<\/p>\n
An interest in property led Philip Rees to a career as an Acquisitions Manager.<\/em><\/p>\n I had a number of part-time jobs when I was younger, my first being in Salto, a gym in Lisburn, I then worked in The Empire and two days a week in McGeown Estate Agents when I was at university. I also spent time shadowing property developers in Belfast gaining hands on experience of the industry. Since leaving university, I have held a number of business development and marketing roles for companies in a variety of industries including a social housing company gaining valuable experience in this sector and as marketing manager for Balloo Hire.<\/p>\n Art or Geography.<\/p>\n I studied Urban Planning and Property Development at the Ulster University from 2007-2010.<\/p>\n My uncle owns a large commercial property firm in Ontario, Canada, and he inspired me. During school, I carried out work experience spending one week in an architects office and one week in commercial agents, Osborne King. It was great to get experience of how both operated and I decided being an architect wasn\u2019t for me.<\/p>\n The commercial agents was fast-paced, meeting clients and attending viewings. I had the opportunity to meet several developers, some of the biggest in Belfast and Northern Ireland, and it gave me a taste of my future career.<\/p>\n Over the next few years, I gained further summer work experience within the property industry and through contacts I met, learning more than any books could\u2019ve taught me.<\/p>\n My advice to anyone wanting to get into an area of interest is to just talk to people, don\u2019t be afraid to reach out and ask for work experience.<\/p>\n I always wanted to be involved in property. At MCG Investments the scale of our projects are varied from identifying and sourcing buy to let investment opportunities for investors, to working on larger commercial projects, it\u2019s exactly the role\u00a0 I\u2019ve always wanted.<\/p>\n I get great satisfaction from our construction project management service as I love to see the older, derelict properties in our city being transformed and restored, which in turn is helping to create more housing opportunities for our communities.<\/p>\n No \u2018qualifications\u2019 as such. Knowing the market, areas of potential and knowing when to walk away is gained from experience, not learned from a book or quick course. It takes time to build up the knowledge and common sense too.<\/p>\n You could come from an agency or property industry background.<\/p>\n My role requires good communication skills, organisational and time management skills, problem solving, attention to detail and being able to build relationships with agents.<\/p>\n No day is ever the same I could be meeting with the MCG Investment team to go over project and figures, going to viewings for properties for either\u00a0 our own portfolio or private clients \u2013 this ranges from single buy to lets, buy to flips, HMO\u2019s and larger commercial projects. Then it would be back to the office to work through the figures to make sure it is a commercially viable deal.<\/p>\n The best aspect is sale agreeing and then completing a property, sourcing property that exceeds a clients expectations. I also really enjoy talking with agents as I can see some three or four times a week!<\/p>\n The property industry is fast moving and ever changing \u2013 the challenge can be predicting the market and how high to go on, bidding wise, on a property or portfolio.<\/p>\n At MCG Investments, we provide a hassle free service for our clients as we understand time is very valuable.\u00a0 We take derelict properties and transform them into homes for families, students and young professionals \u2013 helping not only the individuals, but the local community too.<\/p>\n Decide what aspect of the industry you like. Get out there, gain experience and ask companies or business people you admire if you can shadow them \u2013 experience is priceless. Don\u2019t be put off if they say no, be consistent and always polite.<\/p>\n Take your time and don\u2019t rush.<\/p>\n Apply strategically. Don\u2019t apply for every job that you come across, think about what you would like to do, research the companies you would like to work for and take a strategic approach to your job search. Focus on jobs that align with your goals and priorities and tailor your application materials to each specific job you apply for. Don\u2019t copy and paste and just hope for the best \u2013 a well written CV, aligned to the job you are applying for will stand out.<\/p>\n Keep up to date with the latest news and views on the NI job market and more by following the nijobfinder blog.<\/p>\n Follow nijobfinder on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0to see the latest jobs and to ensure your dream job won\u2019t pass you by.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Post:\u00a0Acquisitions Manager,\u00a0MCG Investments The Post Holder:\u00a0Philip Rees An interest in property led Philip Rees to a career as an Acquisitions Manager. Give a brief outline of your career to date. I had a number of part-time jobs when I was younger, my first being in Salto, a gym in Lisburn, I then worked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3309,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3308","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nGive a brief outline of your career to date.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What was your favourite subject at school?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Did you go on to further\/higher education, if so what did you study and where?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
How did you get into your area of work?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Is this what you always wanted to do?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Are there alternative routes into the job?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What are the main personal skills your job requires?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What does a typical day entail?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Why is what you do important?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
And finally, what\u2019s the key to any successful job search?<\/strong><\/h4>\n