I recently did a week’s work experience at Sewell & Gardner, working across their different offices, getting an insight into each department and how they contribute to the successful running of the business.
On my first day, in the Ricky branch I was given a presentation from Alex, the Managing Director, who gave me an introduction to the business. I learned the importance of the company’s brand values which differentiate Sewell & Gardner from other estate agents locally. I then got introduced to everyone at the other offices, Croxley, Chorleywood and Watford and got a chance to see how each branch is different. I spent the afternoon with Hannah who is the Operations Manager where I mainly learnt how the company advertises itself, through the use of digital marketing, including social media and their website.
On Tuesday I was in Croxley with my sister Claudia who is the Sales & Marketing Assistant. I learnt the process of making a brochure, changing the window cards, what needs to be done when there is a price reduction and the importance of doing an ID check for every property that comes onto the market. In the afternoon I went out with Tiffany, the Assistant Lettings Manager, where I saw how a lettings valuation is carried out. 
I was in Chorleywood with Charlotte on Wednesday where I observed her doing her day to day role (of sales support) making phone calls, putting together important letters like a sales memorandum. In the Chorleywood branch I witnessed the friendly community as their clients came into the office. In the afternoon I went back to the Rickmansworth office where I went out on a viewing with Joel from the New Homes team. He showed me around the Atmosphere apartments in Bushey and I especially liked the pink furnished apartment!
On Thursday I was in Croxley with Tyler the Assistant Manager who showed me how to register an applicant and what open questions to bring up in a natural conversation as the first stage of interaction with the client. Then I went to a move in with Saadia from the lettings team where I gave the tenants a bottle of prosecco to congratulate them on their new home.
On Friday morning I went out on two viewings. In preparation I got the brochures ready to give to the applicants. Now I have a better understanding of how a viewing is carried out and the type of questions applicants ask to the team when interested in that property. In the afternoon Ben from the land department explained how the process of land starts to finish and how they find new plots to take on as projects.
During my week I enjoyed going out on viewings the most, seeing the properties and interacting with the applicants. I noticed how friendly and welcoming everyone was in all offices towards both myself and the applicants which made my week very enjoyable and I hope to be back!