Bradley Hall is a full-service property firm with more than 30 years’ worth of experience across the North East and Yorkshire. However, we are so much more than that, we spoke to a number of members of the team about advice they would give to those who would like a career in property. We heard from individuals such as chartered surveyors, to Associate Director, Principal Surveyor/Valuation & Consultancy, and Senior Mortgage & Protection Manager.
Q. What advice would you give to those who would like a career in property?
A. Joseph l’Anson, Associate Director: “My advice all the time, whenever I get a new starter is, particularly bearing in mind Bradley Hall is a North East and Yorkshire based firm, is to know the area. I think that is a massive advantage, and to know a lot of people. To know a lot of different places around the North East, to get a bearing on various areas, particularly property values. It depends which area you are going to go into, but I think that always puts people at a massive advantage as that is often what people want to know.
“I think the other thing is obviously you’ve got to work hard. You might have to take it on the chin a little bit and do some of the dirty work initially, but then, if you just work hard and keep yourself grounded and focused, and listen to good advice from those that are above you, particularly the directors at Bradley Hall.”
A. Lauren Gill, Senior Property Executive: “You are never too young, you are never too old. Experience will always grow if you stick at it, eventually you will get it, and your career is endless. There is so many possibilities and different routes you can go down, there is not just one element of the job, there is so many different elements so you might not like one part of the job, but you might love another part.”
A. Gary Dobson, Senior Mortgage & Protection Manager: “I’d say obviously, get your exams done and do your homework because I think the environment of mortgages criteria, banks have changes massively over the last five years.
“I think it’s just about learning all of the time – I’ve been here 14 years and I am just continually learning all of the time. Just do your homework, keep on top of any changes in the market including rates, and keep doing your professional development.”
A. James Thompson, Chartered Building Surveyor: “For building surveying, it’s just got to be work hard, work hard, work hard. When you are at university, work hard, on your dissertation, work hard, and then as soon as you finish at university, get onto your APC and work hard, do not leave it to the last minute. If you keep on top of it and work hard it makes it ten times easier than leaving it all to the last minute and trying to do it all then.”
A. Callum Armstrong, Charted Surveyor: “Many things but I’d say you have to be confident; you have to be concise and know what you are talking about. Most importantly you’ve got to be polite.”
A. Darron Barker, Principal Surveyor/Valuation & Consultancy: “I would say, expect to work hard, you never stop learning, and have a positive commitment. Try and enjoy all aspects of the property profession.”
