How to write a motivation for applying for a property management position (mid-career) and key points

The property management industry is an attractive option for many people looking to advance their careers as a field with stable demand and expertise. Especially if you are considering a career change as a manager, it is important that your motivation resonate with the hiring manager, not merely your work history and experience. This article explains how to write a compelling motivation for a management position at a property management company.

Points to Include in a Motivation for Application

When applying for a mid-career management position, you can make a strong impression on the hiring manager by including the following important points in your motivation

• Why property management? Compare the position with other positions and your own experience, and be persuasive if you have a specific story to tell, such as "I was attracted to property management because of its continuous involvement in property values.

• Willingness to use IT to improve operations: Technology is the key to modern property management. Involvement in improving operational efficiency and services through IT, such as the introduction of cloud-based property management systems and the use of IoT devices, is a major strength. In fact, efforts are underway to streamline operations and increase tenant satisfaction through the introduction of smart locks and management software, and technology is dramatically improving the efficiency and accuracy of management operations. Show that you can hone your IT skills and contribute to improving business processes.

• Contribute to increasing asset value: For property management companies, protecting and increasing the value of the owner's assets is an important mission. It is well known that properties with high quality management tend to have lower asset values over time, and people who can commit to this as managers are attractive. For example, you should demonstrate your desire to make a specific contribution to increasing asset value by saying, "I have experience in taking measures to improve the vacancy rate and increase earnings, thereby contributing to the improvement of the property's asset value," or "I want to maintain and improve the long-term value of the building by optimizing its maintenance and management plan.

• Reason for choosing the company: Your motivation should clearly state "Why our company and not another company? Since there are many property management companies, include the features and philosophy of the company you are applying for. In the case of INA&Associates, it is important to give specific reasons such as "I was attracted by the company's innovative business model that seeks to eliminate information asymmetry through technology," and "I empathize with the company's human resource-oriented management philosophy and want to contribute through human resource development. Include the results of your company research and demonstrate your understanding of and enthusiasm for the company to which you are applying.

• Future Vision: It is also important to state your vision of how you would like to grow and what you would like to achieve after joining the company. Companies are looking for people who will be active over the long term, so by talking about how you would like to contribute to the company as a manager in five or ten years, you can match the direction of the company. For example, "In the future, I want to be in charge of the entire 00 department and be able to provide industry-leading management services," or some other specific vision of the future.

By covering the above points and tying them to your own experience and strengths, you can create depth and originality in your motivation.

Perspectives and skills required for management positions

Mid-career hires in management positions are expected to have not only knowledge of field operations, but also a managerial perspective and leadership skills. The following is a summary of the main perspectives and skills expected of managers at a property management company such as ours.

• People Development and Leadership: Managers are responsible for leading and developing their teams, and as INA&Associates believes, "Without people, a company cannot grow. By incorporating your own management experience (e.g., planning and implementing a training plan for new employees, establishing a knowledge sharing system within the department, etc.), you should demonstrate that you can "maximize the use of human resources and enhance the strength of the team as a whole. It is effective to convey your belief that the growth of each employee leads to the improvement of corporate value, and that you have a viewpoint to nurture the next generation of human resources.

• Improving operational efficiency and problem solving: Property management involves many complicated procedures and routine tasks. Whether or not these tasks can be improved without neglecting them is a test of the manager's skill. If you have experience in improving productivity by identifying on-site issues, introducing IT, or revamping workflow, please share it with us. Episodes such as, "We introduced the XX system to simplify the contract management process, which resulted in a reduction of fat hours of work per year," will be a strong source of appeal. In recent years, DX (Digital Transformation) has been progressing in the property management field, and there is a need to improve operational efficiency and service quality by utilizing the latest technology. Demonstrate that you have the problem-solving skills to identify problems and take corrective measures on your own, as well as IT literacy.

• Strategic eye for improving profitability: Management must be aware of the profitability of the department or business. In property management operations, it is important to improve profitability by increasing occupancy rates and reducing costs. Experience in developing strategies to maximize rental income, optimize repair costs, and diversify income sources by providing additional services, all of which demonstrate business acumen, is a great advantage. In fact, it is said that a good property manager must have the financial acumen to "optimize rental income, reduce operating costs, and maximize asset value. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate "how they have contributed to improving profitability" through their own past performance, using specific figures. For example, "I improved the vacancy rate of the property I was in charge of by 0%, which contributed to an increase in annual revenue of △△ million yen," etc. If you can directly relate your achievements, you will be highly evaluated as an immediate asset with a management perspective.

By conveying the above perspectives and skills in your application motive and interviews, you will be more likely to be recognized as someone who can grow the team and the business as a manager. Emphasize that you have specific skills and perspectives, rather than simply a "I'll do my best" attitude.

Examples of specific measures to increase persuasiveness

The biggest key to persuasiveness in your motivation for applying for a job is specificity. By including episodes and examples of measures backed up by past experience and achievements, you can change the motivation from a mere appeal of enthusiasm to a conviction that "this person will deliver results. Below are some examples of concrete measures that can be effectively incorporated into the motivation for a managerial position.

• IT implementation experience: "At my previous job, I implemented a cloud-based property management system that reduced the lead time for contract renewal procedures by 0%. I would like to use this experience to help improve operations at your company by utilizing IT" is an example of showing a track record of business improvement through the use of IT. By providing specific examples of how the introduction of technology has improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, you can impress the reader with your ability to make an immediate impact.

• Human Resource Development Initiatives: "Under my guidance, XX new employees became certified real estate agents, leading to the professional development of the entire team. I would like to further develop this experience and contribute to the growth of employees at your company, which places a high value on human resources. By showing your accomplishments, rather than simply saying "we value people," you simultaneously convey your sympathy for our philosophy and your willingness to make a tangible contribution.

• Results of improving profitability and value: "We thoroughly implemented measures to increase the occupancy rate of the properties in our charge, and improved the vacancy rate from 15% to 5% in the previous year. As a result, I was able to contribute to the improvement of the owner's asset value, which was very rewarding" is an example of showing the contribution to revenue and asset value in figures. It is considered important in the motivation for applying for property management to show what kind of results you can achieve after joining the company, based on your past achievements. The key to persuasiveness is to base your appeal on specific achievements, rather than generalizations that can be made about anyone.

• Experience in problem-solving projects: "I led a renewal project for an aging property that improved tenant satisfaction and reduced turnover. This improved the brand value of the property and led to strengthening its competitiveness over the medium to long term. Episodes of proactively solving problems and achieving results as a manager strongly impresses the applicant's leadership and ability to execute.

These are just a few examples, but the important thing is to choose specific episodes that are relevant to the company you are applying for and the business area. Reflect on your own experiences and highlight accomplishments that match the "challenges that may be required by the company you are applying for. Even if you have little direct experience in the property management industry, it is important to be prepared to make concrete suggestions about what measures you can implement using the skills you have developed in other industries. The key to creating a motivation that resonates with the hiring manager is to view it as "a declaration of what you want to accomplish after joining the company," and to convey a clear picture of the measures and goals you want to achieve.

Example of a motivation for applying to INA&Associates K.K. based on its philosophy and empathy with it

Finally, assuming that the company you are applying to is INA&Associates K.K., here is an example and explanation of a motivation for applying that is in sympathy with the company's corporate philosophy. As mentioned at the beginning of this document, our company's important pillars are "Focus on Human Resources," "Sustainable Management," and "Contribution to Society. Therefore, by mentioning these in your motivation for application and showing empathy and a concrete desire to contribute, you can show that you are highly adaptable to our company.

Example of motivation for application (for INA&Associates):.
In my previous position as manager of a regional office, I worked to develop human resources and improve operations. I strongly agree with INA&Associates' philosophy that the most important asset of a company is its people, and I would like to help INA&Associates revolutionize real estate management through technology. I was also attracted by INA&Associates' vision of using technology to revolutionize real estate management and to leverage local human resources. I would like to contribute to improving the asset value of owners' properties by applying the experience I have gained through IT-based operational improvements at your company. I am also deeply impressed by your company's mission to realize a society in which all people are fairly evaluated and rewarded. I would like to contribute my best to your company, aiming to become a manager who can enhance organizational strength through human resource development, establish a sustainable management foundation, and contribute to society.

Explanation: In the above example, first, you demonstrate your ability to work immediately by citing specific results from your previous position ( e.g., a 20% improvement in operational efficiency). Next, you mention INA&Associates' philosophy of "focusing on human resources" and clearly state that you share this philosophy. He emphasized that he not only shares the philosophy, but also has experience in human resource development, so his values and achievements match with the company ' s philosophy. He also stated that he was attracted to the company's vision of "revolutionizing property management through technology" and "utilizing local human resources," and demonstrated his deep interest in and understanding of the company to which he was applying. He also stated that he would like to "contribute to the improvement of owners' asset values" and set forth the specific contribution he would like to make as an applicant. Finally, while mentioning his sympathy for the company's social mission (contributing to the realization of a fair society), the applicant also explains how he can contribute to the realization of that mission, thereby demonstrating that the corporate philosophy and the applicant's own vision are in line with each other. By overlapping the philosophy and vision of the company you wish to work for with your own experiences and goals, you can create a very persuasive motivation for applying.

Conclusion

To summarize the key points in creating a motivation for mid-career recruitment for a real estate manager position, the keywords are **"specificity" and "understanding and empathy with the company "**. This will help you differentiate yourself from other applicants. The reason for applying is not just self-promotion; it is also a declaration of what you hope to accomplish after joining the company. INA&Associates is looking forward to meeting people who are both enthusiastic and competent, and who can grow with us. We hope that you will find this article useful in preparing your motivation for application. We sincerely look forward to meeting you at the recruiting stage.