Name: Amanda Aunet
Title: Leasing Consultant
Company: The Buccini/Pollin Group Wilmington, Del.
1. Cultural acceptance. There are women and men of all different cultures and ethnicities in almost every field of residential property management now. Such acceptance has made the industry more appealing and comfortable for employees and residents of all backgrounds.
2. Sense of youth. Gen Y’ers have delayed their transition from childhood to adulthood. We embody the idea of staying forever young—a mindset that is contagious in the office. It’s important to feel youthful and energized on the job, regardless of age.
3. Healthy competition. I am a member of “Generation Trophy.” We strive to be the very best we can be—but we want our accomplishments to be acknowledged. It’s always fun to have an apartment that two different prospects are interested in, bringing that “Who’s going to rent it first?” mentality into play. Healthy competition is never a bad thing.
4. High-performance. I’ll admit it—sometimes my generation can be a little high-maintenance. But we also believe in our own self-worth, with a focus on high-performance. So long as we focus on the latter, we’re improving the industry.
5. Multitasking abilities. On a typical day, I am jotting down a maintenance request while inputting a rental application and answering the phone all at the same time. Generally speaking, Gen Y’ers can multitask like no other—checking e-mails on our smartphones while talking on the phone and working on a database.
6.Technological savvy. I use a smartphone to access e-mails in and out of the office and frequently reach out to residents through my community’s Facebook page—both of which come quite naturally to me. I know exactly where to click.
7. Work/life balance. My work life is important—but so is my personal life. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Gen Y’ers are reaffirming a healthy sense of balance, which can improve work ethic and yield greater overall satisfaction in the industry. Who doesn’t like a lunch date with a friend or family member as a nice break in the day?
8. Sense of style. There has been a shift in the idea of a business-casual dress code throughout the industry. Gen Y’ers still respect the idea of dressing professionally (well, most of us), but we’ve taken a business-casual dress code straight from the runway and into the workplace. I have an obsession with the latest shoe styles each season and I always keep up-to-date with colorful jewelry and accessories—both of which make me excited to dress for work each morning!
9. Innovative ideas. We may be young, but we’re not afraid to speak up. The industry is always looking for new and innovative ideas, and Gen Y’ers have a lot of insight to offer. The challenge is to know when to speak up and when to be quiet!
10. Additional perks. My generation is said to be somewhat hard to please; we expect to receive great benefits and incentives when we enter the workplace. Fortunately, the industry is starting to appease us. So for those of you Baby Boomers who are suddenly enjoying Flex Fridays, you know who to thank!
If you would like to be considered for a future End Points column, please contact Lauren Boston at 703/797-0678.