Preparing for Your FirstKey Homes Interview: Common Questions and How to Answer Them

Interviewing at FirstKey Homes? With the right preparation, you can ace the interview and land the job. FirstKey Homes is one of the fastest growing residential property management companies in the United States. They manage homes, condos, townhomes and apartments across the country.

With great growth comes great career opportunities FirstKey Homes is constantly hiring for positions at their corporate office as well as on-site staff for their managed properties

If you have an interview coming up with FirstKey Homes, here is what you need to know to be ready:

Overview of FirstKey Homes

FirstKey Homes was founded in 2015 in Hollywood, Florida and has since grown to manage over 30,000 residential properties across 28 states They focus primarily on managing single-family rental homes

The company culture emphasizes teamwork, integrity, responsibility, transparency, and excellence. Employees at FirstKey Homes often describe it as fast-paced but supportive work environment.

FirstKey Homes is a subsidiary of Cerberus Capital Management, one of the largest private investment firms in the United States. Working at FirstKey Homes provides opportunities to advance your career with a growing national company.

Common FirstKey Homes Interview Questions

The interview questions you are asked will depend on the role you are applying for. However, there are some common questions asked across many positions:

General Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself. Focus on your relevant background and skills for the role. Highlight achievements from past jobs. Keep it concise – 2 to 3 minutes.

• Why do you want to work for FirstKey Homes? Show that you have researched the company. Talk about aspects of the role and company culture that appeal to you.

• What are your strengths and weaknesses? Pick 1-2 relevant strengths and weaknesses. Explain how you make the most of your strengths and how you’re working to improve the ones you don’t do so well.

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hiring managers want to see you have ambition. Express interest in taking on more responsibility in the future.

• Why should we hire you? Summarize how your skills and experience make you the best fit for this role and company.

Role-Specific Interview Questions

If interviewing for an on-site property management role, you may be asked:

• How would you handle an angry tenant? Emphasize listening, staying calm, understanding their concerns and resolving the issue. Give an example if you have one.

• How would you handle a maintenance emergency? Show you can calmly assess the situation, determine next steps and who to contact for help. Emphasize resident safety.

• Tell me about a time you had to enforce company policy with a tenant. How did you handle it? Share a specific example. Explain how you maintained professionalism and resolved the issue.

For corporate office roles, some common questions include:

• Tell me about a time you successfully led a project. Walk through the details: your role, challenges faced, how you overcame them, and the results delivered.

• How do you prioritize tasks when everything is a high priority? Give examples of systems you’ve used to organize and manage multiple priorities. Explain how you stay focused.

• When have you had a conflict with a coworker? How did you handle it? Share a specific example focusing on how you worked to understand their perspective and find a resolution.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

The interview is also a chance for you to learn more about FirstKey Homes and the role to determine if it is a good fit. Ask 1-2 thoughtful questions such as:

• What does success look like in the first 60 to 90 days in this role? This shows interest in making an immediate contribution.

• What are some of the biggest challenges facing your team/department right now? Demonstrates interest in the company’s needs.

• How would you describe the culture at FirstKey Homes? Gives insight into their priorities and values.

Tips for Acing Your FirstKey Homes Interview

Here are some top tips for making a great impression and standing out:

Prepare examples ahead of time. Identify stories from your past experience that showcases skills needed for this role. Review your resume and prepare examples for key achievements.

Research the company. Visit their website and social media pages. Know their mission, values, history and growth trajectory.

Practice answering questions out loud. Actually saying your answers aloud will help polish your responses. Ask a friend to conduct a mock interview with you.

Have thoughtful questions ready. Prepare several questions to ask the interviewer to show your engagement and curiosity.

Dress professionally. Wear appropriate business attire, even for virtual interviews. You want to look sharp and make a good first impression.

Arrive 10 minutes early. Whether in person or virtual, log in 10 minutes early to ensure you are ready to start on time. Tardiness will immediately work against you.

Watch your body language. Maintain confident, open body language – good posture, smile, nod, make eye contact. This is important on video as well.

Send a thank you note. Email the interviewer within 24 hours thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest.

Common FirstKey Homes Positions and Responsibilities

FirstKey Homes hires for a variety of corporate and on-site property management positions. Some of the most common roles include:

Regional Property Manager

• Oversee portfolio of single-family rental homes or small residential properties in a geographic territory
• Recruit, hire, train and supervise on-site property managers
• Drive operational strategy, budgets, policies and procedures
• Ensure properties meet FirstKey Homes’ standards
• Analyze markets and recommend new properties for acquisition
• Report on KPIs and performance benchmarks for area

Property Manager

• Manage daily operations for residential property site(s)
• Market vacancies and show units to prospective residents
• Qualify applicants, oversee leasing process and prepare lease agreements
• Conduct property inspections and oversee maintenance
• Respond to tenant requests, concerns and complaints
• Enforce lease terms and community policies
• Oversee property staff including leasing agents and maintenance techs

Leasing Consultant

• Give property tours and showcase amenities and unit features to prospective residents
• Discuss lease terms, rent rates, and application process
• Screen applicants – verify income/employment