Ultimate recruitment search: Do you have what it takes to make it in real estate?

Peter Hishon owns both the Tall Poppy Wanaka and Central Otago franchises. He says while it might feel counterintuitive for someone to make a career change when the number of real estate licences issued are declining, he says doing it now will work in the lucky rookie’s favour.

“It’s actually an advantage to begin at the start of a market recovery - there’s never a right time to start, but beginning when you have time to learn the ropes and build a strong foundation will position you better than coming in at the top of a property boom.

"All too often, when someone completely new joins the industry, they’re left to sink or swim on their own. I’ve seen it happen, and we want to show people it doesn’t need to be that way,” he says.

Some of our top performing agents have joined the company from the building sector, Police, fashion, business and interior design. One example is Cromwell and Queenstown Tall Poppy Business Owner Keeley Anderson, who entered the industry in 2019 and draws on her experience in sales and marketing within luxury fashion and publishing. Peter says while it might not seem like an obvious transition, great communication and customer service skills transcend industries.

“As a real estate agent you’re there to help people make what will likely be their biggest purchase. Work and life experience from different paths and industries makes it that much easier to help people when they’re at their most vulnerable; and of course honesty and integrity are two of the greatest things you can bring,” says Peter.