Honest: Initially, I was super excited to work here. However about 2 weeks in I realized that management is terrible. I was being trained by a colleague (granted she was amazing, and actually made me feel wanted on our team) instead of the team lead. The Director's attitude towards the grievances I expressed were along the lines of "It's cheaper to keep her" even though she did next to nothing, except try to terribly micromanage us and unfairly place work loads on to myself and the colleague that trained me. Most importantly, the team lead constantly made religious, political, and racial remarks, such as: "I don't know about hiring her because she speaks "xxx" language and we won't be able to understand her when shes talking to X", "If you don't like this country then why are you here", and constant inappropriate remarks/conversations regarding the president and things like abortion. The fact is, considering the turnover rate for my previous position, that she is a terrible team lead, and the work environment is stifling, uncomfortable, discouraging, and unfair to every degree. Even colleagues in different departments expressed an incredible amount of disgust towards the management practices of "It's cheaper to keep her". When we desperately needed help for the excessive workload, the team lead opted for an incompetent, and hardly punctual lady and applauded her for the most minute of things. I consistently went above and beyond in my position, not for accolades, but for cust
Consbad management, no real opportunity for advancement, short break, the list goes on
Pros
• I have been with FirstService Residential MO/KS since my junior year of Highschool (2014) as a part of their pool division/maintenance. Most recently I had the opportunity to fill the role of Project Management Intern, earlier this year.
• The professional atmosphere and organization climate are simply great. FSR is built on 7 solid principles which are exercised with a high degree of effectiveness and efficiency every day. Upholding these principles is a well-balanced mix of hard working, personable, colleagues.
• The HR department could not be any better. I challenge anybody to try and find a more progressive, supportive and well-organized HR department filled with true leaders, not bosses.
• Last, I am extremely thankful for the opportunity FSR provided me. I enjoyed being a part of the organization’s professional community which says a lot as an intern in the corporate world.
Cons
• On occasion, a minor drawback I experienced was a lack of communication between departments. This is an issue experienced not just in business, but every aspect of life. Meaning the resolution should not be anything new to a professional and not too difficult to overcome, making it a minor issue (if it’s on those rare occasions).
• Being in the property management business certain time periods can cause internal stress. Stress is fine and absolutely normal in business but on rare occasions this stress was not handled in the most effective way and hindered the organization f
Loved working for this company in Florida (used to be Continental Group), although I heard it was not across the US. Had great opportunities for advancement, especially if you take advantage of all the FREE online courses they provide for you. Their mentor were incredibly productive and resourceful if you have a great mentor. Company really tries to do everything to make you succeed. However, because they are a property management group with some very exclusive affluent buildings they are huge on security and confidentiality. They want to maintain a great reputation and talking about your celebrity residents will get you fired immediately. You can say hello to them if you run into them at the bar, but don't get caught accepting a free drink. I loved the building I worked at. The good news is sometimes you're not a great fit at one building (you have a conflict with a co-worker) and they give you another chance at different building. This helped our admin who didn't mesh well with a property manager, but got on great at our office and became our property manager's right hand. But the bad news is they sometimes give people second chances and they come to your building and screw up your stuff too before they get let go.
The pay is independent based on what each building budgets for. So if your in a building with a big budget the wages are great, but little budgets don't pay well. But they do have a lot of opportunity to advance.
Hardest part is dealing with some snobby peopl
3.0
Senior Community Manager | Irvine, CA | Jul 29, 2016
New and Improved!
You can expect no dole moments working here! Every day is new and exciting. It was part of my job to attend to clients, vendors and internal personnel. You can expect working diligently a full 8 hours per day, 5-6 days per week. You should expect to check and get back to all emails and voice messages by the end of the day. There are internal meetings at least 2-3 times per week and external client meetings for each of your clients at least once per quarter. However, most client meetings are held once per month. You may also be obligated to attend monthly landscape walks with either your landscape committee or board of directors and landscape vendor. While my time working at FirstService Residential, I climbed the ladder starting as a Floater Associate Community Manager. After a short time in learning a new field and the ropes of the community management profession, I was given an opportunity to fill an open Community Manager position. Soon after, I became a Senior Community Manager, while taking on new responsibilities and job duties. The staff, vendors and clients are pleasant to work with. FirstService slowly took over the Merit Companies and brought in new and creative ideas. However, since the company moved to a new building in Irvine, California, the work environment became hard to work in as most of the employees were used to working in their own office or large cubicle space. The overhead soft music and wash out noise playing in the ceiling speakers did
ProsTraining classes, Great upper management knowledge/experience, Vendor lunches, Community gatherings, Great health benefits, Flexible schedules and people.
ConsLate night meetings, Overhead music, and small cubicles.
I've worked at FirstService as a front desk attendant at multiple buildings for about three years. All of what I say only applies to desk attendants. Some of the work experience will depend on the building that you're assigned to (each one has different management). Every supervisor I've ever had at this company has been kind and reasonable. My supervisors always made sure I was comfortable with my work, but no one is really concerned about your "success." This is not a job for career advancement (unless you're a student who wants to get some homework done during downtime, then it might be the perfect job). Even if you're trying to get into property management, don't start your career as a desk attendant for this company.
Shifts are 8 hours long. There is morning shift, evening shift, and overnight shift. There is no lunch break but thats ok because you will typically have at least a couple hours of downtime each shift. Pay is adequate, just make sure you ask for what you need or you might not get it.
The real star of this job is the relaxed pace and the downtime. If you want to avoid a stressful work environment, this is a great job. You will occasionally deal with grumpy and/or disrespectful residents, and management will typically have your back in those situations if its serious enough. However, most of the residents are really nice in most buildings, and its common to have brief but pleasant mini-conversations throughout your shift. The one exception to this is that yo
Prosrelaxed pace, good supervisors
Consvery low opportunity for advancement, mind numbing at times
Be sure to do your research before they place you in a building
I have experienced living in a First Service managed building and was also employed for 9 months as an associate. From my experience, the south Florida portion of the company is completely broken and dis functional from all angles.
Orientation/ training with HR was amazing but the building and operations itself was a completely different story. I was placed in a new luxury WorldCenter with an experienced management team. While the work environment may vary from residence to residence, in my building management never communicated with associates unless they had a problem with something. I saw the property manager maybe a handful of times and she rarely, if ever, addressed the associates directly.
First Call was never conducted once in my 9 months of employment but associates were constantly reprimanded for not knowing what was going on in the building. There was no additional staff for call-outs or vacations leaving the associates overworked and there was no flexibility in the set scheduling.
While the building’s amenities were 24hrs, the housekeeping and maintenance staff was not. This left janitorial duties, AC, plumbing and general maintenance issues to the nighttime front desk.. who were expected to resolve all issues completely (without the proper training) while being paid the same as the dayshift team.
I made multiple attempts to speak with the regional manager and was told how “valuable I was” and that he would meet with me but despite many follow-ups, I w
ProsGreat benefits and many options/ residences for placement
ConsPoor management, nepotism, and scheduling
5.0
Maintenance Technician | Melbourne, FL | May 24, 2019
Poor management
I happen to work in one location when management was the worst I ever work for everything there seem like a big secret I never had any equipment to work with because they used to tell me there is no money I don't understand that for me to perform my job I had to buy my own stuff the reason why I left was because this property was a big property when I got there there was a golf cart it was a little bit down but it wasn't working condition the golf club broke and never got repair and a big property of golf cart is not only for me to walk less but a golf cart is a tool to make the job better and and efficiently I was very sorry to leave this company I have work for many companies and this one offer a lot of good benefits I am trying to understand that this property wasn't doing so well but at least I asked for one thing to be upfront they never came up to me and try to explain to me why I cannot get a new golf cart I was very sad because I met some great people on this property I was working at and there will be very happy with my work but they also got to a point they were getting very upset that they will pay every month and there was seeing me walking around where does shopping cart trying to do my job as fast as possible. In the future I would like to work with first service residential again I don't know if I will get rehired ever again because I spoke my mind and I put a couple things on Facebook. Upset a couple people I am a fair worker I always was on time thought I was
I been at my Property for 10+ years now unfortunately I was placed in a smaller sized BLD (Building). Which left very little room to move up the ladder. As time progressed and my skills improved I took on more responsibilities without an exact title. My daily activities for work has a little more to do then just being at the front desk.
Checking my messages first, helps me head start my day. I am the Team Leader, I would make sure the staff (F.D.) fulfilled their obligations/responsibilities in my absence and check with them to make sure no info need to be passed down (helps determine if there is a situation I may need to address). Daily, aside from answering phones, trying to keep residents happy, and making sure the population on the property adheres to the rules and regulations set forth to Govern the BLD. I basically look for ways to reinvent my work area. I have created charts to help better understand some of our software here, I compose flyers for events that takes place in the building. Go as far as hosting a few of the events. Train new hires for the company. I just try to make sure I'm always on top of things, Lead by Example. Keep an open line of communication. If an emergency situation took place my steps is: I would fill out the proper forms, make necessary call but afterwards I would address my staff with as quick email blast to let the know at least of the type of incident that took place so over the next day or so, if anyone is approached by a resident regard
ProsHealth Insurance, Paid vacations, Paid Time Off (PTO)
Texas region president is difficult to say the least
In my short time at FSR, I was consistently pulled in two directions opposite of each other regarding internal IT operations eventually leading to my dismissal for "lack of performance." The corporate IT department head attempted to install a presence into the Texas region with hopes of establishing procedures and policies any typical large corporation would have. From the beginning, the market president refused to consider, without argument, even the simplest task of replacing end of life equipment or keep any kind of inventory. She fought every single procurement request made and even directed order cancellations for spare inventories. The heart of the problem was a "friends with benefits" arrangement that the president had with her best friend. The best friend's company provided all IT support services and equipment as needed until this corporate IT directive came down causing them to lose money. FSR has an awful track record of firing people without cause and without notice. I was aware of at least 15 people who were fired without cause including an HR manager who was hired a few days before I started. Her parting words to me were "be careful." I realized what she meant by that when I was blamed for not supporting a disaster situation involving a satellite office in San Antonio 3 weeks after being hired. The whole business operation including all equipment was moved from a damaged building to a new office with less than 2 days of downtime. At no time do I recall
1.0
Front Desk Receptionist | Miami, FL | Sep 16, 2020
Toxic work enviroment, Toxic people in power.
If you are able to accept rude comments from your higher ups, disrespect, nasty talk behind your back then this is your paradise, otherwise RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!!
These people are CORRUPT!
After begging HR for a transfer for 4 months due to toxic work enviroment due to a manager who screams racial slurs at the top of his lungs, was nasty with employees and residents makes up lies about you to get you removed.
I lost my job for 3 months and ended up homeless due to these gangsters who claim to be professional business people.
Lets not even start with their WEAK HR team. CAROLINA CASTRO is the DEVIL!! Beware of this woman. I was warned by a first service employee who worked for a different property about her unwillingness to help and she showed just that. She could care less that you lose your job, even when you have been bringing issues up to her for MONTHS!
If you're cool with these people you get your way. Not an ounce of professionalism is shown from these individuals. They go around speaking to each other like thugs. Constantly cursing and making nasty statements about the very people they serve (RESIDENTS)
If you live in a building managed by these psychopaths i encourage you to find another home, they don't appreciate you. They talk poorly about everyone, I've experienced it first hand.
These people are nasty, don't have morals, no professionalism, no positivity, no helpful resources.
The only positive thing I got from this job was meeting great residents who i still
Prosgreat resident connections
ConsNOTHING!!
Questions And Answers about FirstService Residential
What is the best part of working at FirstService Residential?
Asked May 11, 2020
No micro management
Answered Jun 29, 2022
The coworkers
Answered Jun 27, 2022
How often do you get a raise at FirstService Residential?
Asked Jul 15, 2021
Never.
Answered Aug 16, 2022
Yearly
Answered Aug 16, 2022
If you were in charge, what would you do to make FirstService Residential a better place to work?
Asked Oct 5, 2017
Document and follow through with all suggestions, comments and issues. Listen to employees. Make sure everyone is doing their part and following the same policies.
Answered Nov 13, 2020
Better training for management. Show more appreciation to the ones who go above and beyond. Don't keep people who are unreliable.
Answered Sep 27, 2020
What is the promotion process like at FirstService Residential?
Asked Apr 2, 2021
Impossible and political.
Answered Aug 16, 2022
Extremely difficult
Answered Aug 15, 2022
What tips or advice would you give to someone interviewing at FirstService Residential?
