With the curtain closing on the college experience, now is the time for college seniors and recent graduates to consider their job prospects and take steps toward landing their first role in commercial real estate (CRE) — an industry that helps communities and their economies thrive.
The good news is that grads can get started in the industry even without having majored in real estate, finance or adjacent fields, said SelectLeaders Associate Director of Recruiting Katie Hart.
“If you don't have a CRE internship on your resume, or you haven't landed a job yet, there’s no need to worry,” she said. “There are still plenty of ways to build your case for getting into the industry.”
Students and recent grads can start by looking into their school’s career services and alumni network, and talk to professors. These resources can help point toward who in the industry to connect with or nail down the list of courses or transferable skills that can be spoken about during a job interview.
The next steps for applicants, she said, is to focus on the aspects they have control over: attending networking events or writing about skills and interests that can be relevant to CRE on LinkedIn, including analysis, project coordination or leadership roles in school organizations in the resume.
One important step for job seekers is to create a profile on SelectLeaders and fill out the required fields, upload a resume and search for open roles by specialty, sector and geographical region on the CRE-focused job board, Hart said.
Learn more about how to approach job-hunting this school year with tips from SelectLeaders.
Think Outside The Box
A career in CRE is not limited to students who majored in real estate, business, finance or accounting. Hart said having soft skills such as analysis, negotiation and relationship-building can help provide a pathway to the industry.
“You shouldn’t box yourself in one area,” said SelectLeaders Senior Corporate Recruiter Brittany Acosta. “Consider what skills you possess and what you’re interested in, and how both can translate into a career in CRE.”
SelectLeaders career path guides provide information on different industry fields and the soft skills and knowledge base needed to succeed in those fields.
When applying for jobs, she advised against sending a resume to every open position a company may offer, as it signals a lack of direction. Also, taking a job that pays well, but doesn’t offer growth opportunities or promotions, could be limiting. Instead, college seniors should narrow their options down to one or two paths and plan for long-term growth, she said.
Build Confidence By Getting Out There
Acosta said that attending a job fair or a CRE-focused event with a room full of strangers can feel intimidating. Making connections, however, can help put a face to the name and stand out among other applicants for the same role.
Attending a Bisnow event gives students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and gain insight into the latest CRE trends and market/asset class updates.
Hart suggested for college seniors to research companies whose mission, vision and values as well as open roles align with their goals before attending an event. That way, when they connect with people who work there, they can ask specific questions about company culture, what a typical day in the role looks like and what career progression tends to look like.
Coming prepared with those questions helps students stand out and make a real impression, rather than just introducing themselves.
Mentoring is another way to build connections; however, rather than asking mentors for jobs, students should learn more about what skills and experiences are needed to land the role they want, Hart said. Another approach is to ask mentors what they did in their career to get to where they are now.
“You have nothing to lose but everything to gain,” said Bisnow and SelectLeaders Account Manager Jermaine Jackson. “It’s worth it to put yourself out there, practice your elevator pitch and discover what path might be good for you.”
Upskill Through Classes And Real-World Experiences
SelectLeaders Corporate Recruiter Molly Barbino said that students can seek out learning experiences and specialized certifications targeted for their desired career path.
She said having knowledge of Microsoft Excel is helpful for different areas of CRE and will especially come in handy when budgeting, calculating a company’s profits and losses or tracking assets. ARGUS Enterprise is a property valuation and cash flow forecasting software often used in the acquisitions and development fields. Students vying for a career in construction would benefit from having familiarity with Procore project management software and Bluebeam construction software. All of these software programs offer certification programs.
Students can build skills and gain experiences through Bisnow workshops and internships. Most helpful are those that offer a deep dive into CRE terminology and how the industry operates, Hart said.
The SelectLeaders team emphasized the importance of bringing one’s authentic self and experiences into a professional setting, and looking for ways to stand out. While college seniors may not have all the answers for their career path at the beginning of the year, it’s never too late to plan for the future, Hart said.
“You don’t want to lose what separates you from the competition,” Acosta said. “Showcasing your personality, having an intelligent conversation and articulating what makes you a good fit will go a long way.”
