WANTED: Irish estate agents. No, it’s not Irish property buyers out seeking revenge, but a recruitment agency which is holding a roadshow in Dublin in January aimed at finding agents to work in the London property market.
Property recruitment specialist Deverell Smith Recruitment has found jobs for more than 30 Irish agents in 2011 alone, including placing “a dozen into top-tier brands in Mayfair, Chelsea, Kensington, earning five to six times what they could in Dublin”, says managing director Andrew Deverell Smith.
The agency is, apparently, the first port of call for international firms such as Knight Frank, Savills and Hamptons when they’re looking for property employees.
So on the weekend of January 14th and 15th, two consultants from the agency will come to Dublin to interview prospective candidates, who should make contact now to get an appointment.
Why London? “It’s where the demand is, where money can be made,” says Deverell Smith.
What they’re looking for, he says, is all kinds of agents “who’ve been successful, have great CVs, references and commitment”. He adds, “Irish charm goes a long way.”
Having qualifications is good “and we’ve placed a lot of graduates, but when push comes to shove, experience and character and charisma is what counts. We’re looking for people with experience, credibility, drive and a commitment to relocating.”
If on top of having the above, an agent can speak (in this order) Russian, Chinese, Hindi, Italian or Greek, it could give them an edge.
The rewards can be high: agents typically charge vendors 2 per cent of the sale price. “If you sell a property worth £5 million , that’s £100,000 ,” says Deverell Smith.
Interviews in January will be “an informal half-hour chat”.
Interested agents should contact Richard Wilson at the agency at richard.wilson@ deverell smith.com, tel: 00-44-207-291-0904.