Summer property job hunting: Your complete guide to landing your dream role

Summer isn't just the season for holidays and festivals, it's also prime time for property professionals to make their next career move. With the industry experiencing significant growth and evolving demands, there's never been a better time to dive into property job hunting. Whether you're starting your career or looking to advance, this comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to succeed.

Why summer is the golden season for property jobs

Summer represents a unique opportunity window in the property industry, driven by seasonal market dynamics and hiring patterns. According to Blue Castle Agency, Summer is traditionally a busy period in real estate, with a noticeable uptick in seasonal and project-based hiring, particularly in property management careers, as leasing consultants, maintenance techs, and admin support staff are in high demand to support the summer rush.

The warmer months typically see increased property activity, with more people moving homes, higher rental turnover, and greater maintenance requirements as properties need to be prepared for peak usage periods.

Specifically in London, the summer months mark the busiest rental period in London. This is when students secure accommodation for their upcoming academic year, professionals relocate for new jobs, and families move before the start of the school term.

What does this mean for hiring? This surge in activity creates a ripple effect throughout the property sector, with companies expanding their teams to handle increased leasing, maintenance, and administrative demands, making summer an ideal window for job seekers to capitalise on both immediate opportunities and longer-term career prospects in a thriving industry.

Crafting a winning CV for property roles

Your CV is your first impression; make it count. In the competitive property landscape, hiring managers need to quickly identify candidates who understand the industry's unique demands and possess the right blend of skills.

Essential elements for property CVs

Professional summary: Lead with a compelling 3-4 line summary highlighting your property experience, key achievements, and career goals. Focus on quantifiable results like "Managed portfolio of 150+ units with 98% occupancy rate" or "Increased rental income by 15% through strategic pricing optimisation."

Core competencies section: Include both technical and soft skills relevant to the property:

• Technical skills: Property management software (Yardi, AppFolio, Buildium), CRM systems, financial analysis, lease administration, and tenant screening

• Soft skills: Customer service, conflict resolution, multitasking, attention to detail, communication

Experience with impact: Don't just list responsibilities, showcase achievements. Instead of "Responsible for tenant relations," write "Maintained 95% tenant satisfaction score through proactive communication and swift issue resolution, reducing turnover by 20%."

Education and certifications: Highlight relevant qualifications such as:

• Degree in Real Estate, Business Administration, or related field

• Professional certifications (CAM, CPM, ARM)

• Property-specific training programmes

• Any continuing education in property law or management

Technology Proficiency: Companies are increasingly seeking tech-savvy professionals who can navigate property tech platforms and bring digital efficiency to operations, with hiring now targeting candidates with digital marketing, CRM, and data analytics experience. Ensure your CV reflects proficiency with emerging technologies. You can read our full guide to improving your technology skills here.

Mastering property industry interviews

Property interviews across all sectors emphasise relationship management, market knowledge, regulatory understanding, and commercial acumen. Preparation is key to demonstrating you're ready for the role's diverse demands.

Common interview scenarios and how to handle them

Situational questions: Be prepared for scenarios like "How would you handle a client who's disappointed with a property valuation?" or "What would you do if planning permission was unexpectedly refused?" Structure answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), emphasising your problem-solving approach and stakeholder management skills.

Technical knowledge: Expect questions about market trends, property law, valuation methods, planning processes, building regulations, and sector-specific procedures. Review current market conditions, recent legislative changes, and industry best practices relevant to your target role.

Commercial scenarios: Property roles involve significant financial considerations. Prepare examples demonstrating your ability to identify opportunities, assess risks, and deliver value while maintaining professional relationships and regulatory compliance.

Questions to ask your interviewer

Showing genuine interest in the company and role demonstrates professionalism:

• "What are the key market challenges and opportunities the company is currently navigating?"

• "How does the company support professional development and RICS/professional qualification progression?"

• "What does success look like in this role over the first 12 months?"

• "How is the team adapting to current PropTech developments and digital transformation?"

For a full guide on unique interview questions you can ask, click here.

Virtual interview considerations

Many property companies now offer flexible working, particularly in valuation, research, and consultancy roles, with this adaptability being crucial for accessing talent across the UK's diverse property markets. Ensure you're prepared for virtual interviews with a professional setup, stable internet, and relevant examples that translate well to remote discussion.

Strategic networking in the property world

Networking remains fundamental for career advancement across all property sectors. The UK industry thrives on relationships, referrals, and reputation, making your professional network invaluable for discovering opportunities and advancing your career.

Building your professional network

Industry associations: Join relevant professional bodies:

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

• National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA)

• Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)

• Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

• Property Investors Network (PIN)

• British Property Federation (BPF)

Digital networking: Leverage LinkedIn effectively by connecting with property professionals, sharing market insights, and engaging with industry discussions

Property events: Attend sector-specific events like MIPIM UK, Property Week events, regional property forums, and local networking meetings

Networking best practices

Give before you receive: Share market insights, make introductions, and offer assistance before asking for help. This builds genuine relationships rather than transactional connections.

Follow up consistently: Maintain regular contact through brief check-ins, sharing relevant market reports, or congratulating connections on achievements and deals.

Be authentic: Focus on building genuine professional relationships rather than simply collecting contacts. Quality connections are more valuable than quantity.

Leverage existing relationships: Don't overlook current colleagues, university connections, or personal contacts who might have property industry links.

Taking action: Your career development strategy

Immediate steps

Update your CV: Incorporate the elements discussed above, ensuring it reflects current industry trends and requirements specific to your target property sector.

Research target Companies: The UK property industry spans residential and commercial estate agencies, property developers, investment firms, surveying practices, planning consultancies, and PropTech companies. Identify organisations that align with your career goals and values.

Enhance your online presence: Optimise your LinkedIn profile and consider creating a professional portfolio showcasing your property achievements, projects, or market analysis.

Apply strategically: With thousands of property roles available across residential sales, commercial leasing, development, surveying, and investment, focus on quality applications rather than quantity.

Long-term career development

Continuous learning: Pursue additional certifications and training to stay competitive in the evolving market, particularly around sustainability, digital transformation, and regulatory changes.

Specialisation opportunities: Consider specialising in high-growth areas like sustainable development, affordable housing, commercial real estate, PropTech, or niche sectors like student accommodation or industrial logistics.

Leadership development: As you advance, focus on developing management and business development skills to progress into senior roles or establish your own practice.

Conclusion

The current market presents exceptional opportunities for property professionals at all career stages across the UK. With industry innovation, regulatory evolution, and changing work patterns creating new possibilities, now is the time to take decisive action towards your property career goals.

The combination of strong fundamentals across residential and commercial markets, expanding opportunities in PropTech and sustainable development, and industry transformation means that well-prepared candidates can find excellent positions and build rewarding careers. By focusing on creating a compelling CV, mastering interview techniques, building strategic networks, and staying informed about market trends and regulatory changes, you'll be well-positioned to capitalise on current opportunities.

Remember, success in property job hunting isn't just about finding any position; it's about finding the right opportunity that aligns with your skills, values, and career aspirations. With the strategies outlined in this guide and the diverse opportunities available across the UK property sector, you're equipped to make your next career move a significant step forward.

The UK property industry needs talented, dedicated professionals to meet evolving demands and navigate ongoing changes across all sectors. By positioning yourself effectively and approaching your job search strategically, you can become one of the success stories shaping the future of the British property landscape.

If you are looking for a new role in the property industry, you can view all of our latest jobs here.

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