20 Avison Young Interview Questions and Answers

Avison Young is the world’s largest privately-owned commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young has over 5,000 employees in 115 offices across North America, Europe, and Asia.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Avison Young, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge of the commercial real estate industry. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Avison Young interview questions and answers.

Avison Young Interview Process

The interview process at Avison Young can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, like the Senior Financial Analyst role, you may be required to do a second in-person interview. Overall, the interview process is generally friendly and focused on your previous experience and technical competencies.

1. What is your experience with property management?

Property management is a key part of the job, so it’s important to show that you have experience in this area. If you don’t have any property management experience, consider talking about your previous work with tenants or landlords.

Example: “I’ve worked as a leasing agent for five years now, and I’ve also done some freelance property management on the side. In my current role, I help find new tenants for vacant units and manage existing leases. I’m familiar with all aspects of property management, including finding contractors for maintenance issues and helping owners understand their financial reports.”

2. Why do you want to work at Avison Young?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your motivations for applying to their company. They may want to know what you like about Avison Young and why you think it’s a good fit for you. To answer this question, try to highlight some of the aspects of the job that appeal to you. Consider mentioning any values or goals of the company that resonate with you.

Example: “I applied to work at Avison Young because I’m passionate about helping businesses succeed. I love working in real estate, so I was excited to see that Avison Young is one of the top commercial real estate companies in the country. I also really value the company culture here, which seems very collaborative and friendly. I feel like I would be able to thrive in this environment.”

3. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would fit into their company culture. Your leadership style is a personal preference, but it’s important to consider your potential coworkers and what they may prefer when answering this question.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who encourages my team members to ask questions and voice concerns. I think that by encouraging open communication, everyone on our team will feel comfortable sharing ideas and opinions. This can lead to more innovative solutions for clients and better overall outcomes for the company.”

4. What are the principles of marketing?

Answering this question shows the interviewer that you understand how to market a property and can apply your knowledge of marketing principles. Use examples from your experience to explain what marketing is, why it’s important and how you use it in your work.

Example: “Marketing is an essential part of selling real estate because it helps me connect with potential buyers. I know that if I want to sell a property quickly, I need to advertise it effectively. In my last role, I used several different marketing strategies to promote properties for sale. For example, I created brochures and flyers to hand out at local events and posted them online. I also made sure all of our listings were visible on popular websites like Zillow.”

5. Describe a time when you had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. This is an important skill for any real estate agent, as they often have clients who are unhappy with the services they receive. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “When I first started in real estate, I had a client who was very upset about the service I provided them. They were looking for a house that met their needs but also fit within their budget. I showed them several houses that matched those criteria, however, they wanted something more expensive. I explained to them that there weren’t many options available at their price point. In the end, they found a home that suited their needs.”

6. What process would you follow to conduct a survey?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks. Use examples from past experiences where you organized a survey, conducted interviews with clients or collected data for analysis.

Example: “I would first determine the purpose of the survey. For example, if I was conducting a tenant satisfaction survey, I would want to know how satisfied they are with their current living conditions, what improvements they’d like to see in their apartment complex and whether they plan on renewing their lease. Next, I would create an interview guide that includes questions about these topics. Then, I would schedule appointments with tenants who have been living in the apartments for at least six months. Finally, I would conduct the interviews and record the responses.”

7. Tell me about a time where you had to use creativity in order to solve a problem.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight how you used creativity and critical thinking to solve problems.

Example: “In my last position, I was working with a client who wanted to lease out their office space for more than it was worth. The company had been in that building for many years, so they were hesitant to move. I suggested we offer them a long-term lease at a lower price if they agreed to allow another business to rent part of their office space. They agreed, and both businesses were happy.”

8. What was one time that you struggled in a leadership position and what did you learn from it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you learned something new or developed a skill that helped you in future leadership positions.

Example: “In my last position as a leasing agent for an apartment complex, I was tasked with finding tenants for vacant units. One day, I had a prospective tenant come into the office who seemed very interested in renting one of our larger units. However, after showing her several other available units, she said she would only rent the large unit. I told her we were still accepting applications for that unit and if someone else applied before her, they would get the rental. She left the office upset but later called me back saying she wanted to rent the unit.

I realized that I should have been more honest about the situation and not led her on. After speaking with my manager, we decided to give her the rental since no one else applied for it. From this experience, I learned that honesty is always the best policy.”

9. Give us an example of a time when you were able to get others on board with your idea or project.

This question is a great way to see how you can influence others and get them excited about your ideas. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re able to communicate effectively with others and help them understand the benefits of your idea or project.

Example: “When I was working as an interior designer for a large company, I noticed that many employees were having trouble finding their way around the office building. The company had recently expanded its offices, so there were many new hallways and rooms that employees weren’t familiar with. I suggested creating a map of the entire office space, which would include all common areas and employee work spaces. My manager loved the idea and gave me permission to create the map. After presenting my plan to other department heads, they also agreed to add more details to the map, such as where each person could find supplies and equipment.”

10. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a client.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a client find an apartment or home and went out of your way to make them feel special.

Example: “When I was working as a real estate agent in my hometown, I had a client who was looking for a new apartment. She was moving from another state and didn’t know anyone in our city. I offered to take her on a tour of several apartments and homes so she could get a better idea of what was available. After going through all of the listings, we found one that she really liked. I even helped her move into her new place.”

11. What is your greatest weakness?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their company culture. They want to know that you are self-aware, so they can help you improve on any weaknesses you mention. When answering this question, try to be honest and specific. You can also use this opportunity to show off a skill or talent that is not related to the job but could make you more interesting as an employee.

Example: “My greatest weakness is my perfectionism. I always strive for excellence, which sometimes leads me to work longer hours than necessary. I am working on learning to let go of some tasks and delegate more responsibilities to my team members.”

12. What is your greatest strength?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their company culture. When answering, think of a strength that is relevant to the position you are applying for. If you have experience working in real estate, choose a strength related to that industry.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to remain calm under pressure. I am always prepared for any situation and can find solutions quickly. In my last role, we had a client who was looking at several properties but wanted to see them all before making a decision. We scheduled multiple showings per day, sometimes even two or three in one day. I knew it was important to keep our clients happy so they could make an informed decision. I organized my team so everyone was able to meet the client’s needs.”

13. Are you comfortable working independently?

This question is a good way to assess your ability to work independently. Employers ask this question because they want to know if you can complete tasks on your own without needing constant supervision. In your answer, explain that you are comfortable working independently and give an example of a time when you did so in the past.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently. I have been doing so for several years now, and it has helped me develop my skills as a real estate agent. For instance, I recently closed a deal with a client who was selling their home by themselves. They had no idea what price to list their home at or how to market it. I gave them advice on both topics and even showed them some marketing strategies that would help sell their home quickly.”

14. Which area of real estate do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

This question is a great way to see if you are motivated and passionate about real estate. It also shows the interviewer that you have goals for your career. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re eager to learn more about the industry and how you can grow in your role.

Example: “I hope to be working as an agent by myself or with a partner. I would love to have my own office space where I could meet clients and help them find their dream homes. In five years, I’d like to have at least 10 listings under my belt.”

15. Do you have any experience managing employees?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company culture. If you have management experience, share a time when you helped your team achieve goals or overcome challenges. If you don’t have management experience, you can talk about any other leadership roles you’ve held in the past.

Example: “In my last position as an associate broker, I was responsible for managing two junior brokers. We had weekly meetings to discuss our progress on listings and sales. I also encouraged my team members to ask me questions if they needed help with anything. This led to more collaboration between us and increased productivity.”

16. What do you think makes a good leader?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a time when you were a leader or helped someone else become one.

Example: “I believe that a good leader is someone who is able to motivate others to do their best work. I try to lead by example, showing my coworkers what I expect from myself and helping them understand why they should do the same. I also like to encourage collaboration among team members so we can all come up with creative solutions to problems together.”

17. Have you ever worked in a fast-paced environment before?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable with a fast-paced work environment. If you have not worked in a fast-paced environment before, it is important to explain how you would adapt to this type of work environment.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment before and I am very comfortable working under these conditions. In my last position, we had multiple deals going on at once, which required us to be highly organized and efficient. This helped me learn how to manage my time more effectively and become more productive.”

18. We prefer candidates who have a passion for real estate, so tell us why you’re passionate about real estate.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re passionate about the industry and have experience in it. You can use this opportunity to talk about what drew you to real estate, how long you’ve been working in the field and any specific projects or experiences that inspired you.

Example: “I’m passionate about real estate because I love helping people find their dream homes. When I was looking for my first apartment, I had no idea where to start. My realtor helped me find an amazing place that fit all of my criteria. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to help others find their perfect home.”

19. What is your favorite part about being in the commercial real estate industry?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and interests. It also helps you determine if they are passionate about their career, which can be an important quality in any employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that relates to your own personal experience or background.

Example: “My favorite part of being in commercial real estate is helping businesses find new spaces for their offices. I love seeing how excited companies get when they find the perfect office space for them. It makes me feel good knowing that my work helped make someone else’s day better.”

20. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a long-term career plan. They want to know that you are committed to their company and will be there for the long term. When answering, think about what your goals are in your career. Think about how Avison Young can help you achieve those goals.

Example: “I hope to still be working at Avison Young in five years. I would love to continue growing with the company as it continues to grow. In five years, I hope to have become an expert in commercial real estate. I would like to be managing my own team of agents by then.”