Key takeaways
What property managers can take from David’s view of hiring
- Communication is the biggest reason people leave. When information stays at the top, staff assume nothing will change and start looking elsewhere, sometimes right before help was coming.
- Know the other triggers. Leadership changes, properties being won or lost, and salary gaps are the other common reasons David sees people move.
- The industry needs to recruit earlier. Most people fall into property management, so David is helping BOMA build a career guide to show high school and university students the path.
- Find a champion and build your network. Most moves happen because someone reached out, not through online job posts, so mentors and relationships matter.
- Personality wins jobs. David estimates personality is about 60% of whether someone gets hired, alongside ongoing education like an RPA, CPM, or FMA.
About the guest
DL
David Little
Co-Founder and Director, Foresight Recruitment Group
David co-founded Foresight Recruitment Group, which specializes in real estate and property management recruitment across Canada, in early 2024. He covers Alberta from Calgary while his business partner Nick covers British Columbia. David started recruiting in the U.K. more than 10 years ago and moved to Calgary in 2018, where he spent more than five years recruiting for property management in Alberta.
Episode summary
In this episode
Jared Sarbit talks with David Little, co-founder and director of Foresight Recruitment Group. David started recruiting in the U.K., moved to Calgary in 2018, and spent several years recruiting for property management in Alberta before launching Foresight with his business partner Nick, an idea that took shape at 1 a.m. at the U.S. border.
David shares what the talent market looks like in Alberta and British Columbia, the main reasons people leave property management companies, and why honest, transparent advice builds clients for life. He explains how Foresight differs from generalist recruiters and the areas it focuses on, from property management and leasing to operations and accounting.
He also talks about the career guide he is helping build with BOMA Calgary and BOMA Edmonton, trends shaping the industry, and his advice for anyone trying to land a job in property management.
Chapters
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:25Introducing David Little
- 1:49From U.K. recruiting to starting Foresight
- 4:11Taking the leap
- 6:42What David and Nick bring
- 8:24The talent market in Alberta and BC
- 11:44Why people leave property management companies
- 14:32Honest, transparent recruiting
- 18:13How a border crossing started a business
- 20:30What sets Foresight apart
- 25:06Key areas of recruitment
- 27:28Building a career guide with BOMA
- 32:19Trends shaping property management
- 34:50Advice for job seekers
- 38:17The historical figure he would recruit
- 40:37Book recommendation
Jump to a chapter (16)
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:25Introducing David Little
- 1:49From U.K. recruiting to starting Foresight
- 4:11Taking the leap
- 6:42What David and Nick bring
- 8:24The talent market in Alberta and BC
- 11:44Why people leave property management companies
- 14:32Honest, transparent recruiting
- 18:13How a border crossing started a business
- 20:30What sets Foresight apart
- 25:06Key areas of recruitment
- 27:28Building a career guide with BOMA
- 32:19Trends shaping property management
- 34:50Advice for job seekers
- 38:17The historical figure he would recruit
- 40:37Book recommendation
From the conversation
Transcript excerpts
Communication fosters innovation, fosters trust, fosters… safety and… comfort in a workplace.
David LittlePlay from 0:52
At the end of the day our business is a relationship business both in recruitment and in property management.
David LittlePlay from 8:07
Every day is a school day.
David LittlePlay from 14:08
Want fewer cleaning complaints reaching your team?
We’ll walk your building with you and send a written cleaning scope and price. Free, no obligation.
Read the conversation
Full episode transcript
Show transcript
Paste the edited transcript here.
FAQ
Property management career questions
Why do people leave property management companies?
David Little says the biggest reason is a lack of clear communication about what is happening in the organization. Other common reasons include leadership changes, properties being bought, sold, won, or lost, and salary.
What does Foresight Recruitment Group specialize in?
Foresight recruits for real estate and property management across Canada, including property management, leasing, facility management and operations, and real estate accounting roles. David covers Alberta and his partner Nick covers British Columbia.
How can someone get a job in property management?
David recommends building your network, finding a champion who can introduce you, joining groups like BOMA’s mentorship program, and continuing your education with designations like the RPA, CPM, or FMA. A positive, helpful attitude also goes a long way in interviews.
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