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By attaining professional designations, certifications and professional recognition, an individual is demonstrating a knowledge base that advertises their status as an achiever with the dedication to succeed in their industry. Having letters such as CPM, ARM and CAPS after their name on a business card is a clear statement of purpose. It advertises the person as having achieved industry standards by an external organization and been awarded with a recognized. It acts as a testimonial and gives credibility to the bearer.

In addition to industry designations, professional development can also take many other forms including: company sponsored training, online courses, webinars, and offerings from the local NAA Affiliate or IREM Chapter. Regardless of the source, it is essential to learn about your business every day and to take advantage of every industry related educational opportunity that is available. Learning from the experts is a shortcut to sharpening your skills.

It is true to say that the generation before us enjoyed much greater job security than we do. Many individuals could expect to stay with the same company throughout their careers and to work their way up in a steady career progression, often based predominantly on seniority. It was common practice for companies to operate a ‘Last in, First out’ policy when reducing headcount. This had advantages in providing job security, but it also constrained new thinking and new ideas.

For better or worse the concept of a ‘job for life’ with employment security and a structured career ladder typically no longer applies. Many employees will transition between several careers during their working lives. A commonly held belief indicates that an individual will change careers roughly five times during their lifetimes. With the pace of change it is easy to believe this. Ten years ago we had not heard of Facebook, iPods or Google and a large number of jobs currently being actively recruited for did not exist e.g. Search Engine Optimization Manager, Content Manager, Patient Advocate and Virtual Assistant.

From the perspective of many employers, ongoing training and continuous professional development are now essential to ensure that their business is up-to-date and retains a competitive edge. As an employee, your enthusiasm for seeking out professional development opportunities aligns yourself to that way of thinking and tells a prospective employer that you are dedicated to the property management sector and are open and willing to continually develop your skills.

Cultivating a love of learning and a willingness to apply it are two of the most effective behaviors you can adopt to drive your career forward. By learning new things every day you will help yourself to stay at the forefront of industry trends and technological advances. This will help keep your skills relevant and competitive – and do the same for your business.

If you stop learning, you will stop innovating and if you stop innovating, you will stop advancing. And in business, companies that stop progressing soon begin to stagnate. Even the best of organizations need to keep developing because the world around us continually changes and what is true for the world is also true for business.

Companies that are constantly developing will overtake their stationery counterparts. And what is true of companies is often true for the individual in the workplace. The majority of roles and industries are subject to change and the individual who decides to stop developing will be eventually be overtaken by those colleagues who have embraced their development. This is mainly a question of attitude and desiring to develop. Everyone can learn to improve how they do things. It just takes willingness.]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/536/3587.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/536/3587.page GMT
I have been unable to find like research on the other states. How does your company define its managers?Does the terminology stem from company preference or they guided by Real Estate Commission guidelines or perhaps another commission? ]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/528/3551.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/528/3551.page GMT know the business of property management , I am very confidence in my job duties and abilities.

How do I gain employment at a higher level in the property management industry when I have proven my capabilities in exceeding employment position as property manager?

How do I reposition my career in another field ? If so, which employment fields will be best attributes.?
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To give you a bit of background on myself:

31 yrs of age
Education - Attended Wichita State University, obtained a BBA - Major Marketing with Real Estate Emphasis - Minors in Econ & Mgmt
- Worked as a Commercial Appraisal intern during College for a Summer (Appraisal bores me so that is out, I think I fell asleep nearly everyday staring at the computer screen...ha)

Have worked in the insurance industry since the age of 24 as an Insurance adjuster for Autos (basically anything that moves, cars, trucks, semis, RV's, motorcycles etc)

Am currently working for my 2nd Insurance employer, will have my 5 year anniversary date this August
I work independently from home for my current employer
(Im a staff employee, however for all intents and purposes am considered a resident employee working from my home, so day to day everything I do is fairly independently based)

For the past 5 years have co-owned but 100% manage one investment property (a duplex) in the city I reside in, plus own my own home, have owned a home since the age of 24 and am pretty proficient at a lot of home remodeling projects.


So with a little bit of my background out of the way, to sum myself up, Ive always considered myself a jack of all trades and master of none of them. For example, working in the insurance industry I know how your car will be repaired, but you dont want me repairing the body work....I know how and approximately what the cost of a tile job would be for your kitchen, but Im probably not the most skilled at actually laying the tile, I know how and the approximate cost of building a deck, but someone else is definitely better at performing the work than me.

I love to think and analyze and have always wondered what would be a good job fit for me, so far I have narrowed it to a few fields in the real estate industry, but I wish to narrow it further and possibly get some tips on some steps I can take to make a career switch next year. I wanted to stick with my current employer for at least 5 years to have some stability and to be fully vested in their retirement program which is excellent.

Some barriers that may limit my choices are:

I dont particularly want to pick up and move from Wichita, KS where I reside, however for the right price and opportunity I would. (Personally Im not married and no children so a move would be possible) However Id be limited in the fact that like most places in the US, the real estate market is very slow here and it would take a while to sell my house (im not upside down) but would love to get at least all of the hard money Ive spent on the property back after realtor fees and It'd probably be pretty difficult to sell my rental duplex.

The only places Id consider relocating are within KS, Nebraska and a high preference towards the desert Southwest -- Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico (Love outdoor activities, in particular hunting so that must be close by)

That being said Im willing to be patient for the right opportunity as my current job is not that bad, I just dont particularly get any satisfaction out of it and would love to do something that is more rewarding and fitting towards my attributes. One thing Im struggling with is currently Im at a point where I have some money saved up that I could probably purchase another income producing property, however if I do that I figure Im marrying myself to my current job a while longer (a couple years at least) till the new purchase has had some time make a solid income stream and make me feel secure enough to risk getting a new job.

Some Job descriptions Ive contemplated

--Commercial property manager (ie manage strip centers, a hospital, office buildings, etc)
--Project manager for a Developer (Ive figured this would be extremely hard to break into, but the idea of
it sounds interesting, Id consider myself a mini project manager working as a claims adjuster, however
I find it difficult explaining and relaying that to someone who has never worked in the field)
--Commercial Brokerage - Like the idea of it, however from all my research it seems that I should expect to
make no money for 2-3 years, I dont have 2-3 years salary saved and I guess I dont like the idea of not
having health insurance etc for an extended period of time
--Residential Property Management - very low on my list but for the right fit I might consider it

Or do I roll the dice, bet the farm, place all my money on black and try to purchase an income producing property such as a Hotel?


My end goal is to own multiple income producing properties, duplexes, purchase or build a strip center, and simply manage them myself, however on a salary of $45-50k a year I find that difficult to save up enough money for down payments etc, but have been doing so, just at an excruciatingly slow pace.

Maybe Im jumping the gun and should not look to switch career if my end goal is to own properties myself and live off the income stream....Since High School Ive had a goal of making my living off of investment properties, be it a car wash, strip center, duplex etc...so it was a big triumph for me to finally save up enough money to purchase my 1st duplex.....Thoughts?

Ive learned something from every job Ive had and in the next step I take Id like it to be a learning experience that prepares me for future endeavors.]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/505/3451.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/505/3451.page GMT
I am interested in utilizing a combination of work experience and skills to hopefully find an entry-level property or facilities management opportunity, and would be grateful for your feedback on whether my background is considered strong for the industry. I am still working towards my degree, but would prefer employment before that is complete.

Here is my general background:

- Residential broker associate.
- Residential and commercial property inspector (up to 1,000,000 sq.ft)
- Commercial HVAC service management with full P&L accountability.
- Commercial HVAC preventative maintenance service contract sales to major corporations.

As you can see I have a good real estate background, strong knowledge of building systems and components, contract negotiations, relationship building and retention skills with financial accountability.

Once again, thank you in advance for your comments.


Erol Kartal


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I have already managed to make some in-roads in taking over the management of a small commercial building on my own. I could do this and keep my current job while building a fledgling management business. I know it would be better if I were to land a job with a stable local company, but can not afford a huge pay cut.

Just wondering what those who are established in the business, or perhaps have been through a similar situation might have to say.

Thanks for your input!]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/399/2893.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/399/2893.page GMT
I'm currently an active real estate agent and would like to get into Property Management with large multifamily apartments or other retail/commercial PM. I'm not looking to replace the existing companies, I'm interested in working for them. I have taken the 4 courses required for the ARM Certification (just need to take Ethics and pass the test to complete) and I believe I have all the skills necessary to at least be an Assistant Property Manager or similar type of position.

My real concern has to do with the salary levels of entry-level Property Management positions. It seems to me that without many years of hands-on experience in a large multi-family complex it would be very difficult to find an entry-level position that can compensate someone like myself with a family to support. It really seems to be geared for someone just starting out in the workforce and will be moving up over time. Is this an accurate view of Property Management positions?

Does anyone have any ideas how someone with years of other experience (including real estate sales and some single-family homes/condo/townhouse property management) can move into larger multifamily PM and make a reasonable salary? I'm not looking to bypass the system because I do want the experience, but I think with my current skills, knowledge, and work ethic I should be able to perform at a higher level than someone just starting out.

I'm thinking it might be best to try to find a part-time PM position. This way I would gain some experience while still selling real estate during the rest of my time. I've even thought about interning or volunteering for free a couple of hours a week at a local apartment complex as some sort of assistant or admin-type. Any thoughts on this?

Who are companies looking for?
I've also been applying locally for PM and other positions that open up. So far I haven't had any calls. My resume shows over 10 years experience in the IT industry (technical and management), 5 years residential real estate sales, marketing, and property management on a small scale, and other experience. I've been applying for PM, Assistant PM, leasing specialists, and other similar positions but have gotten no calls. Anyone have advice on what and what not to include in a resume for one of these positions? Does the fact that I'm a licensed agent have any positive or negative impact?

Thanks for any replies an input!
Pete]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/395/2884.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/395/2884.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/384/2840.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/384/2840.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/349/2643.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/349/2643.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/333/2560.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/333/2560.page GMT http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/294/2274.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/294/2274.page GMT
I have been an Assistant Community Director for nearly two years. In one week, I will be interviewing for a job as a Property Manager. I know the budget is a big thing at this employment level. And suggestions on what I need to study or review to prepare for my interview and for this position?

Thanks!]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/126/623.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/126/623.page GMT
I am a couple years out of high school and aspiring to enter the property management field. I'm clueless as to what the first steps should be. I have experience managing one rental property (single family home), but I do not have a bachelor's degree or employment experience. Thus, the firms I have applied to do not even look my way.

Should I just keep sending resumes, hoping to land an assistant manager or leasing consultant position? Or should I turn my focus back to school and get my bachelor's degree? Should I start by completing the CPM coursework?

As you can see, I'm as clueless as it gets, so any professional wisdom would be greatly appreciated. ]]> http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/122/609.page http://www.iremfirst.org/jforum/posts/preList/122/609.page GMT I am exploring to make a career change to become a property manager. I am hoping someone can provide me with some insight to being a property manager.

[b]1-[/b]What are the pros and cons of being a property manager?
[b]2-[/b]What is the job outlook for a property manager?
[b]3-[/b]Where can I get trained as a property manager?
[b]4-[/b]What does an employer look for when hiring a property manager?
[b]5-[/b]What skills do I need to have in order to be a successful property manager?
[b]6-[/b]What is the salary range (from entry to seasoned) for a property manager?
[b]7-[/b]Any other advice for a newcomer?

Appreciate the help.
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