20 CBRE Interview Questions and Answers

CBRE is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with more than 85,000 employees in over 500 offices across 60 countries.

As the largest commercial real estate services firm, CBRE is in a unique position to offer job seekers insights into what interview questions they may face when interviewing for a position with the company.

In this article, we will provide sample CBRE interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

CBRE Interview Process

The interview process at CBRE can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Project Manager, the process is quick and includes a phone screening with basic questions, followed by a chat with the hiring manager and a team interview. For other positions, like Financial Analyst, the process is more rigorous and may include multiple rounds of interviews with tough, analytical questions. Overall, the interview process at CBRE is thorough and will vary depending on the role you are applying for.

1. Why do you want to work at CBRE?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the company and its values. It also allows you to talk about what attracted you to this role in the first place. When answering, it can be helpful to refer back to the job description or any other research you did on the company before applying.

Example: “I have always been interested in real estate, so when I saw that CBRE was hiring, I knew I had to apply. After doing some research, I found out that they are one of the top companies in the industry. I am excited to work with such an innovative group of people who are passionate about their work.”

2. What is your experience with working in a team environment?

Teamwork is an essential skill for any role at CBRE. The company values collaboration and communication, so it’s important to show that you can work well with others. When answering this question, describe a time when you worked in a team setting and how your experience helped you succeed.

Example: “In my previous position as a leasing agent, I was part of a large sales team. We all had different roles but we communicated regularly about our clients and the properties we were marketing. This allowed us to share information and collaborate on ideas to help each other close deals. In fact, I once used one of my colleague’s client list to find new leads for myself.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset customer or client, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. Interviewers want to know that you can be empathetic and helpful when dealing with clients or customers who are upset about something.

Example: “I had a client once who was very unhappy with the progress of our project. I met with them in person, listened to their concerns and asked questions to better understand what they were looking for. After this meeting, I created a new timeline for the project and sent it to my client so they could see how we planned on getting everything done. They were happy with the plan and gave us the go-ahead to continue.”

4. How would you respond if someone asked for information that was confidential?

This question is a good way to test your ethics and integrity. It also shows the interviewer how you would handle sensitive information in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you will only share confidential information with someone if they have been authorized by the client or company to receive it.

Example: “If I was asked for confidential information, I would first make sure that the person asking had authorization from the client or company to receive it. If not, I would politely decline to answer their questions until they could provide proof of authorization.”

5. Describe a time where you helped improve performance of a team member.

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you motivate others to succeed. Use examples from your previous experience where you helped a team member improve their performance or learn new skills.

Example: “In my last position, I had a colleague who was very shy when it came to networking with clients. She would often avoid speaking in front of large groups and preferred to work independently. I noticed that she was talented at writing marketing copy, so I asked her if she would be interested in helping me write some content for our website. She agreed, and we worked together on several projects over the next few months. Eventually, she became more comfortable speaking in front of large crowds and developed confidence in her writing abilities.”

6. Do you have any experience managing a project budget?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with managing a budget and how you might handle one at CBRE. Use examples from past projects to highlight your ability to manage budgets, stay within a financial plan and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last position as an architect, I was responsible for creating a project budget that included all costs associated with designing a new building. I had to consider many factors when determining the budget, including the number of floors in the building, the materials used and the labor required to complete the job. In this role, I learned how to create a realistic budget while also meeting client expectations.”

7. What are some challenges you might face as a property manager?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and how you might handle challenges that arise in this role. You can answer this question by describing some specific challenges you’ve faced as a property manager, what steps you took to solve them and the positive outcome of those actions.

Example: “One challenge I have faced is when tenants are late on their rent payments. In my previous position, I would call each tenant who was late on their rent payment to discuss why they were late and offer solutions for getting caught up. If the tenant agreed to pay within a certain time frame, I would work with them to create an agreement so they could avoid eviction. This helped me build stronger relationships with my tenants and ensured they paid their rent on time.”

8. Are you comfortable addressing safety concerns and issues?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to handle conflict and resolve safety issues. Use examples from past experiences where you helped solve a problem or encouraged others to follow safety protocols.

Example: “I have worked in construction for several years, so I am familiar with the importance of following safety procedures. In my last position, I noticed that some employees were not wearing hard hats while on site. I talked to them about why it was important to wear their hard hats at all times and how they could keep them safe by storing them in their toolboxes when not in use. They understood and started wearing their hard hats again.”

9. Can you tell us what your strengths and weaknesses are?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what you’re good at so they can use your strengths to their advantage. They also want to know about any weaknesses so they can help you improve them or find ways around them.

Example: “I’m very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work. I also have excellent communication skills, which makes it easy for me to explain things clearly to others. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed by large projects. To combat this, I break down the project into smaller tasks and set deadlines for myself.”

10. Provide an example of a time were you had to make a decision without consulting management first.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to research information before making the decision.

Example: “In my previous position as an account manager for a software company, I was tasked with finding new clients for our business. After researching several companies in the area, I found one that would be a good fit for our services. However, when I presented my findings to management, they decided not to pursue the client because of their financial situation. Instead, we focused on other clients who were more likely to purchase our services.”

11. What does the real estate industry look like 5 years from now? 10 years from now?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the industry and how it’s changing. It also shows that you’re aware of what’s going on in the world around you, which can be important for an organization like CBRE. When answering this question, make sure to include specific details about why you think things will change over time.

Example: “I believe that within five years, we’ll see more people renting instead of buying homes. This is because there are so many new technologies being developed that make renting easier than ever before. For example, I read recently that some companies are developing apps that allow renters to pay their rent with just one click. Ten years from now, I think we’ll see even more people renting as these apps become more popular.”

12. When was the last time you took initiative in your workplace?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to take initiative and solve problems. Use examples from previous work experiences where you took initiative, solved a problem or helped others with their tasks.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our team was having trouble keeping up with all of our projects. So, I started scheduling weekly meetings for us to discuss what we were working on and how we could improve our workflow. This allowed us to collaborate more effectively and complete our projects in a timely manner.”

13. What kind of skillset should you expect from a facilities manager?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role and how it fits into a larger organization. You can answer this question by describing what you expect from a facilities manager, but also include skills that are important for any professional in real estate.

Example: “A facilities manager should have excellent communication skills, as they will be working with many different departments within their company. They should also have strong organizational skills, as they will need to manage multiple projects at once. Finally, I think it’s important for a facilities manager to have technical skills, such as computer programming or data analysis, so they can understand the systems they’re managing.”

14. Have you worked on commercial real estate projects before?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how you can apply it to their company. If you have worked on commercial real estate projects before, share some of your past experiences with the interviewer. If you haven’t worked on these types of projects before, you can talk about other work that has prepared you for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked in construction management for over five years now. I started out working on residential projects but quickly learned that my skills were better suited for commercial properties. In my last position, I managed a team of construction workers who were building a new shopping center. We had to coordinate many different aspects of the project, including hiring subcontractors and managing budgets.”

15. Are you familiar with building codes and regulations?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the local building codes and regulations. This is an important skill for a commercial real estate agent because you need to understand these rules before presenting properties to clients. In your answer, explain that you have experience with local building codes and regulations. Explain how you researched them in the past and what steps you took to ensure compliance.

Example: “I am familiar with local building codes and regulations. I’ve worked in several different cities throughout my career, so I know how to research the relevant information when I’m working in a new area. For example, when I was working in San Diego, I learned about the city’s specific requirements regarding parking spaces and signage. When I moved to Seattle, I knew which buildings needed earthquake retrofitting.”

16. What is your strategy for attracting new clients?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you plan to grow your client base and increase revenue. Your answer should include a few steps that you take to attract new clients, including what you do before meeting with them and what you do after they sign on as a client.

Example: “I start by researching which companies are looking for commercial real estate services. I then reach out to these businesses via email or phone call to introduce myself and my company. If they’re interested in learning more about our services, I schedule a time to meet with them at their office or ours. During this meeting, I discuss the different types of properties we have available and show them some examples of buildings we’ve worked on.”

17. Can you explain more about why you think our company stands out?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what makes CBRE unique from other companies in the industry. You may also want to mention any specific aspects that appeal to you about working for the company.

Example: “CBRE stands out because of its commitment to innovation. I’ve noticed that many of the projects you work on are highly complex, which requires innovative solutions. In my last role, we were tasked with finding ways to reduce costs while increasing revenue. We came up with an idea to create a new floor plan that would increase occupancy rates. This led to us creating more revenue than expected, which was a huge win for our client.”

18. In your opinion, what’s one of the biggest threats facing the real estate market right now?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the current market and how you can apply it to benefit clients. When answering, be sure to focus on one specific threat that’s relevant to the company and its clients.

Example: “One of the biggest threats facing the real estate market right now is the lack of affordable housing for low-income families. In my last role as an analyst, I noticed this issue was becoming more prevalent in many cities across the country. To address this problem, I created a report outlining several solutions to help solve the shortage of affordable housing. One solution we implemented was creating a database of available properties that were affordable for low-income families.”

19. Explain the difference between commercial and residential real estate. Which do you prefer?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the two types of real estate and how they differ. It also allows you to show that you have preferences between the two, which can be important if you are applying for a position where you will work with both residential and commercial properties.

Example: “Residential real estate involves selling or renting homes, apartments and other living spaces. Commercial real estate includes office buildings, retail stores, warehouses and other business spaces. Residential real estate tends to be more personal than commercial real estate because it’s usually about people buying or renting a home. I prefer working in residential real estate because I enjoy helping clients find their dream home.”

20. What types of real estate projects have you worked on in the past?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience level and what types of projects you’re comfortable working on. You can answer this question by listing some of the most recent projects you’ve worked on, including the type of property and any unique features or challenges that came with it.

Example: “In my last role as a commercial real estate broker, I helped find tenants for office spaces in downtown areas. One of my clients was looking to lease out an entire floor of a high-rise building, so we had to find a company that could afford the space and would be able to fill up all of the available square footage. We ended up finding a tech startup that needed more room for its employees.”