Do you work (or want to) in the real estate industry? Have you updated your resume lately?
Property developers and managers possess a unique set of skills that few other professions can boast. These skills may go unnoticed unless properly displayed in a comprehensive resume.
Core competencies for real estate professions include:
- Organizational Leadership
- Project Management
- Business Development
- Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Construction Management Services
- Maintenance and Repair
- Communication Skills
- Sales and Marketing
Real Estate Project Managers and Developers
Real estate project managers develop and run real estate projects, including residential and commercial sites. Their primary duties include:
- recommending building sites
- assisting with securing project funds
- designing the structure
- managing construction
- managing a team or construction workers throughout the process.
Successful real estate project managers possess qualifications such as:
- Real Estate Development Expertise
- Analytical Thinking
- Business Administration
- Leadership Skills
- Construction and Design
- Building Systems Knowledge
- Human Resources
Most project managers have an advanced degree in architecture, business or a similar field. While the role of a project manager can vary from site to site, managers are typically responsible for ensuring construction is completed on-time and on-budget. If your position in real estate development wasn’t quite as hands-on, the focus on your resume may be geared more to the business and marketing side.
Real estate developers tend to do more work behind the scenes at the beginning of the project. A project manager is typically hired by the developer in the early stages to assist with design, budget, and construction ideas. As a real estate developer, you may choose to focus more on your business-related skills, such as:
- Budget Development and Management
- Human Resources
- Communication
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Marketing and Sales
- Building Code Compliance
- Community Development
Property Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for property managers will grow by 10% in the next seven years. Employment opportunities in this area are most prominent in California, Florida, Texas, Illinois and New York. Commercial property managers earn a median wage of $58,670 per year ($28.21 per hour).
Property managers perform a number of tasks such as:
- offering advice about potential mortgages for landlords
- establishing rental rates
- helping to secure occupants
- cleaning units after renters vacate (and everything in between).
As a result, the ideal property manager candidate will possess strong business administration, marketing, communication, maintenance, enforcement, and organizational skills. When highlighting experience in these areas, candidates should use the following terminology:
- Contract and Lease Negotiations
- Business Development/ROI
- Market Research and Analysis
- Safety and Building Code Compliance
- Budget Development
- Communication and Conflict Resolution
- Building Maintenance and Repair
- Enforcement of Policy and Procedures
Whether your expertise is in direct property management, real estate project management, or real estate development, your resume should reflect your knowledge. Using key terms is important for recruiters. Your word choice can make the difference between landing your next job and watching as someone else steals it out from under you.
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Guest Blogger: Lucy Wyndham is a professional freelance writer, editor, and 
mother of two, who decided to take a step back and work from home after spending a decade working in the finance and health industries. You can reach out to Lucy at lucywyndham.writer@gmail.com
