Hi everyone, I just finished college and have interviewed for two different roles at two different firms (JLL and CBRE). I already got an offer with CBRE as a Research Analyst and should hear back whether I got the Associate position at JLL later this week (recently met the team in the office late last week).
If I get offers from both places, I honestly am going to have a tough time on choosing. I liked both teams and firms in different ways and liked being salaried in the beginning with the analyst position and learn about the market vs. being on a draw right away. I eventually want to become broker because and CBRE made it clear within two years I'd either have the opportunity to join a brokerage team. What I liked about JLL was I'd be able to be on a brokerage team already but my interest for the asset class is just okay (I like life sciences and office a lot).
I had alumni connections at both firms that helped me get my foot in the door for both places and don't want to unintentionally burn bridges for them putting themselves out there and me not accepting.
Does anyone have any 0.02 on how to decide on which job to take if I get accepted to both?
What kind of market are these roles in?
Baltimore
So, presuming you get the JLL offer, you are deciding between two good options.
Personally (and please note, a lot of personal bias in this answer).... I'd probably go with the CBRE Research Analyst role over the JLL Industrial Associate one, unless you are really really stoked on wanting to do industrial real estate, in Baltimore for a significant portion of your career. I seem to recall you posting things about being somewhat unsure about long term (and if you just finished college, you should be, I mean, how can anyone know all at that stage...), and even mentioned other markets (I may be confusing with some other poster, but not that many ask about Baltimore/DC brokerage out of UG on WSO in fairness). As such, the flexibility and optionality of a two year "stint" in research at CBRE can be really really valuable.
From that role, you can transition to brokerage as they said (I think CBRE, like a lot of firms, makes many UG grads go this route as standard practice), or transition to other roles within a firm like CBRE (like valuation or consulting), or even have a shot at buyside roles. Plus, you can jump markets (I've seen this happen within a firm like CBRE) to join a brokerage team or even within research if you want. The research analyst role just has a lot of flexibility, which can be good at your stage of the career. Plus, you get to learn more about the business and industry before feeling pressure to lock in. Moving from the JLL industrial role to anything other than another industrial role (and really in Baltimore) is more of a "jump" with less transference (please do not interpret this as a "pigeonholing" comment, far from it, just a relative comparison of the two roles), meaning you may have to "reset" more than move up with such moves.
Also, and this is really just a broad side guess, but Spencer Levy (if you know who this is, you should before accepting the CBRE role if you do) is based in Baltimore, and I'd guess they don't have that many offices in that town. Thus, if you work in research, and network with him (I mean, you probably have to), he could potentially introduce to many other parts of CBRE (nationwide) for your next role. Yeah, this is a random X factor, but when you said CBRE, research, Baltimore... my mind went there (to be fair, as someone not in Baltimore, only reason those would ever be thought of).
TL:DR - If really want to do industrial in Baltimore, take JLL (if offered), otherwise go research at CBRE just for learning/flexibility of next role
Note - I would put ZERO weight to compensation at this point of your career, the JLL role "could" totally pay more, but realistically, it takes a few years for those to really pay off unless they just place you on the best accounts on day one (which they rarely do....).
Thank you redever always dropping solid insight! I 80% sure I will take this role for the things that you mentioned with having more flexibility and getting paid to learn instead of being on a draw right away. And yes, I was the same poster a few months ago about trying to figure out which market. They said I need to stay in research for at least two years and then I'm open to move through the firm whether that be on a brokerage team or move up in the research role. Another plus is my hours being protected 9-5 so I can enjoy my 20s before fully committing to being a broker. Thank you again for explaining the pros/cons of deciding between the two!!!
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