Your commercial real estate resume is like a property description: it provides vital statistics, highlights outstanding features and downplays any weaknesses in an attempt to pique the interest of the right investor. Except, in this case, the investment is in you. Remember that commercial real estate firms receive resumes all the time from individuals who are attracted to the career’s potential to earn big money, so make yours stand out or risk getting passed up.
Emphasize Relevant Skills
Employers often hire agents with little to no commercial real estate experience. To get your foot in the door, tout any skills or specialties that can easily transfer to this industry. For example, many jobs involve some aspects of sales, marketing, cold calling or networking, all of which are critical duties of a commercial real estate agent. Even seemingly menial tasks like conducting office tours, working with databases, pitching ideas or giving presentations can show a firm that you can easily transition into the commercial world.
Provide Measurable Results
It’s easy to note on your resume that you were an outstanding car salesman at your last place of employment, but this tells a firm little about your potential or ambition. Use quantifiable data instead to prove what you actually accomplished. Instead of filling your resume with empty adjectives, note how much your sales volume increased over a given period of time.
Highlight Achievements
Not all business triumphs are measured in numbers. Mention special projects or high-profile clients you have worked with. List any instances in which employers counted on you to lead the team, woo a client or take others under your wing. These tasks show that you have the leadership, flexibility and team-making abilities to be a successful agent.
Market Yourself
A commercial real estate resume needs to reveal your skills and your confidence. After all, if you can’t sell yourself, how can a firm trust you to sell a building? A confident resume is concise, but full of actionable phrases that tell an executive how other companies benefited from hiring you. You should also mention how you have benefited from past positions, and how these benefits can work to a new firm’s advantage.
Show Likeability
An agent must be able to obtain, maintain and retain clients for herself and her firm. Though one’s personality usually comes across in the job interview, your resume has to get you that interview in the first place. Therefore, it’s important to show that both colleagues and clients enjoyed working with you. A resume that cites consistently high client survey scores, major in-office awards, and significant referral or retention rates can prove that you are a loyal, trustworthy employee and service provider.