Hi,
Typically the classes can be taken all at once, in a couple of weeks, although you can usually also find options in any state that allow people to take them during the evenings over a longer period of time.
As far as finding a good company to work for, you really want to do some research and weigh factors like:
Which companies have good name branding and presence in your area?
What are the costs associated with each?
What perks are included as part of the cost structure? (Photocopies, newspaper ads, that kind of thing.)
How much training or mentorship will you get as a new agent? (This is huge.)
And mainly, try to get a good feel for the overall office atmosphere - is it friendly? Are people focused on work, or on finding reasons to go out for lunch and/or complain about real estate/ the market/ the management? Even nice people can drag you down if they're not focused on moving ahead.
One of the main things I would say starting out is to set up a system, at least monthly, of contacting your sphere and adding to that list. Send them things that are useful, like market updates, remodel tips, resource lists, even monthly community events (those are very popular, just include a note about the real estate market so they get your professional side also) - but do this from the very beginning, and if you're like 90 or 99% of agents, myself included, make it automated so that you never skip a month. It takes a while before people start thinking of you as a resource, but it absolutely pays off.
Hope this helps - best wishes in your new career!
Irene Dorang
www.ToolsForRealEstate.com
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