How to Get a Colliers Employee Referral
Colliers is a global, diversified commercial real estate and investment management firm known for an enterprising, high-ownership culture - and because so much of its work is relationship-driven, a warm referral is one of the clearest ways to reach the right hiring team.
Quick answer
Yes, Colliers takes employee referrals: an employee puts your name in internally, usually before you apply, and about 50% of hires come through referrals. You do not need to already know someone there. You need an employee you share a school or a past employer with, and a short conversation.
- Find Colliers employees who share your school or a past employer (the free search above).
- Ask for a 15 minute chat about their team, not for a job.
- If it goes well, ask them to submit your referral before you apply.
Referral bonuses at large companies typically run $1,000 to $10,000, paid to the employee who refers you, never to the candidate. See reported referral bonus amounts by company.
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✍️ Ready-to-send intro“Hi - we both studied at [your school]. I’d love to hear about your path to a company you are targeting before I apply…”
… plus everyone else in your network who can put in a good word.
See who can refer you in - pick your target company:
By the Numbers
Colliers spans brokerage (leasing and capital markets), property and asset management, project management, valuation and advisory, engineering and design, and investment management. Its culture emphasizes an ownership mindset - many leaders are also shareholders - which makes internal endorsements carry real weight.
A referral routes your application to the recruiter with a colleague's backing attached, so it gets a genuine read rather than sitting in the queue. The interview process is unchanged - the referral is about access and attention, not lowering the bar.
How to Get a Referral: Step by Step
- Find a real connection: Use FindWarmIntros to surface Colliers employees who share your school or a past employer - Colliers hires from real estate, finance, project management, and engineering backgrounds.
- Pick the service line: Brokerage, property and asset management, project management, valuation and advisory, and investment management run distinct pipelines. Know which fits before you ask.
- Speak to the ownership culture: Colliers screens for entrepreneurial, self-directed people. Framing what you would build or own in the role resonates more than a generic pitch.
- Make the ask specific: Send your contact the exact requisition link and a two-line summary of why you fit - that is all they need to refer you.
- Follow up within a day: After they submit you, thank them and ask about the team and recruiter so you are ready when outreach comes.
Tips That Make the Difference
Property and asset management hire steadily
Property managers, asset managers, and building operations roles see continuous demand across regions, with less competition than headline brokerage seats.
Brokerage is relationship-first
Capital markets and leasing teams recruit people a producer already knows. A warm introduction to the right lead beats a cold application here.
Acquired-firm alumni are strong referrers
Colliers has grown through acquisitions, so former colleagues now inside Colliers are valid, high-value referrers - widen your search to include past employers.