I often get asked by candidates "how do I break into the retirement village sector - I know I could be a great Village Manager but I just don't know how to get an opportunity?"
This is a great question and one that is becoming much more frequent as as more professionally minded people come to realise that an enriching, rewarding and enhanced career can be made in the Retirement sector. One major obstacle for those outside the sector is the lack of recognised and accredited training programs for Village managers or sales staff on offer across Australia. Therefore what can you do to strengthen your case and prospects of securing the opportunity you deserve. here are my thoughts:
1. Do your research
Find out as much as you can about how the sector functions. Visit the web sit of the Retirement Village Association of Australia (www.rva.com.au) and go to the web sites of some of the major operators in the sector such as Stockland, Lend Lease, Aveo, Living Choice, Anglicare, Uniting Care, Catholic Homes, Retire Australia, TriCare, RSL Care, Garden Villages and many others. All these sites have explanatory pages that attempt to demystify how the sector works.
As the sector becoming quite heavily regulated across Federal and State authorities its important to have a basic understanding of the complexities involved.
Talk to others in the sector, visit a few villages for a drive by, attend any open days at a Village nearby and even give Bruch Brown Consulting a call.
2. Customise Your CV
As the retirement sector is a specialised field its important that your CV reflects the skills sets you have to enable a successful transition to retirement village operations management or sales. Match your prior experience and achievements to those that are required for the role you are going for. Its amazing how many CV's I see are not well researched or prepared. I like see achievements listed, key responsibilities and things like size of budgets implemented, staff managed or sales revenue achieved specifically referrd to for each major role you have had.
Another thing that is important with your CV - make sure dates, titles and employers listed are accurate. A good interviewer will soon pick holes in any inconsistencies. Be honest and make sure when you are interviewed that you can back up the points highlighted in your CV with clear succinct examples and factual information.
A good CV is essential for securing the interview so preparation and research will greatly assist your application
3. The Interview
You might look great on paper but its the interview that determines success. A good CV and research should see you answer questions effectively, in detail and with confidence.
Before the interview, research the company and if possible drive by the Village you may be working at. Don't go in and see the staff and say "hey I might be your next manager"" - that is not a good look.
Be positive in the interview and show loads of energy and enthusiasm as a result of you having done your research. The interview is a great way to describe in depth how your previous roles relate positively to that of a manager or sales person. Quote numbers, don't be afraid to sell achievements and don't be afraid to talk positively about yourself. Be careful though not to be seen to be arrogant and incapable of taking instruction, advice and being a team player.
Ask questions and find out as much as you can about the role to be sure it suits your expectations. By asking questions you are showing how serious an prepared you are.
Hopefully I don't have to say anything about grooming, eye contact and building rapport!!
Most importantly get advice and talk to as many people as you can. The Retirment Village sector offers an amazing opportunity to grwo and develop your career. If you are manageing aVillage you gain a tremendous sense of accopmlishment and leadership. After all you are leading a community and you are working in someone's home - that is a rare privlidge that must be respected.
If you are committed to joining this fantastic industry give Bruch Brown Consulting a call. That could be the most important step of all.
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