You also interact with many different people, so if you consider yourself a social butterfly and are interested in getting into real estate, this is an ideal position for you. The first step to getting a job in this field is creating a great property manager resume.
This is not always easy for everyone. We've created this guide to help you craft a resume that gets you your next job. Here are some of the areas we'll cover:
- A property manager resume example that's easy to follow.
- A list of skills that every property manager needs in their resume
- The best format for your resume
- The essential sections you should have in your resume.
Salary & Employment Rates for Property Managers
According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, the employment of property, real estate, and community association managers is projected to grow by 3 percent from 2020 to 2030.
The industries with the highest levels of employment in Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers include:
- Real Estate
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals
- Business, Professional, Labor, Political and Similar Organizations
- Employment Services
The average salary for a property manager is $104,000. The typical range is $91,000 to $120,000, depending on your education level, experience and skills.
How to Write a Job-winning Property Management Resume
Property management requires an individual who can multitask. This is because the job involves managing multiple properties and ensuring that all tenant complaints are catered to.
Your resume should show the hiring manager you have the required skills and experience to perform the job. If you have experience managing commercial or residential properties, this should be evident in your resume.
Each job is different, so tailor each resume to match the property manager job description. This also ensures that your resume gets past the applicant tracking systems.
Keep your resume short and summarize all your qualifications on one page. Hiring managers only have a few seconds to go over each resume and might not have time to read through all your information if it's more than a page.Resume Layout, Format, and Structure
The right resume format is essential because it ensures that your best qualifications come first. Here are three resume formats you can consider when creating your resume.
- The reverse-chronological format is perfect if you've worked as a property manager before. It focuses on experience and is also a favorite of most hiring managers.
- Functional format - This format focuses on your skills and is perfect if you recently graduated or are changing careers.
- Combination/hybrid resume format - This format is perfect if you have the perfect blend of experience and skills. It combines the best features of the reverse-chronological and functional formats.
The layout is another factor you have to consider. It should be easy to read and understand. Use a simple design and easy to read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Times New Roman, and Georgia. The font size should be 10-12pt.
The structure of your property management resume should have the following sections:
- The header section
- Professional summary/objective
- Work experience
- Education section
- Skills section
- An additional section (Computer skills and certifications, languages, awards/honors, and interests)
Begin with a Header & Contact Information
The header should have your personal details and contact information that the recruiter will use to reach you. Ensure that this information is accurate. These details include:- Your full name
- Job title
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Location
- A link to your LinkedIn profile.
A good header
Diane Jackson
Commercial Property Manager
927-338-038
dianejackson@gmail.comBedford, MA
linkedin.com/in/dianejackson
A bad header
Commercial Property Manager
927-338-038
dianejackson@gmail.com2156 Kennedy Court
House number 22
Bedford, MA
Date of birth 02/12/1988
linkedin.com/in/dianejackson
Photo or No Photo?
Your resume should only have a photo if the recruiter has requested for one. Otherwise, leave it out of your resume because it increases the chances of discrimination and unconscious bias.Describe Your Professional Experience
If you've worked as a property manager before, you'll add your employment history to this section. This allows the property owners or the hiring manager to see what you can do.
Always start with your most recent job and go backward. It's also better to prioritize the relevant experience and leave out any other experience not related to the job. Check out our resume examples and get some ideas on the best way to add your professional experience.
However, if you're writing an entry-level property manager resume, you can add experiences not related to the job if you gained transferable skills useful in the new position.
Here are the details that you'll add to this section.
- The name of the company
- Your job title
- The period you worked at each place
Competition is stiff for great jobs, so you have to do more to stand out. Add three to five job duties under each workplace and quantify them with figures and facts to show the results you could achieve for the company.
Example for Entry-Level Property Managers
Assistant Property Manager
January 2018-December 2020
- Produced reports detailing annual rent, operating expenses and real estate taxes.
- Supervised daily operations and managed a commercial building with 15 tenants ensuring operational compliance with industry standards.
- Conducted regular property inspections to determine needs for improvements and to schedule repairs as required.
Example for Experienced Property Managers
Senior Property Manager
June 2019-July 2021
- Created and implemented a property marketing plan for operations and reached out to prospective tenants.
- Collaborated with construction crews and contractors to complete maintenance and repairs to improve event space.
- Provided appropriate employees with updates, delays, and schedule changes for all construction and maintenance projects.
Give a Detailed Background of Your Education
Property managers can learn most of the skills on the job and don't require a degree to get a job. However, if you have a degree, add it to this section because this might tip the scale in your favor.
Always start with the most recent qualification and go backward. You don't have to add a high school diploma if you have a degree.The details you should add here include:
- The name of the degree/diploma
- The name of the school
- The year of graduation
Correct example
Temple University
2018
Property Manager Skills for Your Resume
Your skills are essential and play a major role in ensuring you land an interview. Hiring managers use ATS systems to check if you have the required skills and filter out resumes that don't have these skills.
Your resume should have both hard and soft skills. Check the job description and add the skills the recruiter requires to your resume. However, don't lie because you may be tested on it during the interview. Hard skills are teachable skills that might require some time to learn. Soft skills are character traits that you already have that help you interact well with people.It's advisable to list the skills using bullet points to ensure that the recruiter sees them easily. Check out our resume templates which will allow you to add up to ten skills to your resume.
Let's look at some of the skills you need on your property management resume.
Hard skills
- Accounts payable
- Vendor management
- Account Management
- Lead development
- Project management
- Marketing strategies
Soft skills
- Organization skills
- Multitasking
- Negotiation skills
- Leadership skills
- Time management
- Team player
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
A Professional Summary
A professional/resume summary introduces your resume by summarizing your achievements, skills and experience. This section comes right after the header and must be catchy and engaging to get the recruiter to read the rest of your resume.
Correct example
Incorrect example
A Property Manager Resume Objective
A professional/resume objective summarizes your career goals and shows the recruiter how they align with the company goals. It also allows you to express your interest in the position. A professional objective is perfect for recent graduates and career changers who don't have a lot of experience.Correct example
Additional Sections for Your Resume
The job market can be very competitive. An additional section on your resume allows you to add the extra qualifications that set you apart from everyone else.This section of your resume also highlights the qualifications you don't want the recruiter to miss. These qualifications could be what helps you beat the competition, so don't leave them out of your resume.
Here are some of the sections you can add here.
Computer Skills and Certifications
You may be required to operate property management software, so you need some basic computer skills. List them under this section to ensure that the recruiter doesn't miss them.
Certifications look good on your resume, so you want to ensure the recruiter sees them. They show that you have additional training in property management and can help you get ahead of your competition. Some of the certifications that will set your resume apart include:
- Certified Property Manager(CPM Designation)
- Residential Management Professional(RMP Designation)
- Certified Manager of Community Associations(CMCA)
Languages
Language skills always stand out on your resume. Hiring managers love a bilingual candidate, so they need to see this qualification on your resume. Use the official language reference as follows:
- SIELE for Spanish
- IELTS for English (with 30 points and above)
- DELF for French (with 70% and above)
Interests
The interests on your resume can make a difference and help you land the position. Research the company to ensure that your interests fit the profile and align with the culture. Your interests also allow the recruiter to know you better outside of work which is something some recruiters value and want to know before giving you the job.
Tips and Tricks to Enhance Your Resume
- Your resume should not be more than a page because most recruiters only have a few seconds to go through each resume.
- Get the right keywords and action verbs from the job description and add them to the resume.
- Optimize the job title with the right keywords and tailor it to match the job you're applying for.
- Choose a simple design for your resume and ensure it's easy to read and understand.
- Avoid using one resume for multiple applications and create a new resume for each job you're applying for.
- Proofread your resume before sending it to the recruiter.
Summary: Key Points for Writing a Perfect Resume
- Start your resume with a catchy resume summary/objective that will get the recruiter's attention.
- The details in the header must be accurate.
- Choose the right format for your resume.
- Detail your work history in the work experience section and quantify your results with figures and facts.
- Add your educational qualifications in reverse-chronological order.
- List your skills using bullet points and separate the hard and soft skills.
- Include an additional section with your extra qualifications.
Write a Cover Letter That Goes With Your Resume
A cover letter that complements your resume completes your application. It describes your qualifications in detail and shows off your writing skills. It also allows you to inject some personality as you give more information on the achievements that make you the best candidate for the job. If you struggle with writing one, check out our cover letter examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Glassdoor, companies hiring property managers include:
- Cushman and Wakefield
- JLL
- Greystar
- CBRE
- Public storage
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Lincoln Property Company
- FirstService Residential
A bachelor's degree in any of these fields is suitable for property managers
- Property management
- Business administration
- Real estate
- Finance or accounting
- Public administration