What do you do if your corporate real estate interview requires a different set of skills?
You've landed an interview for a corporate real estate position, but you're not sure if you have the right skills for the job. Corporate real estate is a complex and dynamic field that requires a combination of technical, financial, strategic, and interpersonal skills. How can you prepare for an interview that might test your abilities in different areas? Here are some tips to help you ace your corporate real estate interview, even if it requires a different set of skills.
Before you go to the interview, do some homework on the company and the role you're applying for. Find out what kind of projects they work on, what their goals and challenges are, and what their culture and values are. This will help you tailor your answers to their specific needs and expectations, as well as show your interest and enthusiasm. You can also use this information to ask relevant and insightful questions at the end of the interview.
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Before your corporate real estate interview, research the company and role to tailor your answers accordingly. Understand their projects, culture, and challenges to show alignment and enthusiasm. Highlight transferable skills and ask insightful questions to demonstrate readiness and adaptability.
Your resume and portfolio are your first impressions to the interviewer, so make sure they highlight your skills and achievements in corporate real estate. Review your resume and portfolio carefully and update them if necessary. Focus on the results and outcomes of your previous projects, not just the tasks and responsibilities. Use quantifiable metrics and examples to demonstrate your impact and value. Also, be prepared to explain any gaps or changes in your career path.
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Ensure your resume and portfolio highlight achievements in corporate real estate with quantifiable results. Regularly update them, address career changes transparently, and seek feedback for improvement, ensuring you present a compelling and accurate portrayal to interviewers.
Depending on the role and the company, you might be asked to perform some technical tasks or answer some technical questions during the interview. These could include analyzing financial statements, creating cash flow models, evaluating market trends, or using software tools. To prepare for these scenarios, brush up on your technical skills and knowledge. Review the concepts and formulas you learned in your education or training, practice using the software tools you're familiar with, and study the latest industry standards and best practices.
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Prepare for technical tasks in corporate real estate interviews by reviewing relevant skills and formulas, practicing software tools, staying updated on industry trends, and seeking additional training if needed. This ensures readiness to tackle any technical questions or tasks effectively.
Technical skills are important, but they're not enough to succeed in corporate real estate. You also need to have strong soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills are essential for building relationships, managing projects, resolving conflicts, and driving change. To showcase your soft skills during the interview, use the STAR method to tell stories that illustrate how you used these skills in your previous roles. The STAR method consists of describing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of a specific example.
Finally, the most important thing you can do to ace your corporate real estate interview is to be confident and adaptable. Confidence shows that you believe in yourself and your abilities, while adaptability shows that you can handle different situations and challenges. To boost your confidence, practice your answers, dress professionally, and maintain eye contact and a positive body language. To show your adaptability, be flexible, open-minded, and willing to learn. Don't be afraid to admit your weaknesses or ask for clarification if you don't understand something.
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Companies are increasingly interested in hiring good humans. Having a business team made of people who have integrity, strong work ethic, … can be more productive than a team that is strictly made up of skilled individuals. Find ways to express your values and character in the interview process.
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