Tom Tauli offers us an interesting post discussing what some may consider to be the controversial standpoint of the weekly Barron’s publication that the real estate industry could be looking at a turn around and recovery beginning later this year.
Tom points out a couple of encouraging signs if nothing else, definitly worth the read.
To view this post, click here.
The strength of the region’s economy, a lack of new rental units being built, and high gasoline prices, are three reasons offered to explain why San Francisco’s rental market has continued to climb even as the for-sale housing market in the area continues to go downhill.
To view article, click here.
How do you research a potential employer?
Northborough, MA, July 23, 2008 – I recently wrote a short news release titled “How to Research a Candidate,” offering employers techniques and strategies to successfully research background and experience of potential hires. The article was well received, and spawned an intriguing suggestion: provide the same advice for candidates to research a potential employer.
As an executive search consultant for the real estate and construction industries, I understand that the importance to research a hiring firm often equals that of researching a candidate. All facets of a firm’s reputation have significant influence on the ability to attract top talent, including informed decision making by a candidate during the offer stage. These strategies are similar to how a firm would research a candidate.
So what should a candidate look for? Here are a few tips:
1. Network. When considering a potential employer, ask trusted peers in your network what they’ve heard about the company. Often you’ll find that within your network is somebody who knows an employee at the firm, which could lead to valuable insight.
2. Technorati, Digg, and Reddit. The internet can be as powerful as any investigative tool for candidates, as it is for managers and recruiters as long as you know where to look and what to look for. Websites such as www.technorati.com, www.digg.com, www.reddit.com, and even something as simple as a Google keyword search can lead to valuable sources of information to see what people in the industry are saying. Such information can give you a better idea of how the firm treats their employees, what their reputation among both their competitors and business partners alike is, and how business is going overall. This can also offer valuable insight to such red flags as high turnover rate—often the sign of an unhappy workplace.
3. LinkedIn. Online social networks such as LinkedIn can be valuable sources of information in regards to the company itself. Many firms have seen the value in such networks and will create user-friendly networking pages for all to view their projects, revenue, number of employees and, in some cases, who their employees are and what growth potential these employees have experienced with the firm.
4. Ask the “right” questions. Remember, during the interview you are interviewing the potential employer as much as they are interviewing you. Do your research prior to the interview and go into the meeting prepared with whatever questions you have. Come prepared with questions. Have a planner to list these questions for easy reminder, and to take notes.
5. Verify credentials. Research specific projects on which a potential employer has worked. Talk to current or past clients if you can. Look for testimonials that merit not only the work but also the work mentality of the company. While this may sound like it requires in depth investigative reporting, verifying these credentials can often be done with ease using the internet. In fact, many firms list the names of clients as well as testimonials from those clients on the company website.
About MorganSullivan: MorganSullivan is a strategic ally to its clients by way of its dedication solely to the Real Estate and Construction industry. Its expertise is in identifying and recruiting top-notch technical and business development personnel to fill critical positions for its clients.
If you’d like to hear more about his topic, please contact John Rainone, Project Operations Manager, at 508-393-4933 extension 12 or via email at JRainone@MorganSullivan.com.
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Attention Real Estate professionals. Have you ever tried to persuade a CEO to lease space or are you a development manager trying to persuade planning board officials to favor one particular point of view over another.
As recruiters serving the real estate industry, we’re constantly trying o persuade real estate professionals to leave one position in favor of another.
Guy Kawasaki has a good post on his blog referring to an expert on the powers of persuasion.
A very interesting article out of the Detroit area that might just give us some explaination as to why their seems to be so many conflicting reports from around the country as to how home sales are really doing.
To view article, click here.
