From beginner to reference point: Cristina’s story at Engel & Völkers

What she was looking for: autonomy, variety and people

Cristina fell in love with real estate because it offered her something her previous career couldn’t: freedom to organise her schedule, escape the routine of fixed hours, and the ability to choose the direction of her growth.

“Every day is different, and every client is too. There’s no boring routine. For me, that’s the best part of this job.”

But it wasn’t just the freedom that hooked her; it was also the human side behind every transaction. Guiding a person or a family through such an important moment as buying or selling a home is, for her, a unique experience every time.

The value of working at Engel & Völkers

From the very beginning, Cristina felt she was in the right place. Not only because of the brand’s reputation or the quality of the properties, but because Engel & Völkers offers something more: continuous training, support and a professional culture built on knowledge.

“Here you’re not just a go-between. You can be involved in the entire process, learn from every stage and become a fully rounded professional.”

And that’s not common everywhere. Cristina has colleagues from other agencies who only take part in the first stage of the process: they show the property and then pass everything on. She, however, can’t imagine working that way.“I would feel like something was missing. Here you understand everything: from the deposit contract to the notarial closing. That knowledge gives you confidence and real professional value. It gives you security. It gives you a solid foundation. Wherever you go, you take that know-how with you. It’s a value that doesn’t disappear.”

An unforgettable and very human anecdote

After almost a decade in the sector, Cristina has seen it all. But there’s one story she remembers with special affection (and a bit of disbelief):

“A client told me she wanted to try the apartment before buying it. Like trying on a pair of shoes. She wanted the owners to leave for 24 hours so she could sleep there and see if she felt comfortable…”

Although she didn’t end up sleeping there, the scene perfectly illustrates the variety of profiles and situations real estate advisors encounter every day.

“That’s the beautiful and crazy part of this job: every day is a different story. You never get bored.”

What she has learned — and not just on a technical level

Cristina speaks proudly about the journey she has taken. What started as a trial period has become a life project. And if she highlights anything, it’s the amount of learning she has accumulated, not only technically but personally:

• Practical psychology: “You learn to say the same thing in different ways depending on the person in front of you.”

• Self-awareness: “I’ve identified my weaknesses and turned them into strengths.”

• Organisation and method: “I wasn’t methodical at all before. But here, when you manage your own schedule, you learn to do it well.”

• Training without limits: “There’s no ceiling. You can learn as much as you want. And that’s not something you find everywhere.”

“This job forces you to evolve. If you’re willing to learn, you can go as far as you want here.”

A top-level school

One thing Cristina often says —half joking, half serious— is that Engel & Völkers trains a large part of the sector, including its competitors:

“There’s no real estate agency in Barcelona that doesn’t have at least one former Engel agent. And everything they know, they learned here.”

And she doesn’t say it with resentment. On the contrary, she sees it as proof that the brand is a true elite training school:

“Here you get real training. And that knowledge is what they then take with them to other agencies. But I wouldn’t leave. There’s no other place where I could grow like I do here.”

Realistic advice for those starting out

For those considering entering the sector, Cristina is clear:

“Don’t try to learn everything on the first day. This world is huge. But that doesn’t mean you can’t contribute from day one.”

According to her, the most important thing is to take things step by step, with humility and the desire to grow. And if you’re within a brand that trains and supports you, everything is easier.

A future with purpose

Cristina is proof that you don’t need to start knowing everything to build a great career. You need attitude, training and an environment that believes in you.

Today, after almost a decade, she still finds motivation in every transaction. Because for her, this job is not just about houses, but about stories, decisions and human relationships.

“Every client teaches you something. Every day is an opportunity to grow. And that’s what I like most about working here.”

Cristina’s story shows that when the environment is right and you put in the effort, there really is no ceiling to how far you can grow.

If you’re looking for a place to develop professionally, surrounded by people who inspire you and backed by a brand recognised worldwide, Engel & Völkers could be your next big step.

Discover how to join the team and start writing your own story today.