We never stop looking for talented sales people.

Estate agent

Estate agents market and sell and rent property for clients. As an estate agent, you would negotiate between buyers and sellers. You would use your knowledge of the local property market to get the best price for the seller. If you are interested in the property market and you enjoy meeting different people, this job could be perfect for you.
To be an estate agent, you should have good organisational and time-keeping skills. You should also be trustworthy.

Employers are usually more interested in your skills and experience than your formal qualifications.

Work activities

Your work would include:

•    viewing properties, and taking photos and measurements
•    advising clients about the buying and selling process
•    valuing properties
•    marketing and advertising properties for sale or rent
•    showing potential buyers around properties
•    negotiating a price that is acceptable to the buyer and the seller
•    arranging conveyancing (legal sale and purchase documents)
•    booking surveys and energy assessments
•    managing rented properties

A large part of the work involves residential sales, but in some agencies you could also deal with commercial property, lettings, property management.

Working hours and conditions:

In a full-time job you would normally work around 35 to 50 hours a week between Monday and Saturday.

You would be based at an office or but would spend a lot of your time visiting properties to show people around and make valuations.

Entry requirements

Employers are usually more interested in your skills and experience than your formal qualifications. You should have good people skills and sales skills, and it will help you if you have previous experience of customer service work.

You may be able to start as an administrator in an estate agency and work your way up as your experience grows. Some estate agents are qualified building surveyors, although this is not essential.
You may also be able to start in this job through a property services Apprenticeship.

Skills, interests and qualities

To be an estate agent, you should have:

•    excellent spoken and written communication skills
•    strong negotiation and sales skills
•    the ability to deal with people from all backgrounds
•    good business sense
•    an interest in property and the housing market
•    good organisational and time-keeping skills
•    a friendly, trustworthy and professional attitude
•    computer skills
•    the ability to work under pressure and meet sales targets.