Let’s face it, it’s not 2005 anymore. As most of the print and broadcast news stories have reported, real estate is having a difficult time rebounding from the economic slump. Buyers are trying to get approved for financing and sellers aren’t getting the full value for their home.
As a sales-driven profession, the real estate industry can be rewarding when the commission check is ready and challenging and often frustrating when dealing with cantankerous clients. For real estate professionals who have had even a couple years of experience, updating their resume and opening themselves to other career opportunities is a smart move. For those who haven’t shopped their resume around in a long time, here are few tips to get you started:
- Do Your Research
Taking the leap from real estate to another profession may be scary for some people, but most individuals make a few career changes in their lifetime, so don’t feel alone. Whatever your reason for wanting to leave real estate (i.e. dragging sales or loss of interest), there are dozens of career websites to peruse to get a feel for what you might want to do next. What do you like to do when you’re not working? Now may be the perfect time to turn that hobby into a full-time job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) is an excellent resource for reading about typical job duties, educational requirements, career projections and salary. - Take Personal Inventory
In order to apply for a new position, it’s important to capture your skills. Are you an excellent project manager or salesperson? Do you have experience in marketing or web design? Take about 60 minutes to think about your accomplishments and past responsibilities. Skills like sales, customer service, marketing and experience in specific computer programs are applicable to many positions. That list will be used to customize your resume for the job that you want. - Make the Tough Call
Have you ever read a job description and thought, gees if I only had that degree or those skills, I’d be perfect for that job? Sometimes when that dream position comes along, we’re not always ready in the education or experience department. If that career path is what you’ve always dreamed of, then it may be time to enroll in school and build those skills so that you can apply confidently. Online forums and feedback from friends and family members may be helpful in learning more about the career that you are seeking. - Preparing Your Resume and Cover Letter
There’s nothing that hiring managers’ hate more than generic resumes’ and cover letters. After accessing your skills and deciding on a career path or position, look online at other resumes to see what you’re competing against. It’s also helpful to do a generic search for the job title you’re applying for to see what other employers require. Build your resume and cover letter around keywords found in those job descriptions. Another tip, which is not always easy to do, is to list your accomplishments instead of your job responsibilities. If you increased sales by 10%, negotiated $5 million homes or received accolades based on performance, make those accomplishments shine. - Ready, Set, Apply
So, you are firm that you want to change careers and you found a position that sounds just like you. Be sure to read the job description several times to make sure that you are qualified and double-check the fax number or e-mail address. Gone are the days where you can “fake it ‘til you make it”, so apply knowing that you presented your best self. Good luck!
Kellye Fox is a freelance writer and real estate broker in the Chicagoland area.
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