I prefer to hire leasing folks with no experience. Agree or Disagree?

I prefer to hire leasing folks with no experience. There is a bigger talent pool of folks with no experience. I prefer to train anew than to re-train. They will stay with the company longer.
Agree or Disagree?

100% agree

Totally agree!!

Some of our best fome from hotel background…

I hired my best leasing consultant from the hotel industry 2 years ago during the height of the covid pandemic. She was promoted to manager in January when I came off site and has killed it in that position as well.

Agree… Pretty much anyone can learn to fill out guest cards and do the base level admin work. But selling, attitude and spirit - that’s in their DNA.

Yes they dont have the bad work habits when they come and and dont think they know it all.

Seems like you just want to pay them less since they don’t have experience.

This! What's the point of having experience in an industry that prefers to hire entry level so they can "train" them. Sounds like "train" actually equals "pay the least".

Not sure how you came to this conclusion that the goal is to just pay less. Are you familiar with the story Moneyball?

I think the issue with your Leasing Agents with experience is why are they making a lateral move within the industry. Typically if they are a good leasing agent they will become an assistant or manager, etc.
I think hiring from other customer service roles is a good source for the applicant pool but if someone sucks at customer service they will when you hire them without experience too. I don't know if the experience is a really good deciding factor.
The income comment came from the fact that if you have less experience you will typically get a lower starting salary. Looking for people with no experience and excluding people with experience just sounded like you were trying to save money.
Stay Curious my friend.
Also, no I don't know the story Moneyball.

My back ground was senior living (an office manager). I love my job. Been here 7 years now.

Some of my best hires were found because they provided me exceptional service as servers and retail workers. I always use to hand out my cards "If you are ever looking for new opportunities call me!"

Never hired from within the industry.

Tend to agree! I hire for personality; I can teach PM but not a good attitude!

Agree. Give be someone with a customer service background.

Agree. But just the thought of training a newbie sends shivers down my back! Done it so many, many times. Not sure I could do it again.

Agree

Totally agree. I particularly love people from restaurant backgrounds because they are used to multitasking and being both slow and busy. Can't train personality, but can easily train the rest.

Agree! Most hospitality industry people bring a high level of customer service. You can train them on everything else.

It is easier to train than to re-train.

I will take anyone who has a great attitude, work ethic and truly cares about people. There have been very few that I have not been able to train to lease that had these qualities.

Prefer to hire based on the person, their desire to work for our company, experienced or not. We have hired both without experience, who became excellent employees and those with experience who are amazing at what they do.

I think there are pros either way depending on the situation you are in. If you are slammed and have little time for training than someone with experience can make a huge difference.
On the other hand, if you hire someone with no experience they don't have bad habits or other companies processes that you would need to train away. I realize training is very important but sometimes it's just the need to have someone to help that has some knowledge until you can get caught up to train more. Most of all It's the personality, attitude and work ethic that make all of the difference!!!

My company hired me with no experience and I discovered my dream job. I'm now a community manager at a small complex of 42 units and I'm never going to do anything else!

I love hiring team members with no leasing experience because it is an opportunity for me to not only teach, but mentor someone that has hunger to learn all things multi-family. These candidates have a fresh set of eyes that I may also learn from.

I have come from _ no judgement. I can teach someone the business _ lack of professionalism, customer service mindset, or a team player is hard . I have also experienced the prejudice conception that because of my age I am set in my ways, lack willingness to learn, fun and the gift my experience and proven track record brought on board... I worked hard , trained others to have great work ethics and techniques to be invisible .

100% agree! I hired one of the baristas from a Starbucks I regularly visit as a Property Manager, which was one of the best hires I have ever had.