Real Estate Resume: Writing Tips and Ideas for 2023

Writing an outstanding real estate resume is like trying to build the perfect home - you want to have room for everything, but rarely there is the space to do so.

Who wouldn’t want to have an extra guest room or a hobby room? Or an extra box on the resume to show off your accomplishments?

Just like it's crucial to have a bathroom in your home, there are a few key pieces of real estate you must add to your resume.

Even if you lack the experience.

Remember - every first-time homeowner needs certain bare necessities. And they need to look appealing.

What about senior real estate specialists? They are like a family looking to upsize.

Why?

Because they:

• have lots of clutter which they are proud of
• find it difficult to select which assets are the most important pieces

So, how do you go about building one from scratch? Regardless of your level of expertise.

As with real estate, you’ll soon find that location, location, location is key. And substance, of course!

Keep on reading to find out.

Here is what our extensive guide will teach you

• Which resume format is preferable for a real estate resume
• How to frame your resume even with little to no work experience
• What information hiring managers are on the lookout for
• How to describe transferable skills from previous job positions
• How to balance the hard and soft skills on your resume
• Which qualification are in demand for specific real estate positions

How to map out a quality real estate resume

Real estate agent, broker, and realtor - what is the difference?

For many, there isn’t much of a distinction. They can be used interchangeably and mean, more or less, the same thing.

But you know this isn’t true. And why is this important?

Because sometimes even recruiters mix them up, too. This is your reminder to always research what the position in the job ad entails.

And most importantly - tailor your resume to the listed requirements. Let hiring managers know you’ve actually read their job offer.

After you familiarize yourself with the job ad, it’s time to choose the best format and layout for your resume.

These depend on your employment history and level of expertise.

If you want to boast a rich career, then it’s a no-brainer - use the reverse-chronological resume.

Start with your most recent position and duties. When tracing your career, go back no further than a decade. Showcase how your skills have developed over time.

If you have little experience, the functional skill-based resume is your best option. It is also ideal for when you're switching careers.

Why?

Its purpose is to emphasize your diverse skills and how you’ve acquired them. What’s more, you can hint at how your skills can benefit your potential employer should they hire you.

No matter which format you select, there are a few key segments which must be present in all cases.

We’ve got the general lay of the land. Now, what about the substance?

There are many facets to the real estate industry. Showing you have a firm grasp on what it takes to be an outstanding professional is what it takes to be hired.

The resume header: winning recruiters on your side from the get-go

Hiring managers want to see if you can make a good first impression. Not only with them, but with customers, too.

After all, customers rely on real estate professionals who work for their benefit. And this involves great attention to detail.

Can recruiters infer this from the resume header? Of course.

2 Real Estate Resume Header Examples

Let’s look at the following sample:

There are some obvious mistakes - Marley states he is based in San Francisco, but doesn’t specify the state.

Everyone knows San Francisco is located in California. This isn’t about facts. It’s about not looking sloppy and unprofessional.

Also, real estate professionals are always on the go. Yes, listing a phone number is good. But Marley needs to include at least one more method of communication.

Oftentimes, customers don’t have the luxury to make phone calls during working hours. Recruiters take this into account.

Leave an email, a link to your LinkedIn profile or a company website.

These are a good segue to showing more of your work projects. You know, without overcrowding your resume with clutter.

Hiring managers will have the ability to verify past places of employment. And review the type of real estate work you specialize in.

What does this look like?

Much better!

Listing your achievements in the resume summary: How to place yourself ahead of others

Resume summaries are like property descriptions - their purpose is to sell. And your task is to pitch yourself by featuring your professional accomplishments.

And just like property ads can be full of flowery language, so can resumes. Jobseekers often fall into the trap of using too many buzzwords.

If customers can recognize an over-the-top ad, you can bet recruiters can spot a false resume.

So, what can you do?

Before you start writing, check which one is more suitable - a resume summary or an objective.

Simply put, if you don’t have much experience, use a resume objective. Make sure you stay relevant to the position.

Alternatively, stick to a succinct summary to outline your biggest achievements. Don’t forget to include details about:

• Years of experience
• Niche you operate in
• Awards and prizes
• Special skills
• Personal bests
• Extra certifications and qualifications

It sounds like a lot, doesn’t it?

Worry not, have a look at the following samples.

3 Real Estate Resume Summary Examples

This one is a nice attempt. But there are:

• Many repetitive statements
• No references to any practical experience in the industry
• No mentions of the type or real estate work the applicant specializes in
• No certificates or any accredited licenses have been listed

The first sentence is a long-winded way of saying:

“A real estate agent with some experience is seeking a senior position with your company”.

No need for such flowery language. Instead, do this:

Notice the difference?

This professional:

• Is licensed
• Has more than a decade of experience in the industry
• Specializes in both commercial and residential properties
• Has easily-verifiable certificates and awards

Recruiters are always on the look for measurable outcomes.

Numbers speak volumes.

You may be asking yourself, “But I don’t have any experience, what do I do?”

Take a look at this resume objective example:

You may not have the numbers, but you can highlight relevant work experience. And any transferable skills that go along with it.

Don’t rely on resume buzzwords.

Be honest and show you mean business.

Experience section descriptions for your real estate resume

This is the part of the resume most people are familiar with. And scared of.

Depending on the type of format and layout you’ve chosen, this section can look different.

The functional resume format leaves little space to discuss your work history. As a result, its experience section is smaller.

But its skills section is formatted similarly. You still have to include measurable and verifiable information. It confirms how you’ve developed these skills.

2 Real Estate Resume Experience Examples

Here is what you need to avoid at all cost:

What’s wrong with it?

• The job title doesn’t specify the type of properties the applicant deals with
• The company description also sounds generic
• Each entry sounds very robotic and unmotivated

Honestly, I can come up with more synonyms of the word “boring” than there are entries in this section.

Let’s spruce it up a little bit:

Now we’re talking. Both the job title and the company description place the applicant in a set business niche.

More importantly, we have measurable results. Notice how each of the entries references metrics which would be of interest to the employer.

Business owners care about customer generation and satisfaction rates.

That’s why you shouldn’t worry about not having experience in the real estate industry. You can still align your current skills to what your future employer’s goals.

If you still need some tips, read more on how to build a resume without work experience.

Flaunting soft and hard skills on your real estate resume

Speaking of strengths and abilities, it’s time we take a look at the skills portion of your resume.

Applicants with little experience usually find it difficult to brag about their talents. Unless someone somewhere issued a certificate to verify their skills.

And for those who have a rich skill set, selecting just a few is a nightmare.

Whatever your level of expertise is, keep in mind to balance out your technical and social skills.

Do you need hard skills for a real estate resume?

Many have lamented the coming of Artificial Intelligence. Rest assured, no robots are going to replace real estate professionals.

Not when customers rely on real estate professionals to empathize with their needs. And find the best solutions to their problems.

Real estate agencies now organize virtual home tours. Some have introduced mobile apps to display their listings catalog. So, being able to navigate these is a must.

Irrespective of your industry, being tech-savvy really goes a long way.

Trending soft skills which impress hiring managers

Here is where it gets tricky. You can probably give me an example of at least 5 soft skills you can put on your resume. But do you know how to describe them?

Always lead with results. Even your social skills have measurable outcomes.

“How do you measure these?”, you may ask.

You've done an open house tour and people have liked your presentation skills? You must have a high customer satisfaction rate.

Others may have been moved by the way you handle their complaints.

Analyze how your actions affect those around you.

Check out the following examples:

It’s easy! Now that you know how to do it, let’s look at what recruiters are searching for in the perfect real estate candidate.

Do you need to add an education section to your real estate resume?

Definitely!

While some degrees are preferred by recruiters, they are not mandatory. But having your state real estate license is a must.

That’s why when listing your training and education, start with your license. Then add the degree or diploma you have acquired most recently.

Begin by listing those most relevant to the position.

Some of the most favored degrees include:

• High school diploma
• Real estate agent license
• Real estate broker license
• Real Estate Salesperson License
• Associate degree of arts in communication
• Associate degree in science in real estate
• Commercial property management
• BA Marketing
• BA Business Administration
• BA Property Management
• BS Business

_You can find more examples on how to make the most of your education section here. _

Are there any certificates which stand out on a real estate resume?

Of course!

Every real estate professional undergoes continuous training. Even after they obtain their license.

Certificates prove you follow best practices and stay informed on current industry trends.

Some of them may seem too far out because they deal with property management in general. But don’t let this hold you back. They are still relevant.

Just make sure that any certificates you list on your resume are up-to-date.

What else can boost your chances with hiring managers?

There are many other sections you can add to your real estate resume. Anything can be a bonus, if it’s relevant to the job position.

Some of these include:

• Association Memberships (National Associations of Realtors (NAR) or any other local association)
• Foreign languages
• Cover letter
• Client recommendations
• Real estate agency and marketing awards
• Volunteering work
• Side projects

If you’re familiar with the local community, you’re better fit to serve it.

Do you know a foreign language? Then you can assist local immigrant families in their search for a place to live.

You’ve done a summer stint at a local marketing agency? Maybe you can help out with the company website.

Think outside the box.

Key takeaways: The shortest guide to writing your real estate resume

• Add a LinkedIn or a company website profile to showcase your work
• Whenever possible, specify the type of real estate work you do
• Make sure you don’t list certificates which have expired
• When describing your skills, always lead with results
• Stick to relevant experience from past positions, even if you’re switching careers
• Avoid buzzwords, but reference keywords from the job ad
• Display different aspects of your work. Real estate is more than land and buildings.