What property recruiters want from graduates

Property recruiters assess would-be graduate surveyors by testing the soft skills that are required for the job (as well as questioning your motivations for applying to the job and to them). Competency-based interviews are common, so it’s essential that you have good examples of when you used skills.

How to become a commercially aware property graduate, by Jones Lang LaSalle

This doesn’t just mean knowing the mechanics of the job. A commercially aware graduate has thought about how wider business and economic conditions affect the property industry and the needs of clients. Shelley Frost, MRICS, international director (corporate solutions) at Jones Lang LaSalle, points out: ‘The best candidates consider this not only from a real estate market perspective, but also think about how it might make a difference to the service we provide to clients and the way we earn our fees.’

TARGETjobs tip: Follow a piece of business news (for example, stories around a particular retailer) and think about how the news will affect its property portfolio. Is its online business doing better than its in-store business? Will this mean that they in future they’ll need more warehouses and distribution centres and fewer stores?

How your communication skills are assessed, by Capita Symonds

‘You’ll encounter people from different backgrounds and need to communicate your opinions and the views of the company you work for coherently,’ says Alex Glendinning, learning and development manager, at Capita Symonds. ‘In the application process, we look for candidates who successfully answer the questions asked rather than what they think is being asked. We also look at how candidates interact with other applicants and employees at interview.’

TARGETjobs tip: Don’t copy and paste answers to questions from one application form to another, even if the questions appear similar on the surface. This is a guaranteed way not to answer the question. You can use the same example, but write your answer from scratch.

How to show off your attention to detail, by BNP Paribas Real Estate

Accuracy and attention to detail are important attributes for a career in property: submitting an inaccurate business report to a client would be a huge mistake. Kim Brumley, resourcing manager (associate director) at BNP Paribas Real Estate, points out: ‘A job application requires the same level of accuracy as a business report, as this is one of the ways we assess your attention to detail.’

BNP Paribas’ tip: ‘Ask a friend or family member to check your application; those with errors or omissions will slow down the recruitment process, as we will have to contact you to clarify information.’

How recruiters gauge your drive, by Knight Frank

‘Being driven is one of the essential competences we seek, as this ensures that individuals go the extra mile, challenge the status quo and have a healthy competitive nature,’ says Louise Saunders, recruitment manager at Knight Frank. ‘We look for evidence of this via interviews that assess behavioural competences, and we also require examples of candidates being driven in their personal and work lives.’

TARGETjobs tip: Being driven is about having the ability, focus and stamina to work towards a goal over a period of time. Examples can come from any area of your life, not just your course – anything you achieved, which required you to maintain motivation. Taking part in a sponsored charity activity could be a good example to use.

Why relationship-building is essential in a property career, by Lambert Smith Hampton

Property is a sociable profession and a service industry: forging good relationships with clients and other contacts is essential for keeping existing and acquiring new business. Keith Jones, HR director at Lambert Smith Hampton, defines the qualities marking a candidate’s potential in this area: ‘We are looking for well-rounded graduates who realise the value of forging relationships and who demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing.’

TARGETjobs tip: Pack your CV with examples of when you got involved in group activities and, at assessment centres, be sociable: get involved with group activities, chat to other graduates but don’t shout over anyone.

Time-saving trick: create a database of transferable skills

It might seem boring, but it will save you a lot of time later. Sit down with a large sheet of paper and decide on some major headings, such as ‘academic life’, ‘work experience’, ‘travel’, ‘leisure’, ‘voluntary work’ and ‘extracurricular activities’. Write down your experiences and achievements under each category. Then next to each experience and achievement write down what you contributed and learned, and the skills you developed.

What other skills do property firms look for?

• What other skills should you demonstrate for a graduate job with BNP Paribas Real Estate?
• What attributes do Cushman & Wakefield seek from graduate applicants?
• What competencies does the graduate recruiter from Gerald Eve look for?
• What other skills should you show off in a graduate application form for Jones Lang LaSalle?
• What other competencies will get you a job with Knight Frank?