To take on a landlord’s job is not an easy feat. The role entails several duties and responsibilities that can become a bit overwhelming. Some landlords or property owners opt to hire other people to take care of some of their tasks. One example is hiring leasing agents, such as yourself, to do the marketing and tenant screening.
Hiring a leasing agent will lessen the landlord’s activities. But before they hire you, you have to go through the process of employment. One part of which is the interview. Every applicant must comply with this because it is when the employer will know more about you. The good thing is you can prepare for the interview because some questions are standard. You have to know these questions so that you can prepare and ace the interview.
Did you encounter any challenges or successes in the last 12 months?
You might have had a few bad months in the last year, but that could happen to anyone. Landlords ask this to check the agent’s status and movement of their work with the clientele. Do not deny having any challenges because the landlord might think you are lying and not being realistic. You should also avoid blaming other people for your difficulties and talking bad about previous brokers.
Being self-aware of your lapses and how you are willing to improve yourself will leave a positive impression.
What is your current market?
The landlord would want to know this because he will assess which areas need an agent. Putting an agent in the same area as another agent will only cause unhealthy competition. The landlord may also want to expand to other places.
What is your marketing approach, and is it successful?
Marketing the property is one of the most crucial parts of the rental business. The landlord would want to know how you advertise and its success rate. They won’t hire someone who does not know the first thing about marketing properties. It’s a good thing we have Padleads to help us on this. Padleads lets you create property listings online, and you can syndicate them to other websites. The landlord will be very impressed that you keep up with the trends and technology.
Have you undergone training or continuing education in the past year?
You probably have the licensure and certificates already, but you should not stop there. Landlords will appreciate an agent who continues to learn new things. It will also show them that you are competent and equipped with vast knowledge. You can try to take up courses or seminars on financial planning, marketing, business management, and many more.
Name the biggest challenge you have encountered as a leasing agent. How did you overcome it?
Nobody has a perfect career record. Everyone has their bumps along the way, and those are the things that will help you improve. If the landlord asks this question, you should answer honestly and tell him how you conquered the challenge.
Landlords will find it hard to believe if the agent will answer that he never had any challenges. They will also assess the way you handled the situation. They want someone who will keep their calm during a crisis and will solve the problem effectively.
Did you work well with your past clients?
Most landlords, if not all, will look for client feedback. They would want to know if your past clients were satisfied with the service they received. You can present client testimonials if you have any. Landlords look for someone with experience and a good track record. Having a third party validate your work will solidify their impression of you.
What are your plans for your business in the coming years?
Being a goal-oriented agent is an advantage. The landlord will see you as someone who will work hard to improve and achieve more things for your business. It will also imply that you want to avoid being stagnant.
There you have it. The top questions landlords may ask you during an interview. Your answers to these questions will give them an idea of who you are as a professional. Sometimes the question and answer session can either make or break an applicant. But I won’t worry if I were you. You’ve got this.