Every estate manager wants to find a role where they can thrive. Learn from the pros: what questions should you ask during the interview process to help you find great principals, find growth opportunities, and land a long-term job?
Like looking for a needle in a haystack, it can be hard to find the right estate management job that fits your interests and skills. You might have to set up a lot of job alerts and read through a lot of job descriptions before you find the one that really gets you excited.
If you get the job, it’s easy to focus on how to show that you’re the best person for the job. But, it’s just as important to remember that you are interviewing your future principals, too.
How can you do well in the interview? What can you do to learn as much as you can about the job of estate manager before you finally accept it?
It’s not enough to just ask about basic duties, schedule, salary, etc. We asked the experts in our Easemakers community to share their favorite questions to ask during an interview.
Check out their answers below, and join the conversation in Easemakers, the leading community for private service professionals!
Are you ready to embark on your journey as an Estate Manager, a role that demands both leadership and meticulous attention to detail? This comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge and insights you need to ace your Estate Manager interview and secure your dream job.
Unveiling the Secrets of Estate Manager Interview Questions
This guide delves into the most frequently asked Estate Manager interview questions, providing you with expert insights and sample answers to help you shine during your interview
1 Types of Estates Managed
This question assesses your experience in managing various types of estates Highlight the specific types of estates you’ve managed, such as private residences, historical properties, or commercial estates Discuss the challenges and successes you’ve encountered in each type of environment.
2. Monitoring Staff Performance:
This question explores your organizational and people management skills. Share your strategies for monitoring staff performance, such as regular check-ins, performance reviews, and providing constructive feedback. Explain how you use data and metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
3. Balancing Renovation and Daily Operations
This question assesses your multitasking and time management abilities. Discuss your approach to prioritizing tasks and managing multiple projects simultaneously. Give an example of how you managed to keep an estate running and a renovation project going at the same time.
4. Advertising the Estate as a Wedding Venue:
This question explores your sales and marketing skills. Explain your strategies for promoting the estate as a wedding venue. Talk about your experience making marketing materials, building relationships with vendors, and overseeing the booking process.
5. Handling Staff-Caused Property Damage:
This question evaluates your interpersonal and problem-solving abilities. Share an example of how you handled a situation where a staff member damaged property. Explain your approach to assessing the damage, communicating with the staff member, and resolving the issue.
Beyond the Obvious: Non-Obvious Questions to Ask
1. Predecessor’s Tenure and Performance:
This question helps you understand the job’s history and potential red flags. Ask about the length of your predecessor’s tenure and what they did well or not so well. This can reveal turnover issues or unrealistic expectations.
2. Long-Term Vision for the Role:
This question helps you align your career goals with the family’s vision. Ask about the family’s vision for the role in the next 5-10 years. This will help you understand how your role might evolve and ensure it aligns with your aspirations.
3. Preferred Communication Style:
This question helps you assess communication compatibility. Ask about the family’s preferred communication style. This will help you understand their expectations and ensure you can effectively communicate with them.
4. Average Work Week and PTO Usage:
This question helps you understand the work-life balance and expectations. Ask about the average work week and how PTO is typically used. This will give you insight into the workload and flexibility offered.
5. Principal’s Behavior on Their Worst Day:
This question helps you assess the family’s leadership style. Ask how the family behaves on their worst day. This will give you insight into their ability to handle challenges and maintain a positive environment.
Remember, your interview is an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and passion for estate management. By preparing for these questions and demonstrating your abilities, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job and making a positive impact on the lives of those you serve.
2 – What is the 0 version of the person leaving the role? If you could improve upon my predecessor, what would that look like?
This question from Tina Luther, Bay Area Chief of Staff and Estate Manager, is another great way to ask about your predecessor in a way that keeps the conversation positive.
You should also learn about two red flags Tina looks out for when talking to potential principals: talking badly about former employees and setting unrealistic goals.
7 – What is your preferred method of communication?
Tina Luther says that each principal might have a different answer to this question. For example, “give me the reader’s digest version, put post-it notes on the counter, write me an essay, text me every hour,” ”.
If you ask this question early on, you can find people whose communication style doesn’t work well with yours. If you get the job, it will also set you up for success.
PROPERTY MANAGER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (How to Pass a Property Management Interview)
FAQ
What are your weaknesses as a property manager?
How do I pass a property manager interview?
What does an estate manager do in an interview?
The interviewer is trying to determine if the Estate Manager has the necessary experience to oversee the estate. This includes managing the property, finances, and staff. It is important to have someone in this role who is organized and has experience in these areas. Example: “I have experience in managing estates of all sizes.
What is a good interview question for estate management?
In the realm of estate management, guest or family satisfaction is paramount. When an interviewer poses this question, they’re looking to assess your problem-solving skills, your ability to handle stress and your knack for delivering high-quality customer service.
Why does an estate manager ask a question?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the estate manager’s ability to care for the property and improve its condition. This is important because the estate manager is responsible for ensuring that the property is well-maintained and in good condition. 1.
How do I prepare for an estate manager interview?
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your estate manager interview. Knowing the estate you wish to manage will give you an excellent insight into how to approach your interview. You can tailor your responses to fit the estate’s goals and show your potential employer that you are familiar with their goals.
