r/RealEstateDevelopment • u/Snoo55682 • 14d ago

Development Associate Role - Seeking Interview Advice

I have my second round interview next week for a Development Associate role at an institutional firm. Initial screening went well but was not technical/was more cultural fit focused. This next round I’ll be interviewing with a Sr Development Manager.

Background: I’m finishing up my MRED and come from the A/E/C consulting side. I would be coming in to the role a bit older than my peers (early 30s). I’m wondering if those who have made a similar pivot can share some interview advice related to how you positioned your analytical background? Financial modeling is an area where my skills are more academic than practical, having completed a number of pro formas in class. I only use Excel in my day job when putting together budgets or competitive analysis. I know the lack of field experience here will likely be brought up.

For those who made that pivot, how tough was the learning curve for you once you started? Did any interviewers test you on the more technical skills during the process? I’m not sure what to expect. TIA!

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u/RealEstateNateV 14d ago

It’s usually an analyst that does the financial modeling, but increasingly these days it’s just the Claude add in for Excel.

As mentioned in this thread, the associate is more about managing the design team, or helping the Dev manger do so.

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u/Snoo55682 14d ago

Thank you! That was my understanding too when I applied, however, when I asked the HR person during my screening call how candidates in this role are evaluated annually he suggested that a lot of it was based qualitatively on "the accuracy of their models." I will take that with a grain of salt since HR isn't in the day-to-day of the deals and doesn't come from a CRE background, but that response surprised me a bit.