Build Your Network Early On Says Philadelphia Business Manager
Gary Master has accumulated over 35 years of expert knowledge in the field of real estate and construction. He is the leader in the real estate and construction services group at EisnerAmper in Philadelphia. Master has a glowing reputation in his field and is often called upon for his wealth of knowledge in development and profitability.
What do you anticipate happening in your field that will bring growth to your market in the next six months?
"Real estate is one of those areas that has the potential for tremendous growth over the next several months and years. What we do see on the horizon is the potential effect of increasing interest rates and how that's going to impact the value of real estate coming up for refinancing in 2016 and 2017. Low-interest rates have had a major influence on why people are choosing to make alternative investments and I anticipate continued growth as long as interest rates don't stifle the growth in the industry."
When hiring for your company, what do you look for in an employee?
"What we're really looking for is someone with intelligence and an engaging personality. Our firm has a commitment to client service, so we look for those skills in all of the professionals that we hire. They need to be good client communicators and attentive to client needs."
What is the median salary for a position in your field?
"The median salary certainly varies for those in the public accounting field. Entry-level job seekers can expect to make somewhere around $50,000 and work their way up to the mid-$100,000 level after 10-to-15 years of experience."
What advice would you give to someone entering into your field?
"First, be diligent in growing your technical skills because without those skills you won't progress through the various levels of the firm. I'd also stress the importance of building your network early on, and being consistent in your efforts to do so. Most importantly, find yourself a passion within the field, and go after it vigorously."
What changes have you observed in the past year as far as business growth and hiring practices are concerned?
"There's been a lot of interest in a firm such as ours. We get more resumes in than we can possibly hire, which is great because we get to choose the best and the brightest students. One thing we've seen is that people come into this industry as a stepping stone to something else. It's an issue in our industry and something that we combat by finding great career paths for young people. We get them involved in understanding what the future of accounting is going to be and how to be a part of it."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/
