At Edge Recruitment, we speak to hundreds of property and real estate professionals each year—and there’s one insider tip we find ourselves sharing with candidates to help them stand out among their job-hunting competitors: your questions in an interview say as much about you as your answers do.

Asking thoughtful, strategic questions doesn’t just show that you’ve done your homework. It shows that you’re serious about your next move, interested in the success of the team, and thinking beyond your start date. But not all questions are created equal. Some have become so overused such as “What’s the culture like?” or “Where do you see the company in five years? that they may no longer spark meaningful conversation.

We asked our Senior Recruitment Consultant, Mary-Jane Massicci, what types of questions can really get noticed by hiring managers in real estate right now. With over two decades of experience in the Adelaide property sector, Mary-Jane knows exactly what separates standout candidates from the rest.

“The best questions show you’re not just looking for a job—you’re looking for the right fit, the right tools, and the right opportunity to grow,” says Mary-Jane.

So what should you ask?

Here are some of the clever, current, and genuinely insightful questions candidates should consider asking at their next interview:

• “How will I be onboarded, and what ongoing training or mentoring is available?”
  
  
• “What CRM or software tools do you use, and how do they support day-to-day work?”
  
  
• “How is success measured in this role, aside from sales targets?”
  
  
• “What do you enjoy most about working here?”
  
  
• “Can you tell me about someone who’s progressed within the team, and how they achieved that?”
  
  

All these questions can give you real insight into how the agency operates—and help you gauge whether you’ll be set up to succeed.

You could even consider asking how the agency supports its agents with marketing and building their personal brand. This shows them that you're thinking long-term about your success, and shows you what kind of resources, training, or tools the agency provides to help you grow your visibility and client base. 

“It’s not just about whether you fit the team, it’s about whether the environment supports your growth,” added Mary-Jane. “If you’re someone who wants to build your personal profile or work with the latest tools, these are the things you need to ask about.”

Asking about onboarding and training can also reveal whether a business invests in its people or expects new hires to sink or swim. And when it comes to performance, smart candidates are digging deeper than just commissions or monthly numbers.

“A lot of agencies now look at things like client feedback, repeat business, or even how well you work with the broader team,” Mary-Jane says. “If those things matter to you, bring them up.”

Equally telling is the response you get when you ask someone what they personally enjoy about their job. If they light up and start sharing stories, it can give you a much more authentic picture of what it’s like to work there.

Ultimately, asking better questions leads to better conversations—and better decisions. You’ll walk away with more than just a surface-level impression, and the employer will walk away knowing you’re a proactive, thoughtful professional.

“I always tell my candidates: don’t wait until after the job offer to work out if it’s the right move,” says Mary-Jane. “Use the interview to really explore whether this is a place where you can thrive.”

Edge Recruitment connects high-performing professionals with career-defining opportunities in real estate, property and general administration across Adelaide. Want personalised advice for your next interview? Reach out to our experienced team today.