Stop Hiring for Experience. Start Hiring for Curiosity.

In an industry facing ongoing staffing shortages, many employers continue searching for the "perfect" candidate. Someone with years of multifamily experience, knowledge of property management software, and a resume that checks every box.

The problem? Those candidates are becoming harder to find.

Meanwhile, talented people from hospitality, retail, construction, customer service, facilities management, and other industries are often overlooked simply because they haven't worked in property management before. It may be time to rethink what makes a great hire.

Hiring Tips

Experience Gets Someone Started. Curiosity Helps Them Grow.

Technical skills can be taught. Company policies can be learned. Software can be mastered.

What can't be trained as easily is a genuine desire to learn.

Curious employees ask questions, seek feedback, and look for better ways to solve problems instead of settling for "the way it's always been done." They adapt quickly when priorities change and embrace new technologies instead of resisting them.

In an industry that continues to evolve (from AI-powered leasing tools to smart building technology), those traits matter more than ever.

Property Management Changes Too Fast for Static Skill Sets

Today's communities operate differently than they did just five years ago.

Teams are expected to:

• Learn new property management platforms.

• Adapt to changing resident expectations.

• Navigate evolving compliance requirements.

• Use new maintenance technologies.

• Deliver exceptional customer service with leaner teams.

Hiring someone based solely on what they already know can leave you with employees who struggle to adapt. However, hiring someone who loves learning gives you an employee who continues growing alongside your business.

Look Beyond the Resume

Instead of focusing exclusively on years of industry experience, consider looking for evidence of adaptability.

Ask questions like:

• Tell me about a time you had to learn something completely new.

• What's a skill you've taught yourself recently?

• Describe a challenge you solved without having all the answers.

• How do you stay current in your field?

The answers often reveal far more than a list of previous job titles.

Some of the Best Property Management Employees Didn't Start Here

Many successful property management professionals began their careers elsewhere, but bring critical skill sets to the industry.

• Former hotel employees understand hospitality and guest service.

• Retail professionals know how to build relationships and handle difficult conversations.

• Construction and skilled trades workers bring valuable technical expertise.

• Military veterans often excel in teamwork, accountability, and problem-solving.

People from these backgrounds frequently become high-performing professionals because they're eager to learn and bring fresh perspectives to familiar challenges.

Hire for Potential, Train for Success

Curiosity isn't a replacement for training; it's what makes training effective.

Organizations that invest in onboarding, mentoring, and ongoing professional development often see stronger engagement, better retention, and employees who are prepared to take on larger roles over time.

When people feel supported in learning, they're more likely to stay and grow with your organization.

Find Your Next Standout Employee

Experience will always have value. But in today's hiring market, it shouldn't be the only qualification that matters.

Your next standout employee may not have years of industry experience. But they may have something even more valuable: the curiosity to learn, the adaptability to grow, and the drive to become exactly the professional your team needs.

Instead of asking, "Have they done this before?"

Try asking, "How quickly can they learn what's next?"

That question may lead you to your best hire yet.

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The right candidate isn’t always the one with the longest resume. Find professionals who bring the curiosity, adaptability, and work ethic needed to succeed in today’s evolving property management environment.