Advice for recent graduates on job market?
Hey guys,
Like the title says, I just graduated in May with a degree in RE and Finance, but I’ve been having a very tough time landing an entry level role. 

Dream role would be acquisitions at a REPE or similar investment firm, but at this point I’m looking into everything. 

Do you guys have any advice on where to look? Tips on how to get ahead? 

Thanks in advance
[{"id": "fzqgi3w", "text": "Call agents. Offer to demonstrate your skills by showing them a piece of work you created. Watt state are you located in?", "replies": [{"id": "fzqgtdk", "text": "New England, but willing to relocate. \n\nDefinitely an interesting idea there, do you think agents would be looking for analysts?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqh6iz", "text": "Difficult time to join a RE firm I think. \n\nMaybe a bank as an analyst for a year or two and get your mba at a decent school, then start applying? Banks will likely pay for part or all of your mba.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqi6eb", "text": "Yeah,  call then and all if you can send them am example of your work (model something out to send). Let me know if you need any help. Senior analyst at a CRE finance shop for 6 years.", "replies": [{"id": "fzqiogu", "text": "Could I PM you?", "replies": [{"id": "fzqk504", "text": "Yeah", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqjn2e", "text": "I graduated in 2008 and you may be in worse shape. I'd dial every office you'd be interested in working for and ask for an interview. This shows initiative and willingness do do the uncomfortable work to build a client base.\n\nThe upshot is if you're gainfully employed when most of the country is struggling there are a lot of savings and investment opportunities.", "replies": [{"id": "fzqk8nk", "text": "Thank you, that\u2019s a great idea. I imagine when there\u2019s no need for an analyst it will at least be good networking.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqkpc5", "text": "TLDR: Figure out where you want to work, then make nice with their HR gatekeeper.\n\nI entered the RE job market during the last financial crisis and really wanted to be at one particular firm.  It took me about a year to get hired due to hiring freezes, then prioritization of internal candidates over external.  I got my foot in the door by having honest discussions with one of the gatekeepers in HR \\[basically, \"look, I really really would like to work here for the long term and am willing to start at any position but here's what Im really interested in. Looking at my resume, do you have a few positions in mind for a candidate like me? Here's why I love your company... \\[blahblahblah\\]. I'll keep looking at the postings, but would you mind reaching out maybe if something opens up that you think would be a good fit?\"\\].  You want them to actually like you, so don't be too stiff and formal.  I spoke to the HR rep every couple of weeks and built up a good rapport.  Eventually she reached out to me with a position without even posting it.  10 years later and Im still here, much higher up the food chain.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqmx9l", "text": "Take any position to get in the door. There is going to be lots of foreclosure workout positions open soon.", "replies": [{"id": "fzzn1fn", "text": "Do you have any case studies on workouts? The thing that makes this so different from 2008 financial crisis is that there is going to be a lot of emphasis on salvaging assets and working with borrowers.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqna17", "text": "Unless got it at school(often Ivy league caliper only) it is through personal contact. It will take a while. Go get a realtor license for now.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqphmy", "text": "This isn\u2019t directed personally at you - just in general. EVERY person who graduates college and wants to get into CRE wants to do acquisitions at an REPE firm. These jobs are incredibly competitive even in a booming economy. My suggestion would be to get your RE license in case you find a capital markets team you can get on and, like everyone else said, hammer the phone/email/LinkedIn to make some connections", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzqt21l", "text": "Definitely network, and use your connections. Brush up on your Excel skills for any case study interviews you may land. Try looking for a mentor to help guide you or give you some advice as well.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzrmzod", "text": "Look into appraisal, it's a great gateway into the industry, either commercial or residential, and you learn extensively about the market in a much more intimate, involved setting than college could ever provide. \n\nAfter a few years appraising, you can transition to just about any real estate position with the knowledge and experience you've gained.", "replies": [{"id": "fzu4ejy", "text": "I see you\u2019re getting downvoted, but appraisal is actually what I\u2019m interested in doing - are you an appraiser? Just wondering if you could tell me more about the job, if so.", "replies": [{"id": "fzubwoi", "text": "Yeah, not sure why. I got my start as a commercial real estate appraiser out of college, and it was a terrific introduction to the market. You get hands-on, granular experience with a wide range of property types which you won't find anywhere else. If you're a numbers guy, it can be a great career, or a path to something else within the real estate field.\n\nAs an appraiser, you'll write appraisal reports for commercial properties, ranging from apartments to office buildings to golf courses. Reports are ordered by banks, the government, or private parties, and range from a few pages to a few hundred pages depending on the requirements. \n\nA large part of the job is the on-site inspection. About once a week you're out on the road inspecting a property, taking photos and measurements, speaking with the owner, etc. You'll also be out and about taking photos of similar properties to use as comparables.\n\nIf you have questions definitely shoot me a message. I recommend looking into commercial real estate appraisal firms in your area, and maybe setting up a lunch with the owner to pick his brain.", "replies": [{"id": "fzwmgdu", "text": "I also started my career in valuation/appraisal. Definitely an underrated job to start your career. Yes, you don\u2019t get any transactional experience, but you get exposed to all property types, and in my case was all across the country. Will become very fluent in Argus. Was able to transition over to AM at a top 50 firm in the PERE 100. Had colleagues transition over to lenders, developers, top tier brokerages, etc.", "replies": [{"id": "fzwnjbl", "text": "Very nice, also excellent username.\n\nI totally agree. Even on the transactional experience, you become intimately -familiar with whatever transaction you're working on from all three sides (bank, buyer, seller). I personally moved into development, absolutely love it.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzt8dfh", "text": "As others have echoed REPE is great but pretty competitive and in this market it may be tough.  That said you need to narrow your search by niche and market.   Then reach out to a few people on LinkedIn and ask for a phone call. Really utilize your network (friends, family, alumni, etc.).\n\nAlso there may not be any acquisitions roles open now but there will definitely be opportunities where you can transition into it.  Look at lenders because a lot of them are going to have start doing workouts soon and that is a great way to learn. \n\nOne last thing, when you reach out to people have something to say.  You can ask about their experience or how they got into their role, but also give them a reason to want to talk with you.  Why are you interested in xyz?\n\nGood luck.  I graduated in 2008 and feel your pain.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fztmbzl", "text": "Hop on LinkedIn and look at people doing what you wanna do. Reach out to them. Messages, etc. Have a good reason to contact them. \n\nEveryone wants to do acquisitions at a REPE straight out of school. What's your backup?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzu1t2c", "text": "Look into brokerage. Try to get in with the biggest shop you can (CBRE/JLL/CW/etc). Aim for investment sales, but leasing is good experience too. Should be able to switch over to an acquisitions role in a year or 2. Look into appraisal as well. Not a terrible place to start a career.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzvyt9y", "text": "[selectleaders.com](https://selectleaders.com) is a great resource for good CRE jobs. I'm an associate at a mortgage banking shop (graduated in 2015), feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions. \n\nIt's going to be tough to get into an REPE firm right out of school, especially right now. Asset management (not property management) is a great place to start if you want to get into REPE/development down the road.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "g05gs1p", "text": "Recommend starting at a brokerage shop or lender. PERE will typically require a few years experiences unless you\u2019re ivy (which no one likes to hear, trust me I know). Target larger firms with analyst programs who have bandwidth for training on the job. \n\nRather than sending yourself into the \u2018great filter\u2019 of online applications (which I personally had 0% success with) I\u2019d recommend searching for HR contacts at your target company. Dig up their email. Send a short message and resume to them early in the AM and be top of their inbox. After 2 years in banking, that worked for me. \n\nWould recommend exploring every single direct contact you have in the industry, setting up as many calls w alumni you can that are in the space. Also reach out to CRE specific recruiters directly (with offices in your target location) set up a call with them and see where things go. For me, even though recruiters didn\u2019t work for finding my first job, years later they approached me with the acquisitions/developer job I have now. Relationships w recruiters matter, and once your build rapport with them (and also send along candidates for roles they post) they will serve as mentors for comp and career path. It never hurts to have someone in your corner who helps w negotiations. I\u2019d recommend knowing at least 3 recruiters to bounce stuff off of just to keep things straight.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "g1t1z0l", "text": "Focus on industrial. Everyone is hiring like crazy.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]