Tahnee Barnes found herself lost for words when she discovered she had won the coveted three-month internship with Bill Malouf, director of LJ Hooker Double Bay - a feeling she was not used to.

"For once I was actually lost for words," Barnes told SCHWARTZWILLIAMS when we chatted the day after the prize was announced.

“I am completely blown away to be named LJ Hooker’s Million Dollar Intern," she said. "I wanted it so badly but to actually have won is just amazing,” she said.

So keen was Barnes's interest in the internship that at the end of her interview with Malouf she asked if she had the job. 

Malouf, who is one of Australia's leading real estate agents, said asking this question was a key turning point in the selection process.

"In real estate, we teach agents to never leave a listing appraisal without asking for business; this was a great first lesson for Tahnee," he said.

Twenty-eight-year-old Barnes has had an interesting career already. She grew up on a farm in Crookwell in rural NSW, and spent 10 years in the Australian military. She was deployed in Afghanistan and East Timor. She was living in Canberra and working in recruitment when going through the selection process.

In the military you work as a close team, said Barnes, and you have to form strong relationships and friendships in a relatively short period with your colleagues, a trait that is common the real estate, she said.

Throughout the interview process, Barnes managed to build relationships and impressed the people she spoke to. "It’s important that an agent can build genuine relationships and trust with everyone they meet," said Malouf.

During the rigorous selection process, each candidate was assessed on their submission video, Caliper behavioural testing, multiple phone interviews, including with LJ Hooker network chief and industry veteran Graeme Hyde, and finally a panel interview.

Barnes stood out across all sections, said Malouf.

“From the start, Barnes caught our attention. Her video submission was well-thought out, and while she came across slightly nervous, you couldn’t help but feel her presentation was sincere. As the other videos began flowing in, we always used Barnes as a benchmark,” he said.

Barnes's Caliper behavioural test cemented her as the front runner, said Malouf.

Barnes will now be flown to Sydney in July to undertake a four-day LJ Hooker course called 'Future Captains'. She’ll then spend the next three months shadowing Malouf, one of Australia's finest agents. 

"I'm going to watch everything Bill does," said Barnes.

Barnes will be provided with an insight into every aspect of real estate, from running the business, to property management, and through sales, administration, and management. 

Barnes will also have her Sydney accommodation provided, and an AUDI car to drive for the duration of the internship, as well as a new business wardrobe.

“The process has been challenging, thorough, and enjoyable," said Barnes, adding that one day she would like to repeat the process, but in the position of mentor.

And what of the future, SCHWARTZWILLIAMS asked her?

"I want to be Bill when I grow up," she said.

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