Getting a real estate license doesn’t mean you are listing ready. There is a lot of buzz about how real estate agents are self-employed, but this is not the case when you are just getting started. Real estate rookies will need to partner with a broker, which is much like getting a job.
Real estate brokers are essentially the foundation for any agent. You don’t need one, but when starting out, it’s vital. Brokers give agents support via branding, marketing and legal.
“When deciding where to hang your hat, interview at least three different brokerages in order to get a feeling of how they work,” Sarah Davis of Money Under 30 suggested. “Some agents prefer big brokerages because the well-known company names help give them credibility.”
High-level brokers in your market may be hard-nosed when it comes to taking on a real estate rookie. This means you’ll need to develop a resume, get the job, and then hit the ground running to prove your worth.
How to impress your dream broker
Once you’ve decided on a broker you want to work with, it’s time to impress. First, know your audience. This is a skill that comes in handy for future listings, so you might as well start honing it now.
Most decision makers are a bit older, and even more old school. You can send an email with your LinkedIn profile, but they may want to see a resume hard copy to get the ball rolling.
This makes developing a powerful resume top priority. Don’t just wing it either. There are plenty of resume formats for brokers you can draw from online. Enticing resumes have the following key features:
- Masterful headline. Your resume headline sets the tone for the rest of the resume, and helps you stand out among the pack. In fact, you have seven seconds to make an impression.
- Showcase self-motivation. This is important because real estate agents need to be self-motivated to be successful. If you make this a point, it will impress brokers.
- Highlight specialties. Be sure to choose two or three of your specialties, as they relate to your future career, and make them prominent in your resume.
With resume in hand, you are ready to interview. You want to look your absolute best when going to meet the broker of your dreams. The broker will be assessing you the second you walk in, and if your look doesn’t fit their brand image, they will not take you on.
Real estate rookie pro tips:
- Invest in yourself. This means buying a new suit and getting it tailored to fit perfectly. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just ensure it fits well.
- Go to a salon or barber the day before the broker meeting. If the meeting is later in the day, you can probably swing a day of haircut and style.
- Research who you’re meeting with. Get to know them a bit via online research to make the first time you meet them a less tense moment.
- Buy new, appropriate socks. You would be surprised how many real estate rookies have white gym socks poking out from the bottom of their pant legs when seated.
After you have landed the broker of your dreams, it’s time to get to work. As a real estate rookie, you need to move fast and methodically to start building your reputation for success.
How to nurture real estate rookie success
There is a lot more that goes into being a real estate agent than most people think. To be a successful agent, multiply the need for planning and motivation by ten. Here are a few ways you can take your new career and make it successful from the get go.
- Develop a budget. The second you become a real estate agent, you take on a second budget. It is important to budget the two in detail, otherwise you may find yourself not being able to make ends meet. This can be an immediate ending to your career, because potential clients can smell a desperate agent, and that’s not good.
- Be a consultant, not a salesperson. Interestingly, you don’t necessarily need to be good at sales to be a great real estate agent. It does help, but to have success as a rookie agent, change your mindset from sales to consultant. This will make you a knowledgeable authority, rather than a pushy salesperson.
- Network like a boss. One of the most valuable skills a successful real estate agent has is the ability to network effectively. Most agents land clients based on connections outside of the office. This could be someone who you meet in passing who knows someone who knows someone who needs to sell his or her home. Networking is an important asset for real estate rookie success.
Wrapping up
The start of any new career is exciting, but a fresh real estate career can be even more exciting. You are essentially engineering your own success with no cap on earning potential. It is fast paced, fun and when done right, an avenue to success.
Emma Olivia is a freelance writer with Formula Internet in Los Angeles, California. Follow her on Google-Plus.
