My Career: ‘My role requires a fair bit of juggling'

Name: Niamh Smith

Age: 45+

Lives: East Cork

Job title: Sales Manager at Absolute Property Group

Salary bracket: Basic plus commission

Education background: Working in the property sector for past 25 years, both in lettings and sales. QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Auctioneering and Property Services with PSRA Licence in all four categories.

Hobbies: Reformer pilates, yoga, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Describe your job in five words: Sociable, detailed, challenging, problem-solving.

Describe yourself in five words: Bubbly, friendly, focused, and would talk to the wall.

Personality needed for this kind of work?

Obliging, honest, organised, attention to detail, good communication skills, and patience.

How long are you doing this job? I’ve worked for 25 years across various areas of the property sector, so I’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of how each facet interconnects — from lettings and sales to maintenance, construction, and building regulations. This exposure has given me a well-rounded perspective for the intricacies involved in every stage of property management and sales. For the past three years, I’ve been with Absolute Property Group, heading up the Sales Department and loving every minute.

How did you get this job? My career began in tourism, following business studies in Cork and work experience with a local travel agency. I spent time in Paris working with the Irish Tourist Board and learning French. I then moved to Tenerife to sell property with an Irish developer, which introduced me to the real estate world.

I returned to Ireland where I studied marketing and settled in East Cork to start a family. There, I worked as a French-speaking tour guide at the Jameson Distillery before joining a developer in Youghal, selling Section 48 holiday homes. When the properties were sold, I took over the holiday rentals and marketing, eventually setting up my own lettings business to manage a number of the properties.

To formalise my experience, I completed the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Auctioneering and Property Services, earning a full PSRA Licence across all four categories: Sales, Lettings, Property Management, and Auctioneering.

Absolute Property Group were looking for someone to head up and build their Sales Department at the same time that I was looking for a new challenge and I’ve been there for the last three years.

Absolute are recognised as experts in local Cork property management and wanted that same energy in sales. I jumped in, sleeves rolled up, and over the last three years we’ve more than doubled our sales, with another record-breaking year in sight.

I now get to support new staff members coming into the industry and help mentor new team members, which I absolutely love.

I lead our social media strategy (TikTok nearly broke me but when all else fails, ask the young tech- savvy ones). We are constantly finding new ways to offer a better sales package to include virtual tours, 3D models and floor plans, online bidding platforms, editorials, signage, etc. I also like to go the extra mile to help an owner prepare their property for selling.

I have absolutely loved the last three years and am so grateful to be part of helping shape the future of our sales department.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

Yes, it’s a highly regulated industry, where you need to complete a two-year Auctioneering and Property Services course to obtain a full PSRA licence and complete professional development annually. That said, real experience on the ground is where most of the learning happens.

In this industry, everyone helps each other with information, from solicitors, to engineers to other colleagues locally.

Describe a day at work: It’s a varied role, and no two days are ever quite the same. I usually start by checking emails and phone messages, which help shape the day ahead. There might be meetings with new vendors, existing clients, or engineers. With viewings generally booked in advance, I have a good idea of where I’ll be and when; but of course there are always surprises!

Once we take on a new property, there’s a fair bit of paperwork to get through — agreeing terms, signing Letters of Engagement, and collecting documents like ID, proof of address, and BER certificates. We use checklists to make sure everything is in order before listing.

Preparing a property for market involves coordinating contractors — painters, carpenters, flooring specialists, signage — and managing keys, which can be a bit of a juggling act. We then dress and stage the property to make it look its best for photos, virtual tours, and 3D models.

Marketing includes writing up a detailed description with measurements and uploading it to our own website and social media platforms as well as national property platforms.

Once the listing goes live, I arrange viewings and manage offers, keeping the vendor updated throughout. It’s a mix of admin, co-ordination, and client care — and that’s what keeps it interesting. I need to keep on top of active sales that are in the process of conveyancing, regularly checking in with the vendor, purchaser, and their respective solicitors.

How many hours do you work a week? This role requires a fair amount of flexibility, which is a nice way of saying ‘whenever clients need me’. Viewings often need to be arranged around clients’ schedules, which can mean working through lunch breaks, evenings, or Saturdays when needed. Sundays, however, are always free as it’s important to have that time to recharge.

I have the option to work remotely, which is ideal when I need to focus on paperwork or prepare listings without the usual distractions of a busy office. It’s a good balance between being available for clients and having the space to concentrate on the finer details.

Is your industry male or female dominated? The property sector was traditionally male dominated, but that’s changed over the years. At Absolute Property Group, the majority of my colleagues are women, and it’s fantastic to see how well we bring our strengths to the role — particularly when it comes to multi-tasking, communication, and problem-solving. Plus, we know how to make a property look good and get it sold.

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1 -10: Generally speaking, I wouldn’t describe the job as overly stressful — I’d rate it around a 3 or 4 out of 10. Most days run smoothly, especially when everything is well organised and communication is clear. That said, there are moments that can be challenging, especially chasing down misplaced keys. Delays in conveyancing are one of the more common stress points, particularly when timelines shift and clients become anxious or frustrated.

Not everyone understands the legal process involved in buying or selling property. Managing expectations and keeping everyone informed and reassured are key.

It also requires a fair bit of juggling — co-ordinating contractors, handling paperwork, and staying on top of multiple listings at once. But with experience, you learn how to stay calm under pressure and find solutions quickly.

Good teamwork and a supportive office environment make all the difference.

Do you work with others or on your own? I work in a large, supportive office where teamwork is everything. We collaborate well and everyone brings something unique to the table. My colleague Eimear is a whiz at social media, so is a great help. Antoinette O’Brien, our Operations Manager, is the go to person for advice. She’s always ready to listen and offer guidance. As we sell a lot of property in the blocks we manage, I have access to detailed information from our experienced Block Managers, which helps speed up the sales process. We have a great team and there is a lovely atmosphere in the office which can lead to too many chats.

When do you plan to retire or give up working? Not anytime soon. With my daughters in college, I have more time to focus on my career — and I genuinely love what I do. It’s a great stage in life to stay active and make the most of every opportunity.

Best bits: Meeting new people and working with such a wide range of properties — every day brings something different. I love the joy when a buyer gets the keys to their new home, and seeing the gratitude from a happy vendor makes it all worthwhile. And yes, getting to dress well is a perk too though I’ve learned that heels and building sites don’t mix very well!

Worst bits: Impatient people, but I get it; buying a home is a big deal. I go to great lengths to give buyers all the information they need, so they can make informed decisions. I give them time, attention, and honesty because that’s what they deserve.

Advice to those who want your job?

You need excellent communication skills and attention to detail.