Meet One of Building Careers’ Consultants: Julia Turpit

Meet One of Building Careers’ Consultants: Julia Turpit Read More »
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, there was a renewed call for diversity and inclusiveness in CRE. It’s clear there is no more room for inequality and exclusivity in our country and in our industry. And fortunately, many leaders in commercial real estate are showing us the way forward.

When the recent protests over inequality flared up, Bisnow reached out to racial minorities to discuss diversity and inclusiveness in CRE. Leading the way, the popular industry news journal opened up a much-needed dialogue with the racial minorities working in CRE to better understand how they feel and what solutions to pursue. The responses provide a unique snapshot and roadmap for improving diversity and inclusiveness in the CRE industry.
First, they asked how it feels right now to be a racial minority in America and in CRE. While some responded with frustration that this even had to be a topic, many others expressed hope that this time was different. Many feel positive change is in the works – not only for commercial real estate, but the nation at large.
Next, they asked what CRE leaders can do to bring about a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Helpful responses poured in. A common response was to praise the various programs and organizations pushing for inclusion, like:
But the primary response was to stress the importance of awareness and dialogue. We cannot pretend diversity and inclusiveness in CRE are not real and valid concerns. Leadership in this area requires meeting the issue head on and then working on ways to solve it.
Bisnow’s project is not the only example of leadership on this matter. There are other notable members of our industry making firm commitments to diversity and inclusiveness in CRE.
The commercial real estate industry has a spotty track record on diversity and inclusion. But there is hope for the future. As leaders rise to the forefront and make the case for a colorful and varied industry, others are listening and following in their path. We can no longer pretend away this problem. But through tackling it head on, we can find creative and enriching solutions for a more colorful and expansive CRE.
The Need for Diversity and Inclusiveness Leadership in CRE Read More »
In just three weeks, more than 16 million Americans have lost their jobs, and before the coronavirus pandemic fades, many millions more will become unemployed. And that leaves many with only one critical tool to recover their career: network during a pandemic.
To be sure, the normal routes we used—in-person meetings or coffees and networking events—have vanished. Here’s a sobering stat: until COVID-19, event planners were putting together more than 5,200 meetings a day, each with more than 10 attendees. And while the odds of hearing responses to new LinkedIn connections were never great, they are even tinier when people holding jobs are in turmoil themselves
Nonetheless, experts say there are still a host of systematic approaches to remind the business professionals you know that you’re around—and letting others realize you exist. But it’s all different in the era of COVID-19. And trickier. Here are some thoughts on how to network during a pandemic:
Networking is often done over coffee or during breaks at a conference, but meeting people in person is almost impossible at the moment. But instead of just settling for a phone call, experts say networkers should set up video chats to actually see each other. The video calls can make it easier to establish a connection and be authentic—especially with a new person.
Nobody should start a network conversation with “I need a job.” Successful networking is about building relationships, experts say.
It can start with making a list of the possible things you can do for people in your network. Perhaps you can make a connection to an important partner in someone’s field. Or point to a little-noticed but important new research paper. Even small things, experts say, if done sincerely and are genuinely meaningful to the other person, can jump-start your networking.
Read More: https://www.kornferry.com/insights/articles/job-networking-search-coronavirus
Contact Us: https://www.buildingrecareers.com/contact
Contact Carly Glova: CGlova@BuildingRECareers.com
How To: Network During a Pandemic Read More »
To be really effective in your job, you need to know why and how to praise others for their good work. You need to know the importance of employee recognition.
Employee recognition is the timely, informal or formal acknowledgement of a person’s or team’s behavior, effort or business result that supports the organization’s goals and values, and which has clearly been beyond normal expectations. To be fully successful in the workplace at any level, you need to understand the psychology of praising others for their good work, to apply the principles of employee recognition yourself and to encourage others to initiate it in their working relationships.
Appreciation is a fundamental human need. Employees respond to appreciation expressed through recognition of their good work because it confirms their work is valued by others. When employees and their work are valued, their satisfaction and productivity rises, and they are motivated to maintain or improve their good work. Gallup studies show employee recognition is the key factor influencing employee engagement, and therefore organizational performance.
Employee recognition is the principle of social proof in action, a term pioneered by social psychology professor Robert Cialdini. He defined the principle in this way: “We view a behavior as correct in a given situation to the degree that we see others performing it.” Employee recognition embodies the principle by showing to others in a tangible way that a person’s efforts have been outstanding.
Yet Gallup analysis in 2016 found only 1 in 3 US workers strongly agreed they had received recognition or praise for doing good work in the past 7 days. Gallup consultants recommend that recognition should be given weekly in broad terms to those who deserve it – and in a timely way so the employee knows the significance of their recent achievement and to reinforce company values.
Contact Us: https://www.buildingrecareers.com/contact
Contact Carly Glova: CGlova@BuildingRECareers.com
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Looking for a job can be a bit like dating. It can be easy to go online and find a match for a first date, but what happens after that is what matters the most. Will that first date (or first interview) turn into a long-term relationship? Or is it going to be a bust?
Job searching can be hard work. It’s not just a question of finding a job – any job. It’s important to find the right job, a job that is an excellent fit for you now and for the future, either as a stepping stone for your career or as an opportunity you’ll be comfortable with for the long haul. If it’s the wrong job, you’ll end up having to start a job search all over again if the position doesn’t work out. Besides it being stressful, you’ll need to avoid being considered a job hopper when writing your resume.
Because job searching is time-consuming, as well as hard work and because it can be even harder when a job doesn’t work out and you end up quitting or getting fired, it’s best to spend your time trying to get it right from the time you start job hunting. Here are five secrets to finding a job you’ll love.
Before you start your job search, spend time making sure you’re looking for the right job. If you’re not certain about what you want to do, take a career quiz or two to generate some ideas. If need be, get career coaching or counseling to help get you on the right track. Use the job search engines to search for jobs that are a match for your skills, experience, and interests.
Don’t just apply for the job. Take it a step further. Use your connections on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other networking sites to discover whom you know at the company. Ask them for insight and information on the company, in general, as well as about the job. Your contacts may also be able to provide you with a referral for the position. Check out the company’s LinkedIn page and social media profiles to gather information.
Read More: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-tips-for-finding-a-job-you-will-love-2060996
Contact Us: https://www.buildingrecareers.com/contact
Contact Carly Glova: CGlova@BuildingRECareers.com
5 Secrets to Finding a Job You’ll Love Read More »
It’s one of the biggest work at home conundrums. You finally found a job that you love that will allow you to work from home or you’ve been working from home due to the Coronavirus. You imagine how much time you’ll save from not having to commute into an office, how much money you’ll save by not having to pay for said commute (and office wear and fancy lunches), and how productive you’ll be with all that extra time not having spent stuck in traffic.
Thing is, your work life and your personal life can easily become one big mélange of misery if you don’t try to set boundaries. Here are a few tips in which you can separate work and life during COVID-19 when you work at home.
It may seem unnecessary to have regular office hours when you work remotely. After all, isn’t the point of having a flexible schedule that you can work flexibly? But if you start and stop your workday at various times throughout the day, it can wreak havoc on your productivity. Instead of getting more work done effectively, you’ll find yourself working much longer than you need to, often when your kids are home from school or even later into the evening. So try to keep a consistent schedule, and then allow for interruptions or breaks as needed.
You’re prepping dinner and you have your laptop open on the counter at the same time. While you might be tempted to scan your work emails as you’re tossing the salad, you shouldn’t. It’s imperative to establish boundaries when you work from home. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself working 24/7. So make every effort to be present in your life, whether you’re trying to finish up a big project or if you’re having a conversation with your 10-year-old. Setting boundaries will ultimately make you a better, stronger, and happier worker and person.
Dirty dishes. That mound of clean clothes that have to be folded and put away. When your home and your office are one in the same, distractions are plentiful, even more so than if you worked in a traditional office. If you don’t ignore the distractions, though, you’ll find that you’ll get far less work done. So as much as you’d like to have a totally clean house, you’ll need to block the mess out of your mind until you’re done with your work for the day.
Read More: https://www.workflexibility.org/separate-work-life-when-you-work-at-home/
Contact Us: https://www.buildingrecareers.com/contact
Contact Carly Glova: CGlova@BuildingRECareers.com
Tips to Separate Work and Life During COVID-19 Read More »
Unforgettable Interview Thank-You Letters
Sending a thank you letter after an interview might seem old-fashioned, but it’s just as important to write one as ever. One survey from TopResume showed that 68 percent of hiring managers say that a candidate’s decision to include or not include a thank you note after an interview affects their final hiring decision. But while sending a thank you note has become expected, it’s not enough to simply send a note that says “Thanks for chatting with me” — you need to put some thought into it. In this guide, we’ll show you how to write a thank you note that will impress interviewers and increase your odds of getting a job offer.
The Timing of Writing a Thank-You Letter
Writing a thank you note to your interviewers shows that you are gracious, humble and thoughtful — all important qualities for potential new hires to possess. That’s why you should write a thank-you letter after every interview within 24 hours. You don’t want to risk having recruiters or hiring managers think that you’re cocky, ungrateful or absentminded.
People You Need to Write a Thank-You Letter For
In general, it’s a good idea to share a thank you note with everybody you interviewed with individually, from recruiter to hiring manager to potential colleague. If you don’t already have their contact info, request it from your main point of contact throughout the hiring process (likely the recruiter), explaining that you’d like to thank them for taking the time to speak with you. If you had a panel interview, you might want to save your time by sending one email to the main interviewer with everybody else CC’d.
If you spoke to many different people — say, you presented to a room of 10 or more — it’s probably not practical, or a good use of your time, to include each and every one of them. In this case, you can follow the same procedure you would in a panel interview: Send one note to the main interviewer with several of the key players CC’d.
Learn More: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/how-to-write-a-thank-you-letter/
Interview Thank You Letters: A Beginners Guide on How to Write One and When Read More »
So you’re considering jumping ship and working for a new company – but what about that non-compete agreement you’ve signed? Perhaps you’ve been offered the perfect position as a resale coordinator, builder liaison, or broker. The role and location are precisely what you want for your career and your family. But there’s those nagging questions: is it worth the risk of legal hassle? Is your contract even enforceable? How should you proceed?
First of all, like all legal matters, there’s no way to know without consulting an attorney. So talk with an attorney who handles non-compete agreements and get legal advice before proceeding.
But as executive search consultants in the commercial real estate industry for many years, we know a thing or two about non-competes, too. And here are some important points you should know.
Don’t be flippant about violating a non-compete. It is a contract, and you can be held liable for its terms. Proceed with caution.
Besides, as a CRE professional with integrity, you want to be a man or woman of your word. Review the terms of the agreement and understand just what you may or may not do.
While “reasonable” is subjective and differs from state to state, generally, this kind of contract is only considered reasonable according to three criteria:
While most states tend to be lenient with employees, some states go so far as to consider a non-compete agreement as null and void. Fortunately, California is one of those states.
California employers may protect company secrets if they can prove they are proprietary, but competition is not restricted. If your employer is in California, you probably weren’t required to sign a non-compete to begin with. And if you were, it’s almost certainly unenforceable.
If you’re in an area where a non-compete agreement is legal, and you’re unsure about its reasonableness or enforceability, communication is key. Talk to your prospective employer before you defect, and show them the contract. They may be able to design your role in such a way to preclude a lawsuit or potential violation of the agreement.
Talk to your recruiter. Executive search firms are adept at handling objections like these and helping you avoid pitfalls – especially recruiters who specialize in CRE and know the employment rituals and rules for your industry front and back.
Navigating these troubling times can be treacherous, so go with a firm whose expertise you can trust and rely on. They can be your advocates and advisers through each step.
What If I’ve Signed a Non-Compete Agreement? Read More »
Financial recovery won’t be businesses’ only concern when they begin to reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ll also be tasked with making customers feel safe coming to their offices and stores again. Magnolia Bakery in New York City for example will ask customers entering its shop to walk through a cleansing chamber, The Wall Street Journal reports. Patrons will be “bathed” in ultraviolet (UV) light for 20 seconds, which is safe for humans, but lethal for viruses and bacteria. Columbia University has tested the far-UVC light on 100 hairless mice for almost a year with no ill effects.
Customers can expect these types of precautions as businesses attempt to curb people’s fear of going into buildings. Prior to the pandemic, people did not give crowding into places like offices, schools, retail shops, restaurants, sports arenas and gyms a second thought. Now, it will be up to building owners and operators to assure people it’s OK to do so again if they want customers to return in pre-COVID numbers.
Here are some technology solutions and interventions that building owners are putting to making their buildings safe again for patrons to visit and shop.
Indoor air has become more polluted than outdoor air in a lot of cities during the last few decades, The Great Indoors author Emily Anthes wrote. The drop in inside air quality is partly due to efforts to make buildings more energy efficient. In doing so, some buildings have become, “sealed tombs” that don’t have much outdoor air exchange.
It is possible to for a building to absorb more outdoor air without sacrificing energy efficiency. Engineers didn’t put these measures into practice because they require more design effort and equipment than just recirculating air. Installing filters that can catch small particles, even as small as the Coronavirus, so air ducts are not transmitting re-circulated virus-laden droplets on people as they walk by is another way to improve in-building air quality.
Learn More: https://blog.thebrokerlist.com/measures-cre-owners-can-take-to-make-their-buildings-safe-again/
How CRE Owners Are Making Their Buildings Safe Again Read More »
There’s no denying that the past few months have been hard on commercial real estate. But where do we stand now? What will post COVID CRE hiring look like in the months ahead, as we rebuild and move on? Are we getting back to business as usual? Is it a total loss? Or can we expect a little of both?
According to many experts in commercial real estate, the COVID-19 crisis created a mixed bag of both challenges and opportunities. There’s plenty of bad news, but also a lot of good.
If you make a living in the CRE field, you may be wondering what hiring will look like now that everything has changed. Let’s open up that mixed bag, and see what the future may hold for the industry.
The hiring freeze that occurred this spring was unprecedented. Employers laid off millions of workers, and the US unemployment rate hit 20% in April. According to data from Indeed, job postings are lower this year by nearly 34%. The biggest hit sectors were tourism and hospitality, which were devastated by the lockdowns. Retail is hurting, too. Many believe the US is falling into a deep recession at this very moment, and that the rest of the year will be rather bleak.
But in the commercial real estate sector, it’s not all bad news.
While most companies have reduced new hires, others are looking for new talent to help them navigate a difficult market. This is the time for talented professionals and innovative leaders to thrive.
Respondents to the Spring 2020 NAIOP CRE Sentiment Index provided a slightly negative outlook on a handful of CRE fundamentals, except for employment within their own firms, which they expected to remain consistent.
Also, there is now more opportunity for contract and remote-work positions than before. Self-starters and entrepreneurial talent will have more value in the coming workplace. Post COVID CRE Hiring will be much more flexible. Of course, relationships and networking will remain the currency of the realm.
In a recent BisNow interview, real estate consultant, Bernie Ocampo, predicted there will be greater demand for some CRE markets like distressed investments, asset management, accounting, and property management. CRE professionals in these areas can expect a competitive hiring field. Ocampo pointed out that, while assets may change hands, there will always be a need for management of those assets.
So some sectors are definitely hurting, while others will be in greater demand than before. But will hiring overall rise or fall in the months and years ahead? In the BisNow article, Jana Turner a principal for RETS Associates, reported her hiring has continued strong. And she believes the long-term projections for Post COVID CRE hiring will rise after a brief pause, stating:
In the last recession, hiring was slow. Here, companies have not canceled searches. Many are just on hold…Retail will definitely be getting hurt but there are a lot of deals out there.
Indeed, there are deals to be made in the new CRE landscape. The future of CRE hiring is to be found in the rising demand for multi-family housing, high-value real property. There will likely be higher vacancy rates and some stalled construction, but some markets may actually experience higher levels of construction and demand. Jobs will be created especially in lease negotiations, legal services, special servicing, and appraisals.
In spite of all the doom and gloom in the news, there is reason to believe the outlook for post COVID CRE hiring is not crashing, but merely changing.
Post COVID CRE Hiring: Good, Bad, or Ugly? Read More »