turn you down? i read most will hire anyone with a license, regardless of their ability. what would be the reasons why a brokerage would not hire you?

Inexperience and need for training would be two reasons to not "hire". As a side note, I really don't like to use the term "hire" when discussing an independent contractor associating/hanging their license with a company. It implies an employee/employer situation and that can be a problem on several levels.

I know I am not interested in allowing a newly licensed agent to hang their license with my company and be active. I personally don't want the liability and don't have the time to train/mentor them.

Were you turned down?

You better get use to rejection if you plan on being a successful Realtor!

Gulf Winds is right though. It's also possible that you and the broker just didn't make a connection.

Soon after I got my license, I interviewed with a luxury brokerage in my area. I selected it because their parking lot was full of Mercedes, BMW's, ect. I remember thinking, this office is the one for me and I really wanted to work there. Turns out, this broker didn't give me the time of day. He was just not interested in me at all. I was really let down.

Anyway, I found another firm that turned out to be the perfect fit. Soon after I was approached by the Top Agent to join his Team. Two years later, I had my own sales team and haven't looked back. I'm certain that the other broker remembers our interview and hopefully he regrets his decision!

Interview at several offices. Call some local agents and ask them how they like their office and broker. The right fit is important and you will find it.

A good agency will be particular in hiring. This is an issue I'm spending alot of time on right now.

Some reasons for not extending an offer are:

* The potential agent wants to be part-time. Part-timers struggle because they are trying to divide their energy. Most drop out after a bit with little to show. Very few every make the transistion to full time. So, why hire them?

* The potential agent has no money. It takes dollars to start in real estate. There are licensing fees, association dues, business cards, initial training costs, marketing, etc. Plus, you need funds to sustain yourself for several months. It is not the brokerage's job to provide that start-up capital.

* The potential agent lacks motivation. Many folks get a license so they can dabble in real estate. I'm always getting folks who don't want to work with the general public but just want to use the mls to buy flip houses. And, of course, they want to pay minimal commissions on these homes. I've run into others who want to sell 2-3 homes a year. All these kinds are a waste of a broker's time and energy.

* The potential agent won't commit to initial training and productivity standards. I have new agents sign an expectation letter that details exactly what training they are to complete (and when) and what level of production is expected. Often, when I introduce the requirements to potential recruits, they don't come back again. That's ok.

* The potential agent is too demanding. I've had folks who wanted me to provide them with office space, pay for intial marketing, and a more generous split -- during the initial interview. Such folks are unwilling to learn and clients can smell their arrogance.

* The potential agent lacks the personality to interact with the public. Some folks are just too darn shy. This one is tricky because some folks just don't interview well. That's why I look for previous experience with sales, teaching classes, fundraising, etc.

* The potential is just plain weird. Some folks lack the personal hygenine, dress and demeanor to interact with the public. A few have a criminal record or previous history of shadyiness in business. Some are just plain mean.

I know a company that requires a 2 year contract upfront with proof of 6 months income put away and a written committment to meet training requirements and production standards. They offer amazing training coupled with enormous accountability. Someone going to their shop is likely to be successful both in terms of income and skill. They have folks pounding on their doors and I've been told that they accept only about 20% of those they interview.

Frankly, a company that turns down folks is a sign of a good brokerage.

Having said that, there are brokerages that do accept anyone who breaths. But, that it is often a sign of weakness in the company.

^^^^ VERY well said staggart ^^^

I would strongly suggest interviewing with several brokers. When I started I had the same set of questions for all of them then made a comparison chart of the answers. My intuition was good and and went back to where I started. Worked well for many years but the office attitudes changed when the son took over after his father's death. I'm now on my own and doing fine.