Career Advice

Increasing focus on sustainability and mixed use development make architecture and construction attractive career choices for creative, environmentally conscious young people. An analytical mind, creative problem solving skills and the ability to manage tasks and people are among the qualifications for success in these professions. Specialized study and certification are required for careers in these promising fields.

Successful brokers usually possess undergraduate and advanced degrees along with sharp business and communication skills necessary to work with corporations, tenants and institutional investors. Real estate agents representing buyers, sellers, owners and tenants must be state-licensed. Most commercial agents specialize in one area, such as industrial properties or retail. In recent years, more women have been pursuing careers in this rewarding field.

Development is especially attractive to self motivated, creative entrepreneurs who are equally skilled at nurturing talent and building strong teams. Developers acquire land and prepare it for development, overseeing planning, design and construction. A broad skill set, including financing, asset and property management, marketing and demographic analysis and knowledge of design and construction, are required for success in retail real estate development.

Shopping centers have become increasingly important investment vehicles through Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), pension funds and larger insurance companies, increasing job opportunities in this growing specialty. Staff positions often require an MBA and specialized training in market trends, tax law, regulatory guidelines, economic and demographic analysis and global and political developments.

Managing shopping center properties also requires the ability to work with many different professionals, as well as excellent negotiation and public relations skills. Management involves maximizing revenues and productivity based on rent, tenant retention and operations. Most property managers start on-site and eventually work their way up the ranks to managing a portfolio of several properties.

Individuals with undergraduate degrees in advertising, public relations and communications can pursue many exciting careers in retail real estate. Most shopping centers have internal marketing and communications departments and opportunities to move up the corporate ladder exist in large development and management firms with multiple sites as well. National and international retail chains require fresh talent to build brands in the new age of consumerism. Organizational, interpersonal communication and writing skills are critical, along with proficiency in the latest technology and the ability to handle multiple projects at once.

Major retailing companies typically have real estate departments charged with identifying suitable properties in which they can set up shop. Those in retail real estate departments evaluate options for store expansions and relocations. Sound analytical and negotiation skills are essential for this function that is key to a company’s progress.

Law, public service, research and academia are among many other professions related to retail real estate. Developers and shopping center managers often consult legal counsel on development, leases and contracts and all of the many issues related to operating public space. Since shopping malls often anchor revitalization plans in cities, suburbs and rural areas, public officials work in partnership with the industry on strategies to stimulate local economies.

Career Builder (www.careerbuilder.com)

FlipDog (www.flipdog.com)

Hot Jobs (www.hotjobs.com)

Monster (www.monster.com)

Crain’s New York Business (www.crainesnewyork.com)

Commercial Real Estate Professionals (www.crenex.com)

I Hire Real Estate (www.ihirerealestate.com)

Real Estate Job Store (www.realestatejobstore.com)

Real-Jobs (www.real-jobs.com)

Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com)

American Planning Association (www.planning.org)

American Real Estate Society (www.aresnet.org)

Appraisal Institute (www.appraisalinstitute.org)

Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA) International

Certified Commercial Investment Member (www.ccim.com)

Commercial Real Estate Women’s (CREW) Network (www.crewnetwork.org)

Counselors of Real Estate (www.cre.com)

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (www.lincolninst.edu)

National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (www.nahrep.org)

National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (www,naiop.org)

National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (www.nareit.org)

Real Estate Associate Program (www.realtor.org)

Real Estate Executive Council (www.reec.org)

Real Estate Research Institute (www.reri.org)

Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (www.sior.com)

The Real Estate Roundtable (www.rer.org)

Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org)

Alpha Sigma Gamma (www.aresnet.org)

American Collegiate Retailing Association (www.acraretail.org)

Delta Epsilon Chi (www.deltaepsilonchi.org)

Your resumé makes a lasting first impression, so invest the time in preparing one that best reflects your education, experience, skills and attributes. In addition to listing academic and professional credentials, including internships and parttime or summer jobs, be sure to highlight specific technical skills, language fluency, study abroad experiences, community service and special hobbies and interests.

References from professors and past employers provide an objective view of your skills, capabilities and work ethic. Don’t hesitate to ask these individuals to write a reference letter on your behalf. It’s best to make this request while you are still in regular contact so you are at top of mind. Be sure reference letters are on professional letterheads with current contact information in the event a prospective employer wishes to follow up. Make sure you have contact information for at least three academic, professional and personal references every time you go on a job interview, and always keep copies of written reference letters in your files.

Relationship-building is key in retail real estate and it’s never too soon to start cultivating business contacts. Look first toward friends and family members who may know someone in the business. Consult professors and on-campus career services offices. Other sources for networking include alumni associations, sororities and fraternities and volunteer organizations. Some of the best networking opportunities arise from casual conversations with strangers and acquaintances. Don’t let an opportunity pass you by to practice striking up conversations with strangers and perfecting the art of “small talk.” It’s a skill that you can’t exercise enough and that delivers many rewards in your career of choice.

As you identify people who might be able to guide you in your job search, ask if you could visit with them in person or at the very least, speak by phone. Make it clear you are seeking general career advice, not a job. Thank the individual for their time and ask if you can check back with him or her periodically, by phone or email. Staying in contact will keep you at top of mind if a job opportunity materializes. Also ask if other colleagues might be willing to meet with you to help you learn more about the industry.

Learning doesn’t end once you earn your degree. In fact, your professional education is just beginning. Take advantage of all of the resources available to stay current on the retail real estate industry. Search the Internet for the latest news and job postings. Visit websites of professional associations and companies you would like to work for. Read trade publications such as Shopping Centers Today, Chain Store Age, and Crain’s as well as general business periodicals like Business Week, The Economist and Fortune. Make reading CNN.com, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other news sources part of your daily routine.

Some students wish to continue their education beyond an undergraduate degree, and some specialties require graduate work for certification. Other professionals decide to return to school mid-career for training that complements their work experience. What ever the case, there are many fine graduate programs in the United States and abroad and plenty of resources to help you find the most suitable program including guidebooks that rank business programs, such as Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. The Directory of Real Estate Development and Related Education Programs by the Urban Land Institute is updated regularly and is another informative resource.

Employers appreciate real-world experience, in addition to academic training. Intern ships provide an excellent way to learn more about the industry and often lead to fulltime positions, or at the very least, new industry contacts.

• Customize your resumé and cover letter for the job you are applying for.


• Follow up an email application with hard copies of your resuméby mail to a specific contact.


• Review the company’s website and prepare smart questions to express your interest in the position.


• Make sure your voicemail greetings and email addresses are professional, and that nothing negative would turn up about you if a prospective employer conducted a background check or online search.


• Dress for success in classic business attire.


• Be on time, greet your pro spective employer with a smile and firm handshake and be courteous and polite to everyone you encounter.


• Bring copies of your resumé and reference letters to the interview.


• Respond promptly with any additional information the interviewer may request.


• If the interviewer doesn’t suggest a next step, politely ask when he or she expects to make a decision. Mark your calendar and follow up.


• Send a personal thank-you note after the interview, even if you are not interested in the job. Courtesy and graciousness always stand out.

While industry experience is valuable, today’s hiring managers report that it isn’t mandatory to be considered as a serious job candidate. An informal survey of ICSC members revealed the following advice for today’s job-seekers:

• Demonstrate strong business judgment, problem-solving skills and the capability to manage complex projects.


• Build business relationships and maintain them: networking is the most critical tool for success in this industry.


• Study and understand the consumer—what they need, what they want and how to deliver it to them.


• Develop fluency in multiple languages. Study the politics and culture of countries with emerging markets and be geographically flexible in considering job assignments. Geographic mobility increases employment opportunities and chances for more rapid career advancement.


• Become an expert in data, time and budget management. Every specialty in the field of retail real estate requires the ability to organize and analyze information and to make the most efficient use of time and money.


• Think strategically and keep an open mind. Plan your career path, stay focused on your goals and work hard to achieve them.

So, how do prospective employers recruit nowadays? Through ICSC’s online resumé database and, not surprisingly at the top of the list, networking.