I've been to a couple interviews this week and have some advice for anyone interviewing for the first time...

Choose two or three firms that you [i]wouldn't[/i] want to be associated with, and interview with them first. This will give you a couple references to how an interview works - before you interview with the firms you want to join.

I know... all firms (and interviews) are different, but this will hopefully help you relax when it counts. It'll also help you discover which questions to ask and give you an idea of what firms will offer.

That may have worked for you but I started with the first agency I interviewed (after also interviewing 7 others). But then my entry in to real estate was after many years in other types of employment so interviewing was not a new experience.

Well...'suum quique' -- to each his own. If you feel tense before an interview and that kind of 'hopping' helps -- then why not.

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Why the nerves? You should be interviewing the firm as much as they are interviewing you.

I interviewed with a firm I not think I would ever like but they invited me and provided food and drink, I had time, so I had a sitdown/interview with the broker. We discussed the Brokerage's vision and my business plan.

I really liked this Company they had much to offer. He liked my business plan and found it solid and credible. The only problem was our plans did not match. I won't change, he won't change so we agreed that I likely would not do well in his brokerage. We shook hands and parted ways. I still see him a couple times a years and we are friendly. He'd "hire" me today, and I could adapt my plan around his formula.

The point being. Brokers need agents as much as agents need brokers. Knowing where you, as an agent, wants to be puts you in control of the interview and less nervous. The hiring Broker then needs to give you the map to reach your goals.

On a side note. Interviewing potential clients is the same. The listing presentation is not about getting the listing. It should be about you, as an agent, actually looking to see if you want the listing.

It seems to be difficult these days to get into a firm. While I was leaving my old firm, I have seen my application rejected twice so far...Seems that hard time is hammering...

I don't think that makes sense to interview more than 4 companies.

There are a number of benefits to meeting with as many brokers as possible. First, this business is all about networking, not only with our SOI but with vendors and other brokers and agents. I would never turn down an opportunity to have a meeting with another broker. You may hit if off. You may not. But at the very least, you'll now be able to place a face to a name, and you'll be familiar with the office. That can only help you in the future. MORE important, the more brokers who can place YOUR face and YOUR name, the better off you are. Most brokers do recruit. So it's nice to be on their lists and get a phone call to 'catch up' every couple months. There really is no downside to this at all. Meet as many agents and brokers as you can. Visit as many offices as you can. With luck and hard work you'll soon be carrying contracts over to those agents and those brokers and they'll like you all the better!

Then there's the possibility that you'll persuade another agent to come affiliate with YOUR office. That would certainly score you some brownie points with your own office manager/broker.