Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/86221
:agent to auctioneer IF YOU HAVE EVER considered a career in real estate but wondered if it was really the job for you – read on. Marian's story may be just the insight and inspiration you need to take the first step into an exciting new career. New Zealand's first full time female auctioneer, Barfoot & Thompson's Marian Tolich, believes women naturally have what it takes to make it in real estate. Her career spans a successful 20+ years and has taken her from salesperson to one of the country's top auctioneers, now calling an impressive 1200 auctions a year. Marian began selling real estate in 1989, after going through the process of selling her own home and thinking, 'I can do that!'. Then, with ten years of property sales under her belt, she began auctioneering in 1999, securing the role at Barfoot & Thompson that she still has today. Like Marian, people come to real estate from all walks of life and have often already had successful careers in other professions – as lawyers, marketers, teachers, nurses, or chefs to name just a few. "Real estate is a natural choice for a new career, particularly if you are a real people person. It provides daily contact with clients and colleagues, and gives you the chance to be your own boss. "I started selling real estate to fit a career around my young children's activities, it offered me flexibility and if you work hard it rewards you well. When I became interested in being an auctioneer, I asked why there were no women and was told, 'they just don't want to do it'. So, I did a few smaller auctions, took up the training opportunities offered and when the position at Barfoot & Thompson came up, I jumped at it!" Marian says there are a range of career opportunities within real estate, from salesperson to branch manager, or to auctioneer. "In real estate, everyone is equal. The most successful agents are the ones who are best at their job. That's particularly evident at Barfoot & Thompson. We're proud to have a female CEO and the company's first female director, and 14 of our top 25 salespeople are women. "Women make great salespeople because we tend to be natural listeners and 28 | www.hermagazine.co.nz relationship builders. Transition that to auctioneer and you still need those things, combined with confidence, public speaking ability and authority." What makes a successful real estate salesperson? • Empathy and listening skills • An ability to handle rejection and not take things personally • A good general knowledge and the hunger to learn • A calm, confident and professional manner • Great communication and people skills Why consider a job in real estate? • Great lifestyle with flexible working hours • Very small 'set up' cost – a phone and a computer will do! • You're your own boss • Can work from home • Hard work is well-rewarded Training opportunities Barfoot & Thompson provides training and support new salespeople need / salespeople's needs? Or is the word need a mistake and not required.... To learn more visit www.barfoot.co.nz/ careers • Salespeople receive intensive introductory training, building on their professional qualifications, customised coaching, and regular workshops from IT to marketing. • The auctioneers like Marian, also train agents in running an auction, how to talk to buyers, auction day procedures and more. • Training for aspiring auctioneers is available through the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand which offers a professional auctioneers course. Today, Marian's still got the buzz. The biggest thrill for her is getting more than the reserve for clients, "We make a difference in people's lives and I love it when I see someone so happy with a result. That's what drives me on auction day." So what's next for this real estate role model? "I love my job, there have been so many wow moments and I laugh every day. When I finish in real estate I'm sure there's a book in me!" Agent to Auctioneer One woman's inspiring real estate career