After a three-month search, LJ Hooker has announced the winner of its Million Dollar Intern competition.
Tahnee Barnes beat more than 200 other competitors to win the Million Dollar Intern contest, which was whittled down to five finalists in May, as published previously.
“I am completely blown away to be named LJ Hooker’s Million Dollar Intern, I wanted it so badly but to actually have won is just amazing,” Ms Barnes said.
Ms Barnes, along with the other finalists, was judged on a number of metrics, which included a video presentation, Caliper behavioural testing and phone interviews, one of which was with LJ Hooker network chief and industry veteran Graeme Hyde.
LJ Hooker Double Bay director Bill Malouf praised Ms Barnes for standing out among her competitors with an excellent video submission, achieving close to perfect scores in the Caliper behavioural test, and making memorable impressions in her phone and panel interviews.
“When [Ms Barnes] spoke, she was passionate, succinct, humorous and thoughtful, but what impressed me most was at the end of the interview, she did what no one else had and asked for the job,” Mr Malouf said.
“In real estate, we teach agents to never leave a listing appraisal without asking for business. This was a great first lesson.
“I look forward to working with [Ms Barnes] in August and seeing if she really has what it takes to be my Million Dollar Intern.”
As part of the prize, Ms Barnes wins a four-day LJ Hooker Future Captains training course, followed by three months at LJ Hooker Double Bay. She will also get free accommodation in Sydney and an Audi car for the duration of the internship, as well as a new business wardrobe and the completion of her NSW real estate certification of registration.
The other finalists will also take part in the training course.