The war for top talent is the biggest challenge for 2016, according to London estate agents Portico, as it introduces a golden handshake of £1,000 to all candidates filling current job vacancies.
Meanwhile, Purplebricks has launched a search for local property experts in 17 regions of the country stretching from Cornwall to Aberdeen, as it looks to double the number of local representatives from 150 by this time next year. It is specifying individuals who can deliver “everything you’d expect from the very best traditional estate agent more efficiently and cost effectively”.
The Portico golden handshake applies whether the candidate gets the job through the agent’s own website or word of mouth, or through a recruitment consultant, or through EYE’s jobs board.
Since the Portico brand was launched almost 12 months ago, the company has more than doubled the number of valuations booked each month, and has launched a recruitment drive to keep pace with the volume of new business enquiries.
Portico already employs 120 staff, but the company is looking to hire a further 20 by the end of the year.
Managing director Robert Nichols said: “There is no doubt that finding the best talent in London estate agency is the biggest challenge facing us this year.”
The vacancies are in the company’s eleven offices, where Portico is looking to hire sales and lettings consultants immediately.
Portico is also looking to grow its team of in-house tradesmen by adding a handyman, an electrician and a gas engineer.
The company has further expansion plans for 2017, including new business development and managerial positions.
The £1,000 sign-up bonus is payable straightaway to new joiners.
As for the benefits, they look impressive and make us wonder whether these are par for the course in London at the moment.
All employees get an annual, all-expenses trip abroad, there are free company lunches, regular company socials, plus a training and development programme.
The company’s fleet of branded cars is also a key attraction, with managers driving a Range Rover Evoque, while consultants use A-class Mercedes on viewings and valuations.
Comments (8)
I was told the other day of a PB’s local expert in our area who when was asked back to discuss a valuation with a view to going on the market, said he wouldn’t be back in “THE AREA” for 3 weeks!
I interviewed a local property expert. His territory stretched 70 miles which, if my O’level maths is correct, is an area of 3,848 sq.miles. I understand why it’s hard to find someone with that much knowledge.
As 1 branch we cover 35 miles end to end and I thought that was pretty tough but 70 miles end to end for one person is ridiculous!!!
DISTANCE is only a logistical headache, Clarkuk – it’s more about the number of chimneypots in the patch and how anyone is expected to be able to service them that is the issue with these Call-Centre Agent jobbies…
But they CAN’T deliver everything that a traditional agent can:
Article reads: It is specifying individuals who can deliver “everything you’d expect from the very best traditional estate agent more efficiently and cost effectively”.
** Of late I have been working with more agents showing them how to win more listings by offering clients greater sub agent exposure. budget agency ALONE can’t offer this as fees are too low to sub out. As such low cost agency are not able to offer full traditional agency services.
Pretty cheap and tacky advert for your services Trevor.
Oh, dear, Mr Mealham.
An opportunity presented itself (at least somewhere in YOUR mind it did…) – and you simply couldn’t resist the temptation for a sneaky self-plug…. could you?
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news – but it was an undisputed, cataclysmic #fail
He also put the same comment up word for word down the other pub on a completely different story.
Guessing times are hard and not many agents see the benefit of splitting their commissions with other agents and paying for the privilege.