Tips for Hiring Your First Assistant
Here's one of the most powerful strategies for growing your real estate business, especially for business owners and agents when hiring their first assistant: hiring a versatile team member who can do it all—your very own Swiss Army Knife.
Hire a "Swiss Army Knife": Look for someone who can handle a wide variety of tasks. You don’t necessarily need a top-tier salesperson at the start, but you do need someone versatile. This person should be able to manage admin, communicate effectively with clients, assist with sales, and generally know the ins and outs of the business. Their value lies in their adaptability.
Promote from Within: Often, the best candidates for a team manager or operations role are already in your business. They may have started in reception or a sales support role, learning the business from the ground up. These individuals have gained critical experience in both the operational and sales aspects of the real estate industry, which gives them a unique perspective and ability to support the business as it grows.
Avoid External Corporate Hires: While corporate experience can be valuable, many external hires from corporate environments may lack the versatility needed in a real estate office. They often come with specialised, narrowly focused experience, and may need more time to adapt to the fast-paced, multifaceted nature of a real estate business.
Look for Strong Admin and Communication Skills: Individuals with strong administrative skills and good communication abilities, who aren't necessarily aiming to become sales agents, often make excellent operational managers. They can handle the backend tasks that help your business run smoothly, while also providing valuable support to your sales team.
Recognise Growth Potential: Many operational managers start in junior positions and grow within the business, learning different roles and responsibilities along the way. Recognise the potential in employees who are eager to learn and contribute beyond their current job description. Their diverse experience will make them invaluable as your business scales.
By hiring strategically and investing in the development of versatile team members, you'll build a solid foundation for your real estate business to thrive.