Keeping your CV current and impactful is a frequent challenge you face as a property manager, with the need to effectively showcase your diverse skill set and property management achievements. Our comprehensive guide provides tailored tips and examples that will help you craft a standout CV, ensuring you present your capabilities in the most professional light.
- Answer job requirements with your property manager CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your property manager CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
How to ensure your profile stands out with your property manager CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your property manager CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your property manager CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your property manager CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a property manager CV
- Professional Experience shows your depth in property management.
- Key Achievements highlight your successes and impact.
- Property Management Skills demonstrate your industry competencies.
- Education and Certifications confirm your foundational knowledge.
- Property Portfolio managed can indicate your operational scale.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your experience with property maintenance, including managing contractors and overseeing repairs, to illustrate the practical aspect of property management skills.
- Emphasise strong interpersonal skills and experience in tenant relations, including conflict resolution, to show that you can maintain a positive living environment and handle disputes effectively.
- Include any experience with property financial management, like budgeting and rent collection, to demonstrate an understanding of the financial responsibilities of property management.
- Detail your knowledge of relevant property laws, health and safety regulations, and any certifications such as IRPM or RICS, as legal compliance is paramount in this role.
- Quantify your achievements with specifics, such as occupancy rates or the percentage by which you've increased rental income, to provide concrete evidence of your success as a property manager.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning property manager CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for property manager:
- Senior Property Manager | Portfolios & Strategic Growth | RICS Certified | 10+ Years Experience
- Residential Property Manager | Tenant Relations Expert | Block Management | 5 Years in Role
- Commercial Property Manager | Asset Maximisation | NEBOSH Health & Safety | 8 Years Industry Leader
- Assistant Property Manager | Lease Administration | Customer Service Champion | Emerging Industry Talent
- Property Portfolio Manager | Investment Strategies | BSc Real Estate | 12 Years Professional Practice
- Regional Property Manager | Operational Excellence | ARMA Accredited | Cross-Sector Experience
Opting between a property manager CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your property manager CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a property manager job:
- With over 10 years' experience in residential and commercial property management, a strong grasp of property maintenance, tenant relations, and lease administration, and a track record of increasing rental occupancy rates by 30% within the first year, I am equipped to ensure optimum asset performance and tenant satisfaction.
- Bringing eight years of hands-on experience in managing multifamily properties, adept in using property management software, and recognised for powering revenue growth of 20% through strategic renovations and marketing initiatives, I am positioned to maximise returns on investment and enhance the living environment for residents.
- Transitioning from a 12-year career in hotel management, my dedication to customer service, deep understanding of facility operations, and a rich background in hospitality service excellence provide me with a unique perspective poised to bridge the gap to property management by applying transferable skills in a dynamic new context.
- As an architectural project manager with over 7 years of experience overseeing commercial and residential projects, my comprehensive understanding of building regulations, design principles, and construction processes informs a robust platform from which I intend to transition into property management, bringing rigorous project oversight to property portfolio growth strategies.
- Seeking to leverage a passion for real estate and a strong background in customer-facing roles to kickstart a career in property management, I am enthusiastic about applying fresh insights and a commitment to excellence in tenant relations, facility maintenance, and operational efficiency for a pioneering property portfolio.
- With no prior experience in property management but a keen interest in the industry, I aim to bring a proactive learning attitude, a vibrant work ethic, and a desire to integrate my strong organisational and interpersonal skills into a property management career, diligently working towards enhancing tenant satisfaction and property optimisation.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your property manager CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Expertly managed a portfolio of 50+ residential properties, consistently achieving an annual occupancy rate of 95% through proactive tenant relations and market analysis.
- Implemented a streamlined rent collection process that reduced late payments by 30%, enhancing the financial performance of the properties.
- Oversaw the coordination of all maintenance and repair work, reducing average response time to tenant requests by 50% and increasing tenant satisfaction.
- Negotiated contracts with external vendors to reduce costs by 15% whilst maintaining high-quality services, demonstrating strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Conducted thorough tenant background and credit checks, reducing the number of rent defaults and evictions by 20% and ensuring a reliable tenant base.
- Prepared detailed monthly financial reports for property owners, delivering insights into income statements, balance sheets, and budget variances, enhancing investment decision-making.
- Led the development of property business plans and budgets, providing a strategic outlook that improved overall asset value and profitability.
- Developed and maintained excellent relationships with tenants, swiftly resolving disputes and fostering a positive community atmosphere within the properties.
- Championed sustainability initiatives across managed properties, leading to a 10% reduction in energy costs and contributing to corporate social responsibility objectives.
- Increased rental income by 20% through the implementation of a tiered pricing structure and targeted marketing strategies, enhancing profitability.
- Spearheaded a project to retrofit properties with energy-efficient systems, resulting in a 25% reduction in utility costs and improved sustainability credentials.
- Improved tenant retention rates by 15% by developing a comprehensive property maintenance plan and fostering strong tenant relations.
- Negotiated and secured 30+ long-term commercial leases with national and international retailers, expanding the tenant base.
- Oversaw a portfolio of over 50 residential properties, maintaining an occupancy rate of over 95% through effective tenant acquisition and retention strategies.
- Directed a team of 10 property management staff, enhancing operational efficiency through continuous training and performance monitoring.
- Coordinated the redevelopment of a historic building into luxury apartments, overseeing budgets exceeding £5 million and achieving full occupancy within six months of launch.
- Implemented a new cloud-based property management system, streamlining workflow and improving data accuracy across all managed properties.
- Led a customer service initiative that increased tenant satisfaction scores by over 30% through proactive communication and rapid issue resolution.
- Managed day-to-day operations of a commercial property estate, enhancing service delivery by coordinating with vendors and contractors.
- Conducted market analysis to advise investors on potential property acquisitions, which resulted in the successful addition of 5 new properties to the portfolio.
- Streamlined rent collection processes, reducing arrears by 40% and ensuring consistent cash flow for property owners.
- Pioneered the adoption of eco-friendly practices in residential property management, leading to certification as a 'Green Manager' and differentiating the portfolio in a competitive market.
- Led the transition for 20 properties to a more efficient property management software, improving reporting capabilities and client satisfaction.
- Enhanced security measures across the residential portfolio, reducing the incidence of property-related crimes by 50%.
- Expertly managed a property portfolio worth over £50 million, maintaining high standards of property maintenance and compliance with regulations.
- Conducted extensive renovation projects that increased property values by an average of 18%, attracting higher-paying tenants.
- Developed and executed a bespoke marketing plan for underperforming properties, bringing average vacancy rates down from 10% to 2% within a year.
- Designed and implemented an innovative tenant loyalty program that significantly decreased turnover and enhanced the living experience.
- Managed a budget of over £3 million for property refurbishments, successfully delivering projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Collaborated with real estate agents to boost property visibility, which resulted in a 25% increase in lease-up rates for new developments.
- Revitalized a portfolio of aged properties through targeted renovations, ultimately increasing their market value and desirability among potential tenants.
- Facilitated a partnership with a proptech firm to incorporate smart home technology into properties, resulting in enhanced functionality and tenant appeal.
- Negotiated vendor contracts to achieve a 20% reduction in annual maintenance costs while maintaining high service quality.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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PRO TIP
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your property manager CV:
Property Management
Real Estate Knowledge
Financial Budgeting
Maintenance Coordination
Contract Negotiation
Legal Compliance
Marketing and Advertising
Property Inspections
Lease Administration
Project Management
Communication
Customer Service
Leadership
Organisational
Problem Solving
Time Management
Decision Making
Negotiation
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Your university degree and certificates: an integral part of your property manager CV
Let's take you back to your uni days and decide what information will be relevant for your property manager CV. Once more, when discussing your higher education, select only information that is pertinent to the job (e.g. degrees and projects in the same industry, etc.). Ultimately, you should:
- List only your higher education degrees, alongside start and graduation dates, and the university name;
- Include that you obtained a first degree for diplomas that are relevant to the role, and you believe will impress recruiters;
- Showcase relevant coursework, projects, or publications, if you happen to have less experience or will need to fill in gaps in your professional history.
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your property manager CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
