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How to have a successful property interview

June 24, 2022

Congratulations, you’ve secured an interview for your dream property role!

Now the hard work begins, interviews can be stressful but with our top tips, we aim to make it an easier process for you.

Take a look at our top tips to acing an interview in the property sector

What to do before an interview

Prepare

As the famous saying goes, ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. Preparation in advance of an interview is incredibly important, you need to feel as prepared as you possibly can for any questions you might be asked and any questions you want to ask.

Think about how you will answer the typical interview questions that are designed to trip you up – what is your biggest weakness, tell me about a time you failed etc. If you are going for a property sales role, make sure you have your stats and KPIs memorised.

If you have been asked to complete a task in advance, such as giving a presentation during the interview, run through it multiple times so you are confident when delivering it.

Towards the end of the interview, you will be given time to ask any questions you may have. Always have 5-6 questions prepared as some of these will be answered throughout the interview, and you want to aim to ask at least 3 questions. Remember you are interviewing them as well, they need to find the right person for the job and you need to find the right company for you so keep your questions relevant to what you actually want to know.

Research

Make sure you research the company prior to the interview, the interviewer(s) will want to see how much interest you have in not just the role but the company as well. Not researching the company beforehand, can show the interviewer(s) that you are not interested in their business.

Plan

If you are having a face-to-face interview, plan your journey beforehand – if you are driving check the roads and give yourself plenty of time in case of traffic and make sure you know where to park, if you are using public transport check your times and consider getting the earlier train/bus in case of cancellations or delays.

If you are having a video interview, plan where you will sit during it. Make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection and that there are no distractions behind you.

What to do during an interview

The golden rule is to turn up early, but not too early! The sweet spot is turning up around 10 – 15 minutes early – this gives the interviewer time to prepare and you to compose yourself in the environment. It can also give you a good insight into how the office works.

Stay Engaged

It might seem obvious but stay engaged throughout the interview. Keep eye contact with the interviewer(s) while they are talking and keep your body language positive – don’t cross your arms for example as this can show you as not being interested.

Take Notes

Bring a notepad and pen with you so that you can take notes throughout the interview, you may want to refer back to them afterwards and can show that you have a real interest in the position. You can also keep your questions written down for you to refer to during the interview.

Take your time

If you need to think about your answer to a question that is fine. The interviewer would rather you think about how you will answer rather than blurt out an answer that hasn’t been thought through. Take a drink of water while you are thinking so that you have a natural pause.

Bonus Tip: Follow up with the interviewer(s) afterwards, sending a thank you email can make a real impression.

Interviews can be daunting but if you are working with a specialist property recruitment agency, like Ambitious Group, we will talk you through each step and are there to give impartial advice throughout the recruitment process.

If you are looking for your next property, surveying, construction and conveyancing job, we are here to help! Get in touch with one of our specialist recruiters or follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news, views and jobs.

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