Top 25 Property Manager Interview Questions
1. What factors are crucial within an organization and must be present for you to work most effectively?
Professional Answer
List of Property Manager Interview Questions
- What factors are crucial within an organization and must be present for you to work most effectively?
- How have you improved as a property manager over the years?
- Describe how you motivated a group of people to do something they did not want to do.
- We currently have 10 percent vacancy. How will you try to fill those spots?
- How did you handle a recent situation where the direction from above was unclear and circumstances were changing?
- When you believe an unethical issue is occurring, how do you react?
- When have you had contractor disputes? How do you handle them?
- Describe to me the last property you managed. What did you find to be successful during that period, and what did you find that you or the company did that was unsuccessful?
- Has there been an occasion when you refused to bow to a customer's pressure to 'bend the rules'?
- Rate your management skills on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 representing excellent management skills. Provide three examples from your past work experiences that demonstrate your selected number is accurate.
- What is the most challenging thing about being a manager?
- What action would you take if you joined the company?
- Describe a scenario where you had to balance competing customer demands with project constraints. How did you ensure customer satisfaction while maintaining the goals of the project?
- What methods have you found successful in determining the priorities when you start in a new facility?
- What was the most challenging space you've had to lease in the past? What made it a challenge?
- Describe a recent project where you were responsible for managing multiple people or teams. What were some of the key challenges and how did you handle those challenges?
- Tell me about a time when you experienced a major change to your normal work practices. How did you handle it?
- Describe the work environment or culture and its management style in which you have experienced the most success.
- What is your definition of empowerment?
- What do you know about our organization?
- Give me your best talent or skill that makes you a great property manager?
- What process have you used to screen potential tenants in the past? Go through the process you had with me.
- Tell me about a time when you influenced the outcome of a project by taking a leadership role.
- If I were to interview the people who have reported to you in the past, how would they describe your management style?
- Tell us about an innovative idea/change that you implemented. Was it or was it not successful?
- Describe a time when you had to balance quality management with a challenged project schedule.
- Describe a time when you implemented a new idea without being asked or pursued a new opportunity that could improve the building.
- How do you perform when others need your guidance in a building crisis?
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict on the job.
- What is the largest building, space, that you have managed?
- Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.
- Tell me about a time when you were particularly effective on prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule.
- Have you ever discontinued service with a vendor or contractor? How did it go?
- How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our property?
- Why are you leaving your current/last job?
- What job duties would you like to avoid if at all possible?
- What do you do when priorities change quickly? Give one example of when this happened.
- How do you reward employees?
- What experience do you have handling tenants?
- What is the salary that you expect?
- What is your definition of Quality Assurance (QA), and who should be responsible for QA?
- Why do you want to become property manager of this building?
- What sort of marketing objectives did your past property employ? Which marketing initiaves did you create and start? Were they successful?
Property Manager Information
March 27th, 2014
A property manager is a person or firm charged with operating a real estate property for a fee, when the owner is unable to personally attend to such details, or is not interested in doing so.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Property_manager
A property manager is a person or firm charged with operating a real estate property for a fee, when the owner is unable to personally attend to such details, or is not interested in doing so.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Property_manager
Property Manager User Submitted Interview Answers
Question
1 of 43
1 of 43
What factors are crucial within an organization and must be present for you to work most effectively?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
In the organization their a lots of factors. But the most crucial factor is the understanding and the patience of the people who work in the organization. Having that two factor will help the organization effectively. They will not entertain small issues that can ruin the bond of the organization, by having the patience to understand your co-worker will give peaceful living in the organization.
2.
Clear delineation of tasks and effective communication between all parties involved. Part of my current position involves a lot of coordinating of essential staff for art deliveries, gallery installations, event set-up, building maintenance work, and day to day visitor issues. All these tasks involve many different parties and making sure to follow up on emails, calls, or questions is essential to get work done effectively.
Question
2 of 43
2 of 43
How have you improved as a property manager over the years?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Once well equipped with the knowledge I became more confident in delivery and decision making.
2.
More intuned to the business side of things such as investment and financials. Always had the customer service skill side.
Question
3 of 43
3 of 43
Describe how you motivated a group of people to do something they did not want to do.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Giving them ideas and doing my self.
2.
I motivated them by letting them know if the accomplished to get so many leases they would receive a bigger insentive.
Question
4 of 43
4 of 43
We currently have 10 percent vacancy. How will you try to fill those spots?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Marketing, marketing, marketing! Up closing ratio of agents, free online websites to advertise.
2.
Marketing such as adds, agents, reach out to current tenants, online, craigslist, etc.
Question
5 of 43
5 of 43
How did you handle a recent situation where the direction from above was unclear and circumstances were changing?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Asked outright if there were any changes in the pipeline I should know about and how I would be affected if so.
2.
I moved forward and checked in regularly to make sure each step was what they wanted.
Question
6 of 43
6 of 43
When you believe an unethical issue is occurring, how do you react?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Basically, I assume that this kind of stance is as negative reaction on an issue, hence, I need to play the role of anger management and make the customer calm as much as I can, then I discuss the issue in a professional manner.
2.
Stop and reevaluate. Take it to my supervisor if need be.
Question
7 of 43
7 of 43
When have you had contractor disputes? How do you handle them?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I have checked the contract to make sure I am correct that the dispute is in fault of the contractor. Explain to the supervisor to give them an opportunity to fix the issue. If no progress contact the home office of the contractor, and handle it with the business manager. Only satisfactorily preformed jobs which satisfy the guidelines of the agreement endure the company full payment for services rendered.
2.
I've experienced very few disputes. However, when they have occurred, I have resolved them through calm manner and mutual understanding.
Question
8 of 43
8 of 43
Describe to me the last property you managed. What did you find to be successful during that period, and what did you find that you or the company did that was unsuccessful?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Personal customer service by taking the time to listen to existing tenants needs and addressing them completely. Company was unsuccessful in increasing current tenants rental rates with too high an increase.
2.
Brought online a shopping mall in Suisun that wasa purchased by my company.
Question
9 of 43
9 of 43
Has there been an occasion when you refused to bow to a customer's pressure to 'bend the rules'?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Of course. It is as simple as federal fair housing laws.
2.
Yes. A customer forcefully entered through the pedestrian gate refusing to be frisked by the security guards. Ideally such a customer should be locked out. Since the customer was making noise and disrupting the normal bank operations, I had to allow him to be served and left to exit.
Question
10 of 43
10 of 43
Rate your management skills on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 representing excellent management skills. Provide three examples from your past work experiences that demonstrate your selected number is accurate.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
8
1. Brought online 2 shopping centers for past employer
2. Mytenants love me (I have letters and emails of them saying goodbye)
3 I was the key person brought in when accounts were failing or on the verge of walking. I went in and saved them.
2.
I can build a very loyal and cohesive team that works well together and residents love and that are very competent. I am confident in my decision making for the property. I can always negotiate a lower cost on vendor contracts for the benefit of the property. I can turn a bad situation in to a positive review. I have stronger understanding of financials but feel there is more to absorb.
Question
11 of 43
11 of 43
What is the most challenging thing about being a manager?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Insubordinate employees, managing time and workload, working overtime.
2.
Expectations of being able to provide solutions to various challenges affecting the business and employees.
Question
12 of 43
12 of 43
What action would you take if you joined the company?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
First fully knowledge the property and team and then work to improve.
2.
Get to know my staff and listen to their suggestions. Know my property inside out. Introduce myself to my residents in a community letter and know who my co workers are so when in need I can count on them.
Question
13 of 43
13 of 43
Describe a scenario where you had to balance competing customer demands with project constraints. How did you ensure customer satisfaction while maintaining the goals of the project?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Gave them other options as well as explained the contraints. Most of my tenants are reasonable.
2.
I sought conflict resolution with supervisor, had humility to apologize, kept open lines of communication with parents, had team meetings, sought intervention.
Question
14 of 43
14 of 43
What methods have you found successful in determining the priorities when you start in a new facility?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Meeting the staff, walking the building/s, speaking with tenants, reviewing leases and budgets.
2.
Know your team. Know their strengths and capitalize on them. Know their weaknesses and build in them.
Question
15 of 43
15 of 43
What was the most challenging space you've had to lease in the past? What made it a challenge?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Vandalissed property, took time to fix it and expertist. Was finaly let out after few months.
2.
Really large space during a down time.
Question
16 of 43
16 of 43
Describe a recent project where you were responsible for managing multiple people or teams. What were some of the key challenges and how did you handle those challenges?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Multiple project going on. We designated responsiblities and receive reports on a daily basis.
2.
Metrocenter I was responsible for managing multiple people to complete the $1 million renovation on time and within budgeted amounts. Unexpected expenses were expensed against account codes that were unnecessarily budgeted.
Question
17 of 43
17 of 43
Tell me about a time when you experienced a major change to your normal work practices. How did you handle it?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Previously, I lost 50% of my team. We were short staffed, until we were able to hire new team members. I picked up additional tasks and ensured all work was completed.
2.
When a major renovation was carried out in one of my properties. I had to personally supervise.
Question
18 of 43
18 of 43
Describe the work environment or culture and its management style in which you have experienced the most success.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Teaching the proper skills and trusting that they will make the correct decisions.
2.
Where I am left to get my work done. Not overloaded. Not chaotic.
Question
19 of 43
19 of 43
What is your definition of empowerment?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Leading a team in such a way that each individual feels they are part of the team and motivate them to succeed further.
2.
Is when you totally equip a person with all that is needed to be successful in whatever he is doing. E. G education.
Question
20 of 43
20 of 43
What do you know about our organization?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
One of the top leading estated development coy and construction.
2.
They originated in the UK and now round one in the us. This is a concierge service for PM
Question
21 of 43
21 of 43
Give me your best talent or skill that makes you a great property manager?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Organized, resourceful and treat others the way I want to be treated.
2.
Good communication and good interpersonal relationship skill.
Question
22 of 43
22 of 43
What process have you used to screen potential tenants in the past? Go through the process you had with me.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Background security checks with previous landlord, employment status, referrals.
2.
We utilize real page for application screening and I ensure all fair housing laws are being abided by.
Question
23 of 43
23 of 43
Tell me about a time when you influenced the outcome of a project by taking a leadership role.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
A resident caught his apartment on fire and it occurred on the weekend when my manager was out. I reached out to necessary restoration vendors, reviewed policies, communicated with all parties including residents and insurance companies. Informed property manager.
2.
Building a property at the waterfront which I spearheaded te supervisory role.
Question
24 of 43
24 of 43
If I were to interview the people who have reported to you in the past, how would they describe your management style?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I believe they would describe my style as patient and empowering.
2.
I operate an open door policy and leadership by example.
Question
25 of 43
25 of 43
Tell us about an innovative idea/change that you implemented. Was it or was it not successful?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Our entire company went paperless, but we have the ability to receive paper payments. We currently maintain 100% paperless payments.
2.
Intorduction of pos and financial instruments.
Question
26 of 43
26 of 43
Describe a time when you had to balance quality management with a challenged project schedule.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I worked overtime on my dime. My reputation, my employer reputation and satisfaction for client are improtant.
2.
Priotise the work and identify the ones that needed to be done simultaneously.
Question
27 of 43
27 of 43
Describe a time when you implemented a new idea without being asked or pursued a new opportunity that could improve the building.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
With our building style, our community smoke detectors can go off and alert the entire community to evacuate as a fire safety precaution if any smoke is detected. I implemented clear communication of how the smoke detectors work with all new residents to educate them on how the alarms work. To diffuse upset residents in the future and lessen the amount of alarms being set off.
2.
I avoid single handedly implementing a new idea without the manegement approval. Will rather suggest to the management and only go ahead when approved.
Question
28 of 43
28 of 43
How do you perform when others need your guidance in a building crisis?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Respectful, understanding and firm.
2.
Fine... Calm. I make sure I find those who know more than me and everyone is notifiied.
Question
29 of 43
29 of 43
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict on the job.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I have dealt with miscommunication between the leasing team and maintenance team. I communicated standards to each team and held a team meeting.
2.
If I have a conflict I resolve it. If I cannot I take it to my supervisor.
Question
30 of 43
30 of 43
What is the largest building, space, that you have managed?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I have worked at a community with 498 apartment homes.
2.
Single complex was a 15,000 SF commercial office complex.
Question
31 of 43
31 of 43
Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I am able to put people at ease and make people smile, by my positive and upbeat attitude.
2.
A few months ago my previous employer started working with a charity called student minds, to launch partnership we voted to run a 100hrs challenge, where we had to raise $100+ during the campaign one of my tenants came to thank me for introducing the charity in to the community as he finally found someone who could help.
Question
32 of 43
32 of 43
Tell me about a time when you were particularly effective on prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
At times, I work in the office by myself, so prioritizing tasks and completing projects is something I do regularly. If I have a project that needs to be done. I make it a priority to complete, because my day can change at any moment. Some days I have to complete Month End and run the property. I will respond to emails or other tasks while reports are being processed and complete all necessary tasks of Month End in between.
2.
Every time I coordinate a project this is the goal.
Question
33 of 43
33 of 43
Have you ever discontinued service with a vendor or contractor? How did it go?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Yes. It went fine. I never let them go unless there was a reason. However, I always made sure I had a contingency plan.
2.
Yes. The vendor threatened to launch a litigation but we amicable resolved it out of court to the satisfaction of both parties.
Question
34 of 43
34 of 43
How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our property?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Given the right training and resources a month or two.
2.
That is hard to say. Immediate meaningful contribution would be the fact that the site supervisors and admin staff have someone with my knowledge to come to with their problems. In the long run working with admin to set up a stable operational plan to manage the sites would be a goal.
Question
35 of 43
35 of 43
Why are you leaving your current/last job?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
My property is for sale and I am looking to further my career.
2.
I feel a need to start focussing more on career goals rather than just working day to day.
Question
36 of 43
36 of 43
What job duties would you like to avoid if at all possible?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I enjoy the multiple hats property managers are able to wear. I enjoy performing all tasks. However, reprimanding employees may be necessary, but it is my least favorite task. I enjoy when people, do what they're supposed to do.
2.
Having to explain yourself when something has gone wrong. It is both embarrassing and unprofessional.
Question
37 of 43
37 of 43
What do you do when priorities change quickly? Give one example of when this happened.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I have experienced emergencies happen onsite. Which require immediate attention. At times, projects need to be stopped. I experienced a resident that drove into an apartment home. Everything I was doing at that moment, needed to be stopped and I had to deal with the driver and residents.
2.
I quickly pick up the new priority and run. I explain if needed that I have to shift gears. Example: Taking care of a client move when all of a sudden there is a water leak. Water comes first. Most people understand this.
Question
38 of 43
38 of 43
How do you reward employees?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Depending on the circumstances there are many different ways to approach rewarding an employee. Some methods I utilize is positive reinforcement and continued training.
2.
I like to create some routine to keep myself efficient. I start my day early, listen to the developments of the day on my drive to work.
Question
39 of 43
39 of 43
What experience do you have handling tenants?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I have over ten years of customer service experience, which is a strength of mine. I have been experiencing residents for the last five years. I can honestly say that it has been enjoyable, due the challenges residents create in handling situations professionally and being able to satisfy them as well. I am an expert at dealing with residents in positive and negative situations.
2.
My experience includes interviewing and finding qualified canidates to sublet my apartment before I moved and with adding qaulified tentants to my lease to fill a house I was renting and in one case, removing a tenant from the lease to be filled by a more qaulified applicant.
Question
40 of 43
40 of 43
What is the salary that you expect?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I have done some research of similar position, an the range between $37k to $50k all depending on location. Is this the range you have budgeted?
2.
Based on the industry remuneration standards.
Question
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41 of 43
What is your definition of Quality Assurance (QA), and who should be responsible for QA?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
My definition QA relating to property managment, is ensuring customer satisfaction from their intial contact all the way through to signing the lease and to the end of lease with us.
2.
Quality assurance is the ability to maintain exceptional level of quality and everyone is accountable for quality assurance.
Question
42 of 43
42 of 43
Why do you want to become property manager of this building?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I am here to work. The building speaks for itself. It is professional and requires someone with a professional approach... That is me.
2.
To offer my skills and experience.
Question
43 of 43
43 of 43
What sort of marketing objectives did your past property employ? Which marketing initiaves did you create and start? Were they successful?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I worked shortly as a marketing representative for the Fairfield. I was able to perform outreach marketing and was proven successful in social media marketing. Also, Yelp is highly utilized in our market, so I pushed for our residents and prospects to submit their reviews.
2.
Digital marketing, Facebook, LinkedIn, to date website.
Video
View our top property manager interview questions, as voted on by our users! Good luck on your upcoming interview. Created on February 20th, 2016
Property Manager Pros
1. Rewarding and fun filled days July 26th, 2012
2. The ability to work with the owner as there eyes and ears and to have the freedom to make good choices to produce a positive result for all parties to have good relationship in our business. September 7th, 2012
Questions to ask at Interview
What are you looking for in your next Property Manager to help me understand what your true wants and needs are to make sure I understand what you expect as so I can make note of the key things that will help me for the interview should this work out for