Hello my friend! So, you’re a new temporary associate are you? If you’re new to the multifamily housing industry-welcome! My name is Rommel Anacan and I have been affiliated with the property management industry since 2004. Throughout my multifamily career I’ve worked at both the community (on-site) and corporate levels. Today I work with companies nationwide as a speaker, trainer and consultant; I’m also the “resident blogger” for the PM Staffing team.
It’s Not Easy!
Throughout my career I have worked with many temporary associates and I’d like to give you some tips on succeeding as a “temp.” Being a temporary associate isn’t easy. It is NOT simply a matter of going to the office, answering a few phone calls, helping some people out and then heading home.
As you’ve probably experienced by now a community office is a dynamic environment with a lot going on! Team members need to wear many hats in many areas. One minute you’re working on a spreadsheet entering data, the next a resident walks in with a complaint. Then you’re focused intently on filling paperwork away, when a group of people come in wanting to view every single apartment that is available. You need to do almost everything well…and that isn’t easy!
Then you have the experience of walking into a new office environment often. Every day is a different experience and as soon as you get the hang of things, you’re off to a new community, company, and/or city!
Helpful Tips
Tip One: Be Flexible! If you’ve been asked to work an assignment it’s probably because that community is short-staffed. Perhaps an associate called in sick, or is on an extended leave of absence and the property needs someone to take over the role of that associate. Maybe the property team will be attending an event and they need someone who will “mind the store” while they’re away. You never know what you’ll be asked to do, or how you’ll be asked to do it, so I recommend being as flexible as possible!
This can be especially difficult for temporary associates with experience in property management. If this is YOU-I know that you might be bringing a tremendous amount of wisdom and experience, and you be used to a very set way of doing things. I worked with a temporary associate with previous experience and every time I asked her to do something she’d push back or resist and tell me how her former company did it. After awhile this got old and I finally had to remind her that we weren’t working for her former company.
Tip Two: Check Your Ego at the Door: This really piggybacks on top of Tip One! When you walk into the office your role is really to be whatever the team needs you to be at any given moment. You may be asked to file extensive paperwork even though you were a former regional manager. You may need to do things you hadn’t had to do in years, which you are way overqualified to do. Even though you bring a wealth of wisdom your input may not be needed or wanted by anyone!
I know-I know-you logically understand that this comes with the territory, however the emotions may take a longer to catch up. I have worked with a few temporary associates who seemed genuinely hurt that we weren’t taking their opinion and advice! So, if you feel tempted to jump in where you’re not really needed, stop and look before you leap.
Tip Three: Own What Is Yours: The temporary associates I appreciated the most were the ones who had a clear understanding of what I needed them to do and then chose to run with it. These were associates who did their research prior to arriving at the office so they knew all about our community. These are associates who kept themselves busy and constantly sought out things to do.
I’ll add more tips in future posts-but hopefully this gives you a great foundation to begin with! I wish you great success on your journey!!
