20 Cushman & Wakefield Interview Questions and Answers

Cushman & Wakefield is a real estate services firm that offers agency leasing, tenant representation, and investment management services. The company has a long history dating back to 1792, and it has a global reach with offices in more than 60 countries.

When you go for a job interview at Cushman & Wakefield, you can expect to be asked a mix of general and specific questions about your experience and skills. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Cushman & Wakefield interview questions and answers.

Cushman & Wakefield Interview Process

The interview process at Cushman & Wakefield is relatively lengthy, taking an average of six weeks from start to finish. However, the difficulty level of the interviews themselves is generally considered to be moderate, with most candidates reporting a positive overall experience.

The first step in the process is usually a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews with members of the hiring team. Candidates may also be asked to complete a written exercise or case study as part of the interview process.

Overall, the interview process at Cushman & Wakefield is fairly typical for a large corporation. However, the length of the process may be off-putting for some candidates. Those who are patient and willing to go through a few rounds of interviews should have no problem landing a job at this company.

1. How would you describe your experience in property management?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your experience and expertise in property management. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities.

Example: “I have five years of experience managing commercial properties for small businesses. I’ve worked with clients who are looking for a new office space, as well as those who need help finding tenants for their current spaces. In my last position, I managed a team of three other property managers who were responsible for maintaining client relationships and overseeing daily operations.”

2. How do you think the current housing crisis has affected property values?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see how your views align with the company’s. You can answer by explaining what you think caused the housing crisis and how it affected property values.

Example: “I believe that the housing crisis was a result of reckless lending practices, which led to an oversupply of homes on the market. This resulted in home prices dropping significantly, especially for those who bought their homes during the peak years. I also think that the lack of affordable housing options has contributed to the problem.”

3. What are some common challenges of being a Property Manager?

Property managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a property and ensuring that it is well maintained. This includes hiring maintenance staff, scheduling repairs and responding to tenant complaints. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have experience working as a property manager before. In your answer, explain what challenges you’ve faced in the past and how you overcame them.

Example: “One challenge I’ve experienced while managing properties is finding qualified maintenance staff. When I first started my career, I didn’t know where to look for good candidates. However, after some research, I found several online resources that helped me find quality maintenance staff.”

4. What is your experience with managing commercial properties?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your experience with managing commercial properties and how you can apply that knowledge to Cushman & Wakefield. If you have previous management experience, describe what you did in that role. If you don’t have direct management experience but have worked in a related position, explain what you learned from that experience that would help you manage a property.

Example: “I’ve been working as a leasing agent for five years now, so I’m familiar with many of the processes involved in managing a commercial property. In my current role, I work closely with the property manager to ensure our clients are getting the best service possible. I also regularly communicate with tenants to make sure they’re happy with their space.”

5. Give an example of how you have used technical skills to solve a problem.

Technical skills are important for real estate professionals, as they allow you to use software and tools that help you complete your job. When answering this question, think of a time when you used technical skills to solve a problem or challenge in your previous role.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts. One day, we noticed our Instagram account had been hacked. The hacker changed all of our profile information and posted inappropriate content on our page. I immediately contacted my IT department to see if they could help me fix the issue. They were able to remove the hacker from our account and change all of the profile information back to normal.”

6. Describe a time when you were dealing with a difficult tenant or situation, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with people. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation that you handled well and the steps you took to resolve the issue or conflict.

Example: “I had a tenant who was consistently late on their rent payments. I called them to discuss the issue and they told me that they were having financial difficulties. I offered to help them find resources for assistance and worked with our accounting department to offer a payment plan so they could pay in installments. They agreed to the terms and paid their rent on time for the next three months.”

7. Provide an example of a time when you had to handle multiple tasks at once.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle stress and multitasking. Use examples from your previous job that show you’re capable of handling multiple tasks at once, but also highlight your ability to prioritize important tasks over less urgent ones.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant property manager, I had to manage several different projects at once. One day, I was helping with a tenant issue while also working on a lease renewal for one of our clients. While I was talking to the tenant about their concerns, I realized they were missing some information in their lease renewal paperwork. I quickly informed them of this and told them I would send it out right away so they could review it before signing.”

8. Tell me about your experience working in a team environment.

Cushman & Wakefield is a large company that offers many opportunities to work in teams. The interviewer wants to know how you will contribute to the team and what your experience has been working with others.

Example: “I have worked on several projects where I had to collaborate with other professionals, such as architects and engineers. In these situations, I learned how important it was to communicate effectively with my colleagues so we could all understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. This helped me develop strong communication skills and learn how to work well with others.”

9. Do you have any experience working on construction projects?

Cushman & Wakefield is a real estate services firm, but it also offers construction management services. The company wants to know if you have any experience working on construction projects and whether you can apply that knowledge to your work as an agent.

Example: “I worked for a small construction company in my hometown where I was responsible for managing the project budget and ensuring that all of our clients were happy with their final product. This experience taught me how to manage multiple tasks at once and helped me develop my communication skills.”

10. In what ways can Cushman & Wakefield improve its business model?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can help it grow. When answering this question, make sure to mention specific ways that you would improve the business model and what steps you would take to implement those changes.

Example: “I think Cushman & Wakefield could benefit from expanding its services into commercial real estate. I have experience working with commercial properties in my previous role as an agent leasing property for residential use, so I know I could easily transition into that type of work. I also think the company should consider hiring more agents who are bilingual because there are many international clients who may be interested in using their services.”

11. What kind of computer programs and software are you familiar with?

Cushman & Wakefield uses a variety of computer programs and software to manage their clients’ real estate portfolios. The company wants to know that you have the necessary skills to use these programs and software effectively. When answering this question, list the computer programs and software you are familiar with. If you don’t have experience using specific programs or software, explain how you would learn them if hired.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on computers and using different types of software. I have used Microsoft Office for many years now, so I am familiar with most of its features. I also have some experience using Salesforce as well as Google Docs and Sheets.”

12. Why do you want to work for Cushman & Wakefield?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this question, make sure you research the company thoroughly and find out what makes them unique. Highlight any aspects of the company that appeal to you personally.

Example: “I want to work for Cushman & Wakefield because I am passionate about real estate. Your company has an excellent reputation within the industry, and I would love to be part of a team that helps clients achieve their goals. I also really like how you have locations all over the world. This means there are plenty of opportunities for travel and learning new things.”

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

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you might fit into their company. If you have experience working in a fast-paced environment, share some details about what it was like and how you handled it. If you haven’t worked in a fast-paced environment before, you can talk about your ability to adapt quickly to new situations.

Example: “I’ve worked in a fast-paced environment for most of my career. I’m used to having multiple projects going at once and meeting tight deadlines. In my last position, I had three different clients that all needed work done on their buildings at the same time. It was challenging but also rewarding when we were able to complete everything by our deadline.”

14. Can you tell me about a project that you managed from start to finish?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to plan and execute a project from start to finish. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to complete the project and how you managed each step of the process.

Example: “In my last position as a leasing agent, I was tasked with finding tenants for a new office space that had just opened up in our area. The company wanted to attract young professionals who were looking for a fun work environment. To find these types of tenants, I reached out to local universities and posted flyers around campus. I also created a social media campaign using hashtags related to the type of tenant we were looking for. Within two weeks, I found three companies that fit the criteria.”

15. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you handled the situation and whether or not you learned from it. In your answer, try to be honest about what happened and explain how you would handle a similar situation differently in the future.

Example: “In my previous role as an agent, I had a client who was very particular about their needs. When they found out that we couldn’t find them exactly what they wanted, they became upset with me. I tried to calm them down by explaining that I was doing everything I could to help them find a suitable property. Eventually, I found them a home that met all of their criteria. After closing on the house, they thanked me for helping them find the perfect place.”

16. What do you think are some important qualities for someone who works as a Project Manager?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better as a person and how your personality might fit in with their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of your own personal qualities that relate to those mentioned by the interviewer.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for someone who works as a Project Manager is being organized. I am naturally very organized, so I would make sure all my projects were well-documented and on time. Another quality I think is important is communication. As a Project Manager, I would need to communicate effectively with other team members and clients to ensure everyone was on the same page.”

17. Describe your experience with handling maintenance issues for commercial buildings.

When you’re interviewing for a position as a property manager, it’s important to show that you have the skills and experience necessary to handle maintenance issues. This question allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and organizational skills by describing how you handled a specific maintenance issue in the past.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing all of the commercial buildings owned by our company. One day, I noticed that one of the elevators in one of our buildings wasn’t working properly. I immediately contacted the elevator repair service we used and scheduled an appointment for them to come out and fix the elevator. The repair service arrived on time and fixed the elevator within two hours.”

18. Are you comfortable working with technical equipment such as computers and printers?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your comfort level with technology and how you might fit in at their company. If you have experience working with computers, printers and other office equipment, share that information. If you don’t have any experience, explain what type of computer skills you do have and express interest in learning more about using these types of machines.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with computers and printers. I’ve worked as an administrative assistant for three years now, so I’m used to operating computers and performing basic tasks like printing documents and sending emails. I also know how to use Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel.”

19. What is one thing you wish you could change about your past job?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and how they interact with others. It also helps employers understand what you might change if you were hired for this position. When answering, try to be as positive as possible while still being honest.

Example: “I wish I had been given more opportunities to work on large projects. In my last job, I was primarily responsible for finding new clients and maintaining relationships with existing ones. While that was important, I would have liked to have worked on larger deals where I could use my negotiation skills and problem-solving abilities.”

20. If hired, what would be your approach to improving customer satisfaction?

Customer satisfaction is an important aspect of any business, and the interviewer may want to know how you would approach improving it. Use examples from your previous experience that show you understand what customer service entails.

Example: “I believe in treating customers with respect and providing them with excellent service. I always make sure to listen to their needs and respond to them as quickly as possible. In my last position, a client was looking for a new office space but wasn’t sure where they wanted to be located. I spent time getting to know them and asking questions about their company so I could find the best location for them. They ended up signing a five-year lease on a prime office space.”