Next step on getting a job

[Michigander]

First off, I want to thank everyone who has been helpful to me over these past couple of years as I have asked question after question, and thank you for continuing to be of assistance, it does help!

In less than two weeks now I will finally have my Bachelor's. As such, I am starting to start my career planning in terms of direction that I take. I have isolated a best fit in either non-residential, or complex residential work (non-lending) which will require a CG as well as a lot of help getting there.

My thoughts are that I would likely fit best in a firm of commercial appraisers who do work in right-of-way, conservation easements, and combination complex residential and smaller commercial work. I'd like to work in a firm with several MAIs if possible but not likely one of the large firms like Colliers (Valbridge sounds really interesting on the other hand).

For those of you who hire, what do you look for in a candidate? What should I stress when I start to make inquiries? I do have my SRA and am a USPAP instructor, and have been appraising full-time for over 25-years. I have strengths in analysis and in writing, although it does need beefing up as well. I have had only one course towards the general license so far (the H&BU course) and would like to take a couple more this year if possible, but want to wait until July.

So, how should I go about approaching possible employers? I know there is some reticence on hiring long-time residential appraisers for fear we are too far ingrained in form reporting and "form think", but I am not afraid of narrative and am not afraid of analysis if I learn how to do it.

Thanks again, and thank you all for whatever advice you can offer.

 

[leasedfee]

Michigander, it seems that you are well positioned and just need to tell your story.

My comments aren't so much for you as for a general audience: Besides the usual job candidate requirements, blah blah blah, when I was in a position of interviewing, we wanted to see that the person could write coherently with correct grammar.

Time value of money. You have to understand this cold if you are to be any use to anyone -- it creeps into even the simplest of projects. Many people may train you. I won't... not everyone is willing to sit down and do their homework and it is too much time and brain damage to coddle them.

A good understanding of real estate law is important for some of the specialties you've mentioned. Don't stare at me blankly when I ask what an easement is.

On a prior post, I stated that some residential appraisers need de-programming and that they resent retraining because they already have 10 or 20 years of residential appraisal experience. I'd have re-program myself if I switched to residential -- things are just too different. For a residential appraiser making the switch, I would want to know that you're very open to re-learning. Having to throw out your comps because you refused to listen before the assignment began is painful for everyone.

To survive in this industry the employee needs enthusiasm for appraisal and curiosity in the firm's oeuvre. When that wanes, the employee leaves.

Last, I would avoid potential employees who have skippy or wheeler dealer personas. This is a tough judgment call. They don't want to be appraisers -- they just want something that they think an appraisal "career" might give them.

 

[Michigander]

Thanks Timothy, this seems to be good advice, and I better brush up on the time value of money concept (learned it in GRI III decades ago). That is something I haven't dealt with at all in my practice. Real estate law is something I do have a modicum of knowledge about at least as I have retained my broker's license for years and that gets approached in CE quite often.

Do you mind if I send you an email with some questions?

 

[leasedfee]

Michigander ~ certainly PM me. . . . . . We become who are clients are. So pick firms/people who are aligned with your real estate career aspirations.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

If I just look at this as your resume, you sound like a guy who's highly motivated. Especially for someone who is apparently not a spring chicken. No insult intended, I'm not one either.

So, motivation and experience are among your strong points.
Knowledge, education.
Use them. That's all I got.

First off, I want to thank everyone who has been helpful to me over these past couple of years as I have asked question after question, and thank you for continuing to be of assistance, it does help!

In less than two weeks now I will finally have my Bachelor's. As such, I am starting to start my career planning in terms of direction that I take. I have isolated a best fit in either non-residential, or complex residential work (non-lending) which will require a CG as well as a lot of help getting there.

My thoughts are that I would likely fit best in a firm of commercial appraisers who do work in right-of-way, conservation easements, and combination complex residential and smaller commercial work. I'd like to work in a firm with several MAIs if possible but not likely one of the large firms like Colliers (Valbridge sounds really interesting on the other hand).

For those of you who hire, what do you look for in a candidate? What should I stress when I start to make inquiries? I do have my SRA and am a USPAP instructor, and have been appraising full-time for over 25-years. I have strengths in analysis and in writing, although it does need beefing up as well. I have had only one course towards the general license so far (the H&BU course) and would like to take a couple more this year if possible, but want to wait until July.

So, how should I go about approaching possible employers? I know there is some reticence on hiring long-time residential appraisers for fear we are too far ingrained in form reporting and "form think", but I am not afraid of narrative and am not afraid of analysis if I learn how to do it.

Thanks again, and thank you all for whatever advice you can offer.

 

[JTip]

My thoughts are that I would likely fit best in a firm of commercial appraisers who do work in right-of-way,

Why not your local DOT?

Gain commercial ROW experience (and log book experience) surrounded by your peers state wide. Take specific classes (IRWA, DOT) not available to most appraisers. Work a decade or two (depending on your age) and then do contract fee work for the contacts you make over the years. Your general classes and expenses should be covered along with all the CE you will ever need.

Off at 3pm, 1% stress level and all the benefits that come along with the civil service.

http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9623_38029_38057_39355-189312--,00.html

 

[Michigander]

Thanks JTip. Actually already on the MDOT approved list but have yet to even bid. Will definitely start going to IWRA meetings. I have been to one already and it seems very interesting. Took one condemnation course but I want to take it again after a couple more CG courses. I have about twenty more working years ahead of me so some things I may never get to do. First thing now is figuring how to sell myself to a commercial firm as I am not a spring chicken.

 

[Mary Tiernan]

When drawing up your resume, do not put dates of employment - this is a notice of age for some of us.

Always highlight what you did, i.e., developed, enacted, established, contributed, etc.

Include a cover letter detailing your career highlights but remember NOT to provide any indications of time frame.

Once you get an interview, brush up on your interview skills. This should include answering questions while looking at yourself in the mirror. A simple eye roll or negative facial expression can destroy your chances.


Remember, never ramble. Answer the question, then stop talking. Tough interviewers will look at you as if wanting more, when all they are doing is testing you. Smile, but don't elaborate unless they ask you.

Try to remember circumstances that you can use for examples when needed. The interviewer will ask you what would you do if . . . go through your experiences and have ready answers.

Good luck!

 

[Michigander]

Thank you Mary, I hadn't thought about the time frame of my previous employment. That does make sense though, although I know resumes often take a chronological order (mine does). It does hint at how old I am based on the number of years experience. To me though, if they only want the young, I would be out of the running at an in person interview anyway. Why go through the machinations of getting there only to be denied because they are looking for fresh blood anyway?

 

[J Grant]

Do you got to Appraisal Institute functions to network? Perhaps offer to assist for free, a commercial appraiser on some jobs or offer to do their res work at low fee in order to learn commercial. Leased Fee was was very generous in his advice, the remainder of commercial appraisers on this board did not bother to respond, which brings to mind is all you need is one mentor to see your potential. Keep taking commercial courses, maybe write up a demonstration appraisal, pay to have it reviewed so you can use it as a sample.