New Study Reveals Majority of Women in Commercial Real Estate Actively Engaged in Job Search

NEWPORT BEACH, CA and DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Apr 14, 2014) - RETS Associates, the premier commercial real estate recruiting firm on the West Coast, and Gillham, Golbeck & Associates, a Dallas-based executive search firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate, today announced the findings of an inaugural Women in Commercial Real Estate Recruiting and Retention Study that indicate that 57 percent of women in the industry are actively involved in job search.

The study polled nearly 400 professionals with entry-level to senior-management experience from across the nation on a wide range of recruiting and retention issues. Among the findings that inform why the majority of women are actively pursuing a new position, three primary drivers arose: being bypassed for promotion, lack of mentorship, and increased job opportunities in commercial real estate (CRE). Specifically:

• 47 percent of respondents felt as though they had been bypassed for a promotion
• 87 percent work for a company that does not offer a mentorship or career-development program expressly for women, and 69 percent want their company to offer such a program
• 51 percent see an increase in the number of job opportunities for their role

"This study sheds a bright light on the fact that women want mentoring and greater opportunities to grow their career, and they recognize that the current increase in job openings affords them more options professionally," said Jana Turner, principal of RETS Associates. "Commercial real estate companies must take seriously this 'sea change' in women's perceptions about the market, and offer programs and benefits to encourage and promote career growth as a means to retain top female talent."

According to Rick Gillham, president of Gillham, Golbeck & Associates, more women are rising in the ranks of corporate leadership outside of the traditional human resources and marketing roles. "When one looks at executive leadership in commercial real estate companies -- whether they are landlords, brokers, REITs or developers -- the overwhelming percentage is male," said Gillham. "But that is changing. Anecdotally, we have seen women enter the C-suite in finance and asset management for mid-sized CRE companies across the country."

About Gillham, Golbeck & Associates:
Gillham, Golbeck & Associates, Inc. is an executive search firm focused exclusively on the commercial real estate industry. For more than 30 years, the firm's expertise and in-depth knowledge of local, national and international markets have ensured that clients consistently receive the most comprehensive, all-inclusive service in recruiting well-qualified executives and senior-level professionals. For more information, visit www.ggasearch.com.

About RETS Associates:
Founded in 2002, RETS Associates is the West Coast's premier firm specializing in the recruitment and staffing and placement of interim, permanent and executive positions in the commercial real estate and financial services industries. RETS Associates' clients include REITs, developers, investors, pension fund advisors, operating companies and real estate services firms doing business in property management, facilities management, corporate services, and brokerage sales and leasing. For more information on RETS Associates, please visit www.retsusa.com.