Interest in a career in real estate remains strong despite tougher market conditions, with 73 people attending a Barry Plant Docklands & Yarra’s Edge Careers Night despite heavy rain.
Held in partnership with Entry Education, the Melbourne event attracted prospective salespeople and property managers looking to learn more about licensing, career pathways and opportunities to enter the industry.
For Sales Director Alice Geddes, the event also marked a full-circle moment, with her own real estate career beginning after she attended a careers night nine years ago.
Alice believes more difficult market conditions can provide new agents with an opportunity to develop skills early in their careers.
“I think this is the best time to learn,” she said. “How many skills and how much knowledge are you going to be able to build in a tough environment?”
“You have to have a different skill set when things get tough,” Alice said. “It’s the best time to enter.”
The strong response to the Docklands event comes as Barry Plant Warragul-Drouin has also reported increased interest in its recent recruitment drive.
Director Candice Hill said the office recently advertised for a junior property manager and a routine inspection manager, receiving close to 50 applications and filling both positions within the first week.
A vacancy would typically attract about 30 applications, with only three or four candidates genuinely qualified, according to Hill.
“We really listened and engaged with our current staff about what’s important to them, and then tailored those ads around what we’re able to offer, including the flexibility within our workplace,” she said.
The office offers work-from-home days, flexibility around family commitments and ongoing training, while Candice said the business had also recorded two of its best-ever months, including an all-time record in July.
“I think the media tends to hype up a lot about, you know, it’s a downturning market,” she said. “So yes, the market has dipped a little bit. Are we selling fewer properties? No, because we’re able to adapt.”
Candice said responding to changing conditions rather than waiting for the market to improve had been central to the office’s approach.
“You can be one of the agents that waits and hopes that something will happen, or you can be the agent that learns, trains, adapts and pivots.”
Warragul-Drouin is continuing to expand across sales and property management and is in the process of purchasing a new building to accommodate its growing team.
Candice the underlying demand for real estate services remains straightforward.
“People still have to sell. People still need somewhere to live.”