Hello everyone, i recently just passed my real estate exam and i am ready to start working full time.
My question is, can i just walk in the brokerage office and talk to the broker, or should i call them up first and make an appointment over the phone?
Also what should my wardrobe be when i go in for the first time to talk to the broker, Suit, blazer and jeans or a polo shirt and jeans?
I want to go in tomorrow which is monday and set this up asap!

Thanks for taking the time, and if there are any important facts and info i should know before i go in please feel free and list them.

Thanks,
Jay

I asked the same question a few days ago.

Here is the post

In my experience thus far, it is better to call and set up an appointment with each broker. I did a few walk-ins, and didn't get very far with them. Each appointment could take anywhere from 30 minutes, to 3 hours, so schedule them wisely.

I would dress business casual (polo shirt and khakis/dress pants,) unless your market calls for something different. I see you're in NJ, so that should be sufficient. Remember, you are interviewing the broker, not the other way around. They should impress you.

It really depends on the company, but you do want to still put your best foot forward. I personally would not recommend casual for the interview.

You are seeking to be a professional, and you should dress accordingly. Once you begin working, you can dress any way that your market dictates. It's better to be overdressed for an interview.

Do you really believe that ?

No Broker HAS TO take on an additional liability.

Unless your applying for a super high end firm like Sothebys... ya for the most part you are interviewing the broker.

RE/Max will take you, Keller Williams, C21, Prudential, Realty Executives, Exit, Coldwell Banker, and the smaller regional chains will gladly tell you they are THE BESTEST EVARZ compared to anyone else.. and you should really stick your license on their wall.

I can relate my experience. I started 100% fresh with RE/Max in Georgia. Bad mistake.. RE/Max is great, but its like giving a Corvette Z06 to a 16 year old the day after they get their license. Their training was oriented towards experienced agents getting better.

I went from there to Keller Williams and spent 18 months there before I relocated to California to get married. Keller Williams actually does have a amazing training program.

In California I did mortgage for 3 years along with Real Estate for a small firm where I could sling loans with the purchase. I actually TRIPLE sided some deals.. was freaking amazing.

Later went to C21... for about 3 weeks until I realized that their culture was about their brand, not the agent. Sorry my opinion. I am not doing floor time to get "hot leads" and be a free secretary. They tried to force me to do floor time.

Went back to RE/Max and did well.

Point of the story is don't start with the 100% shops like Remax or Realty Executives. Save that for later if ever.

Don't do the traditional brokerages, they have poor training and systems typically.. and its about their brand, not about you. You will be restrained from creative stuff like borrowing inventory from other agents to advertise and doing your own sign designs. Its about THEIR franchise and brand.

I am a KW fan for a new person.. or even experienced folks. I think RE/Max messed up by adding all their fees and percentages to the simple 100% model they had in the beginning. Until someone invents something better I would honestly suggest looking at Keller Williams for their structured training programs, methods and their online modules on www.agentmountain.com

I believe you are interviewing the Broker. I have had a Broker or 2 not want me because of REOs and BPOs. They still would have signed me up if I agreed to dump that segment. Nice enough folk, no hard feelings, we shook hands end ended the meeting.

I would encourage you to set up a time to meet with him or her. Generally the broker has a pretty busy schedule so best to set that meeting time.

Regarding dress: I always encourage business or business casual. With our real estate team in Minnesota, I am a firm believer in dressing to match your client.

Congrats on getting into real estate! Our market here in MN is seeing a massive increase in pending sales year over year! Lots of MLS listings are selling! I am sure you will do great. Cheers!

in business better to over dress than under dress

Agree with lindermoe,

always better to overdress than under-dress. Whether your interviewing the broker or if the broker is interviewing you doesn't matter that much on your attire - dress nice and have a good meetings.

Just don't Un-Dress . . . . and if you do, you didn't hear it here.

That's not good etiquette for a first time meeting.

Well, we agree on something

I,too, am new to the real estate career field. Like, Jay123, I want to contact some brokers to set up some appointments. I have a question as to who I should ask to speak with. For example, should I ask for the office manager or the associate broker. Or should I try to apply online in a traditional sense with a coverletter and resume?

Call the office and ask them who you speak to about working there. Don't overthink it - KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

You do not need a cover letter and resume - you are not competing with others for a position. Most brokers will hire you if you are breathing, look mostly sane, and have an IQ of at least 40.

Perky - When your response was on the general board, all I could see towards the end was "Most brokers will hire you..." and then I pulled it all up because I said, 'if you are breathing!" Hehehe!

The expression is "Can you fog a mirror?"

Oh, that just makes me laugh!

It's one of the oldest saying in the world, but it's still true!

With the new credit rules, the minimum IQ has been upped from 40 to 60.

Is getting hired by a broker typically automatic?

In reality, no. The broker needs to decide whether it's worth putting their license on the line for you, but generally most broker's seem willing to take that chance...for a little while at least.

If it were, then Angelic Brokers like me: with great Commission Splits, Excellent Training Programs; Un-Limited No-Charge Leads; Limitless Marketing Support; No Sales or Listing Quotas; Holiday and Performance Bonuses; Company Cars; Reserved Parking; Clothing and Housing Allowances; Fully Funded 401K Programs; Health and Dental Insurance; Cost-Free Gym Memberships; Annual Company Cruises (optional); and complimentary ThanksGiving Turkeys and Christmas Trees . . . . et cetera, would be deluged with aspiring Agents, so we can only take on the Cream of the Crop!

Right now . . . . that's just me and my Wife.

I guess it's not a perfect world after all, hey Toto ?

Generally, I would say yes for the most part. If you are licensed and display a reasonable amount of competency you will probably be taken on. However, there are some exceptions:

Some brokers choose not to hire people who need training because they don't want to train them. (and some brokers don't offer training at all and kinda leave new agents hanging to fend for themselves.)

Some brokers have minimum sales quotas for agents to meet and while you may be taken on right away, they may tell you to get lost and find another broker if you turn out to be dead weight.

Vermont if you have all those perks, then I'm moving to Vermont and hanging my license with you! LOL

I'd move there too, but if I remember, there are 2 seasons, winter and August.
Actually, quite a few of my retired high school classmates moved to northern Vermont and New Hampshire. My all time best friend moved to northern Maine about 10 years ago and spends his time photographing wildlife.

You'll be the first to know if we have an opening!
Yes; but we also have Heating Season; Hunting Season; Fishing Season; Foliage Season; Skiing Season; Snowmobiling Season; Maple Sugaring Season; followed by our most favorite . . . . Mud Season (which is when those FlatLanders come up here with their fancy All-Season Tires; GPSs; and AAA 800 Numbers).

Maple Sugaring Season!!!!!!!!!!!

****swoon*****