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Skills Needed As a House Manager

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A house manager is responsible for handling the daily operations of a house and responding to its tenants' needs. The job description depends heavily on the exact position, in settings such as student housing, a retirement home, homeless shelter, a private residence, or a fraternity or sorority house. The ideal skill set needed to be successful in this profession includes good communication, organization and leadership capabilities.

Communication

Communication is a skill needed in any management position and one of the most important aspects of this job. A house manager must create clear and open lines of communication between himself and residents to ensure that all needs and problems are handled quickly and efficiently. The house manager is the point of contact for outside vendors and service providers, so it's imperative that he clearly communicate with tenants about living environment issues, such as construction and cleaning.

Responsibility

A good house manager must demonstrate strength of character and high levels of responsibility. She'll be in a role where many people depend on her for guidance regarding house rules and regulations. A responsible individual can juggle any tasks thrown at her and delegate assignments to other staff to ensure timely completion of house-related projects.

Organization

House managers are responsible for maintaining and documenting everyday operations, such as maintenance and food services, and queries from house members. Organizational skills help a successful candidate multitask. Professional Resume, a resume building website, lists organization as a highly desired skill for a managerial candidate, because it ensures that deadlines are met efficiently and effectively.

Leadership

Residents look to the house manager as a point of authority on all house-related issues, so you must be a strong leader who can command the respect of tenants. This quality is especially important when managing a house with students or younger individuals.

Discretion

A house manager might be privy to sensitive personal information, such as medical files or financial history, especially in the case of a nursing home. Tenants must trust that the house manager will keep all information private. Residents also confide problems and complaints to the house manager about other residents, so confidentiality is important in this relationship. Residents must feel safe and protected in their homes.

Writer

A West Coast transplant currently living in Washington D.C., Rhiana Quick has always had a passion for writing and started her freelance career in 2010. Quick earned her bachelor's degree in political science and French from Boise State University and is currently working at a nonprofit organization.

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