As a property manager, you take care of rental properties for the owner, whether that owner is a sole-proprietor or a large corporation. You may work directly for the owner or through a property management company. While your duties may encompass maintenance, usually, you would contract that work out and are primarily responsible for making sure it is completed on time, within budget, and to the correct level of quality.
Responsibilities and Education
Most property managers spend their time interviewing and managing tenants, collecting rent, handling the property’s budget, and maintaining records. If you wish to become a property manager, you should become familiar with your state’s licensure requirements. Some states require property managers to be real estate brokers or have a separate property management license. Many property managers have degrees in business administration or real estate or take courses in related areas.
Soft Skills
One of the most important soft skills for a property manager is a high level of integrity; you will be dealing with financial matters and handling other people’s money. Excellent customer relationship skills are essential for keeping tenants happy and de-escalating situations that might otherwise lead to a legal battle. You should also be able to recognize when a situation is outside your sphere of property management, and you need to consult with legal, financial, and other experts or the property owner.
Your Resume
A resume that reflects your background and skills in all those areas is easier to write if you have previous property manager experience. Still, many other careers are an excellent starting point for property management. For example, you may start out as a facilities manager for a company, a real estate agent, an interior designer, a renovator of homes or businesses, or an owner of your rental properties.
In that case, your property management resume must show how your previous experience is relevant to your new career. By keeping in mind the requirements of a property manager, you will focus your resume on past achievements that demonstrate the hard and soft skills most valued in a property manager.
If you need help updating or framing your property management resume, please contact Robin’s Resumes®.