Do you need a sales license to work at a brokerage? What (if any) are the pros of getting one if not?
If I wanted an analyst position at firms like CBRE/JLL etc., are there any pros to obtaining a license even though the job postings say it's not necessary? Just curious cause some also say "preferred". Curious to hear yalls experience with this.
It probably is. But I'm coming from a non-target school with a relatively low GPA (3-3.1) and a non-finance major (Computer information systems). I'm mainly getting the BIWS and ARGUS certs because I want to show initiative and dedication to CRE, and I need to learn how to do it anyway so why not.
I would 100% not recommend dropping $1,000 on the Argus Cert. Do you know anyone who has an Argus License that you could ask to visit them at their office and play around with the software a little?
Truthfully, most of the Argus runs that you deal with will already be premade by a Investment Sales broker at which point you sensitize the assumptions a little bit. I don't think its all too important for a new hire to know Argus. I think its just a soft skill preferred to weed out inexperienced hires and a proxy for those who have a tad bit of experience.
With all due respect, I think you have a very limited mindset when it comes to your outlook on your ability to get a job (which I partially think is the mindset for recent hires and college graduates on WSO in general). Your "Non-Target School, Barely a 3.0+ GPA, and Non-Finance Degree" matters a lot less than you think it does in your prospects to get a decent entry-level job in real estate. Will you have more than a .0001% chance to land a job at Blackstone, Oaktree, Tishman, etc...nope. But if you are likable, halfway intelligent, persistent, and continue to turn over stones in the job search - You will find a solid job. Having worked with a "megafund" and I can tell you firsthand, a decent chunk of our JV partners have worse resumes than you. What they did know how to do well was make money.
As much as Real Estate is beginning to become more institutionalized and look more like high-finance roles like traditional PE, HF, or banking, it is still an extremely fragmented industry with opportunities for those that hustle, for those that are creative, and for those who are persistent.
TL;DR - I think you're truly doing yourself a disservice with this mindset of you being an unworthy candidate due to a 3.1 GPA and "Non-Target" School.