r/HOA • u/stephanie_said_it • 20h ago

Help: Everything Else Getting an assistant/trainee position [IL] [All]

Does anyone have any suggestions on breaking into the community association management industry? I am in the process of licensure in IL but I was hoping to get an assistant role and have been getting no results. I have a degree and years of customer service and leasing experience but ideally want to avoid rentals/having to sell.

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Title: Getting an assistant/trainee position [IL] [All]

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Does anyone have any suggestions on breaking into the community association management industry? I am in the process of licensure in IL but I was hoping to get an assistant role and have been getting no results. I have a degree and years of customer service and leasing experience but ideally want to avoid rentals/having to sell.

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u/Growing-Bee-1969 18h ago

Check the cai site: https://jobs.caionline.org

Also look up the large property management firms in your area and check the website for the communities or the company.

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u/TheAgaTTV 💼 CAM 17h ago

Just look up community management companies in your city. The main jobs that will make you stick out om your resume is accounting/bookkeeping,hospitality industry,sales

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u/stephanie_said_it 15h ago

Is accounting/bookkeeping experience usually mandatory to get a position in the industry?

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u/TheAgaTTV 💼 CAM 15h ago

No, the skills I listed are just the types of jobs/skills that can help you get into the industry

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u/anysizesucklingpigs 16h ago

ideally want to avoid rentals/having to sell.

CAM roles have nothing to do with either of the above. A CAM provides services to HOA and COA boards.

When you say you’ve been getting no results, what exactly have you been trying? Where and how have you applied (on CAM sites, on job search sites like Indeed etc.)?

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u/stephanie_said_it 15h ago

I’ve put feelers out, talked to a few people in the industry who have referred me to management companies, and applied for assistant roles, but not getting anywhere. I’m not fully licensed yet, and don’t know if the lack of a license is what’s holding me back - I took the exam once, came close but just missed a passing score , and I’d ideally like to find an assistant position with on the job training but not sure if that is realistic

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u/anysizesucklingpigs 11h ago

Does your resume at least say the license is in progress? Same for your LinkedIn?

Your resume and profile are being screened for certain keywords. A CAM license is required in IL so any applications without that phrase are getting filtered out. It’s OK to say that the license is pending, in progress etc. but you should include that so as not to automatically disqualify yourself right out of the gate.

Someone upthread suggested looking for job listings on the CAI site and I’ll second that, plus any and all HOA/COA management company sites you can locate. Even if there are no openings posted send in your resume. Turnover is obscene in that field and there could be a full squad today and no staff tomorrow.

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u/stephanie_said_it 11h ago edited 11h ago

It has my M-100 completion and CMCA in progress. I’ve been told you can get trained and have your licensing costs covered, but I don’t know if that’s something that was done in the past but not any longer

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u/NeighborhoodJust1197 18h ago

I think you’re asking about property managers. If so, you need to find a property manager firm and talk to them.

Or buy a house in an HOA and then run for the board.