Why Real Estate Could Be Your Perfect Next Step
Whether you’ve taken time out to raise a family, want more flexibility in your work life, or are simply looking for a fresh start, it’s never too late to explore a career in real estate. At Barfoot & Thompson, we believe that great real estate salespeople aren’t born from experience, they’re built from drive, empathy, and a willingness to learn. And that’s why we’ve created pathways to help parents, like you, step into the industry with confidence.
Real Estate Welcomes All Walks of Life
You don’t need a background in sales or property to succeed in real estate. In fact, many of our most successful salespeople came from completely unrelated fields like nursing, teaching, admin, retail, or full-time parenting. What they all had in common was a desire to make a change, a strong work ethic, and the ability to connect with people. Sound familiar?
Get Qualified – With Our Full Support
To become a licensed real estate salesperson in New Zealand, you’ll need to complete a Level 4 Salesperson Certificate. That might sound daunting, but we’ve made it easier than ever.
Barfoot & Thompson has partnered with REINZ (Real Estate Institute of New Zealand) to offer a supported training course designed specifically for people entering the industry. The course blends online and face-to-face learning, and includes direct access to experienced Branch Managers for real-world insights. You’ll get the tools, knowledge, and support to earn your qualification – without feeling like you’re doing it alone. Find out more about the course here.
Training That Goes Beyond the Certificate
Once you’re qualified, the support doesn’t stop. In fact, that’s where it really begins.
Our Base Camp programme is designed to help new salespeople build strong foundations in their first six months. You’ll learn everything from how to manage listings and work with clients, to navigating our internal systems, CRMs, and marketing yourself on social media.
When you’re ready to take things to the next level, our Pinnacle programme is unique to Barfoot & Thompson, and is exclusively designed to provide the best skills, techniques, mindset and accountability, giving you every chance to thrive in this dynamic industry.
Work That Works for You
Real estate offers something many traditional 9–5 jobs can’t: flexibility. You can build your career around your lifestyle, your family commitments, and your personal goals. Want to do school drop-offs and pick-ups? Prefer to work evenings or weekends? Real estate allows you to work when it works for you, with no limit on what you can earn.
Why Barfoot & Thompson?
We’re New Zealand’s largest privately-owned real estate company, with over 100 years of experience helping people into successful careers. When you join us, you’re not just joining a company, you’re becoming part of a supportive network that’s invested in your growth from day one.
We don’t just look at your CV. We look at your potential.
Still wondering if real estate could really be for you? Let us introduce you to Emily Te Kani.
Emily was working in the hospitality industry before making the leap into real estate. With no industry experience but plenty of passion, she joined Barfoot & Thompson and built a thriving career from the ground up. She’s now a successful salesperson in our Waiuku branch, and living proof that with the right support, a big career change is absolutely possible.
Watch our Head of Talent & Training, Rachael, sit down with Emily to talk about her journey, the challenges she overcame, and how she found the perfect blend of flexibility, independence, and growth in real estate.
Ready to take the first step?
If you’re motivated, great with people, and looking for a career where your success is in your hands, we’d love to hear from you. Regi
If you want to find out more about how a career in real estate could be the right move for you, register your interest here and someone from the Barfoot & Thompson Talent Team will be in touch with you.
