so long, don’t stretch out the process more than it needs to be by making the above mistakes. If you aren’t seeing the results you would like from your job search, now is the time to shift your strategy.

Ask Hire Priority for Help! Submit your resume for a job placement or free resume consultation here and one of our offices in Houston, Austin, or San Antonio will contact you.

 

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My Story: Kristin

Posted on April 21, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

apartment job success story

Kristin Dumas, now a leasing consultant at The Meritage at Steiner Ranch in Austin, has a career that’s been on the rise and a bright future. What makes her so successful? She’s had a rising career in the apartment industry and a knack for sales, which holds a lot of promise for her in the future.

Since her first taste of apartment leasing years ago, Kristin has been drawn in and out of the industry. She got her break into an apartment job when she was encouraged to apply for a position at the apartment community where she lived. The woman who encouraged her to apply would end up becoming her mentor, and her leasing job would turn into her career.

After a brief break from the apartment industry, Kristin turned back to leasing through Hire Priority, while she was in school and looking for a part-time position. She went in and out of work as she needed it, and later applied for a permanent apartment job when the time was right.

Sales have always come easy to Kristin, and this is what helped her to walk on properties easily. ‘You can feel good about it at the end of the day,’ she says of helping to find people places to live. With all of the experience she has acquired, Kristin now works at a bustling, 500+ unit property in Austin. Kristin’s dedication and ability to thrive in this fast-paced environment have set her up for success as well as a promising future in the apartment industry.

 

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What’s Your Superpower: Finding Your Competitive Advantage

Posted on April 10, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

 

What’s Your Superpower?

Finding Your Competitive Advantage to Get Hired

In today’s competitive job market, standing out is essential to getting hired. One single open job can bring in countless applicants, piling up on a hiring manager’s desk and all looking the same. How can you stand out? If you learn how to work your competitive advantage you can be a manager’s pick over someone who has even more skills or experience. Here’s how:

 

Pick Your Strengths & Highlight Them

What’s your competitive advantage? Maybe you aren’t sure yet, or maybe you are new to the job search process—and that’s okay! Think of your strengths as the skills that have most allowed you to succeed.
Perhaps you are a persistent person, seeing projects through until the end when others have lost interest. Or maybe your strength is that you are detail oriented–always able to see the little things that others overlook.

If You Have Experience in the Industry:

If you have apartment industry experience, then your competitive advantage will be your experience and the parts of the job you are best at. Make sure to highlight these in your resume and interview, along with any special awards or recognition you have received. This doesn’t mean you have to toot your own horn; but when asked to discuss your experience, focus on where you have excelled.

If You Don’t Have Experience in the Industry:

If you don’t have apartment job experience—do not fear! You still have skills that are relevant. Perhaps you have worked in a sales job or another people-oriented position; and these will have equipped you with communication skills that apply to an apartment job. If you don’t have a set of professional skills to go on, perhaps you want to sell your competitive advantage as your hard work, determination, or passion to succeed.

Keep in mind: most job seekers will say that they are hardworking and motivated. Your competitive advantage will come when you can show in your resume or interview why you embody the strengths you claim to have. For example, it is not enough to just say that you are motivated. But if you can tell a story of a time when you had to accomplish something very difficult and didn’t give up then you will stand out as motivated.

Your competitive advantage is unique to you.

You know your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone, so when you think about what to highlight in your job application be sincere in what you are best at. Hiring managers can see through a candidate who lists a strength that they don’t show proof of. It will also be difficult to stand out if you try to emphasize too many strengths: they will just come out jumbled and you won’t be memorable.

 

Use Your Superpower…

If you haven’t done it already, take a moment to figure out what your competitive advantage is—the trait that would be your superpower if you had to pick. Highlight your unique strengths during the job search process and you will both stand out and convince a hiring manager that you are the one for the job.

Get started today by submitting your resume for a job placement: Apply now.

 

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