500 Resumes Just Arrived…Which One Is The Property Management SuperStar?

by Ernest F. Oriente, The Coach

Finding a new SuperStar for your property management company is never any easy task, especially in our current economic climate.  In addition, a recent article published by the Society of Human Resource Management {SHRM} says,  “over 50 percent of the information presented on a resume by a job candidate may be false or misleading”.  In this article we will share some important tips and techniques for reading resumes, the most important first step for finding property management SuperStars.

Sorting the resumes:  Resumes will generally arrive by mail, E-mail or fax.  Start by sorting these resumes into three stacks.  The “A” stack will include resumes from potential SuperStars who will attach a customized cover letter.  This cover letter will address you personally and will often include specific references to the advertisement you placed.  The “B” stack will include resumes from possible SuperStars who will only attach a generic cover letter.  The “C” stack will include those who will just send a resume and represent the least likely group to contain a SuperStar.

Setting up your system:  Purchase an 8 ½ x 11 “flat desk file” with A-Z tabs.  A flat desk file looks like an accordion file, except it lays flat on your desk and can be easily carried with you.  Use your A-Z desk file to store the resumes of potential new SuperStars, sorted by last name.  When a person returns your initial telephone call or arrives for their first interview, you will now have their resume right at your fingertips. 

Tips for reading a resume:  Here are some key questions to consider when reading a resume:

1. What city/state does this person live in?  How long will their commute to work be?  If this person does not live locally, how long will it take for them to acclimate professionally and personally?
2. Does this resume include an E-mail address?  Does this resume portray a person who is technology savvy?
3. How many companies has this person worked for in the past five years?  Are the companies related?  Any time gaps?
4. What skills and experience can this person bring to your property management team?
5. Does this resume include specific and measurable achievements?
6. Does this resume include any information regarding ongoing training and/or certifications?
7. Does this resume include any information about professional and/or industry affiliations?
8. Does this resume have any spelling or grammatical errors?

Tip From The Coach:  In addition to the questions above, ask yourself the following questions while reviewing each resume:  Does this person have experience working with consumers?  Does this person have a sales/service background?  Does this person have experience developing relationships?

Conducting a telephone interview:  Select the best candidates from the resumes you have been sent and schedule a ten minute telephone interview with each person.  During each call, ask the following questions:  “Are you currently employed?  Why are you leaving your current employer?  What is the ideal position you are looking for? Why should you be the person selected for this position?  What are you currently earning?”  Take written notes during each phone call and listen carefully to this person’s telephone voice, their attitude, and how close their ideal position matches the position you have advertised.  Financially, your advertised position should be within 15-20 percent of this person’s current income.  Lastly, give each person homework or research to complete, prior to their first interview with your property management company.

Want to hear more about this important topic or ask some additional questions about how to read a resume?  Would you like to see a sample of a world-class resume? Fax a note on your letterhead to 435-615-8670 or send an E-mail to ernest@powerhour.com and The Coach will fax/E-mail you a free TeleForum invitation.

Author’s note:  Ernest F. Oriente, The Coach, is founder of PowerHour^®, a professional business coaching service and has spent 8,800 hours delivering customized training, by telephone, in leadership, tradition/Internet marketing and sales for property management companies, apartment locator/corporate housing services and publishing companies worldwide. We specialize in global distance learning by telephone, using our state-of-the-art conference call system for interactive and dynamic TeleForums. Twice-monthly TeleForums link 10-100 executives/professionals/individuals who are geographically dispersed, in a time efficient and profitable format. PowerHour^® is based in ski-town—Park City, Utah, at 435-615-8486, by E-mail ernest@powerhour.com or visit our TeleForum website: http://www.coachingsuccess.com.  To receive a FREE property management success newsletter send an E-mail to: ernest@powerhour.com.  Recent PowerHour^® articles have appeared in 2000+ business/trade publications and websites.

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