Although becoming a real estate agent offers a certain flexibility that a desk job may not, there’s one thing that the two have in common: interviews! To work with a real estate broker, you have to undergo the interview process just like any other job. Whether you are comfortable with interviews or not, it’s in your best interest to prepare for your interview with a real estate broker. The more prepared you are, the easier it is for you to make a good impression in your employer’s eyes. Let’s examine some interview tips below.
Do Some Research on the Real Estate Brokerage Ahead of Time
In a previous article about choosing the right brokerage, we discussed the importance of researching your options beforehand. That includes learning about a brokerage’s reputation, commission structure, and whether you should work for a franchise or an independent brokerage.
More importantly, we discussed the importance of knowing whether you would fit that brokerage culture. Not every real estate broker provides the same work environment and culture. Some who are becoming a real estate agent set themselves up for disappointing interviews because they are a poor cultural fit.
With that said, choosing a brokerage that you think would be a good fit for you culture-wise will increase your chances of having a successful interview. And by successful, we mean an interview that will get you on to the broker’s roster.
What Should You Ask a Real Estate Broker to Determine Your Fit
Asking good questions is the key to determining how well you may fit with a real estate brokerage. You want to ask questions before the interview that will help you determine how well you match.
Before the Interview
- What type of real estate agent seems to work here?
- How established is this brokerage?
- What do clients and other agents say about this brokerage online?
- What does this brokerage say about their sales approach or training online (if they say anything at all)?
- How much help, if any, are you looking for while building your real estate business?
Answering these questions can help you choose if you want to have an interview with a real estate brokerage in the first place or not. Of course, once you’ve decided that a particular real estate broker seems like a good choice, you should prepare to ask and answer certain questions.
During the Interview
- Answer: “What kind of real estate business do you want to run?”
- Answer: “What are your short-term and long-term goals in real estate? How independent would you like your business to be? “
- Answer: “How much money do you expect to make in your first year after becoming a real estate agent?”
- Ask: “What are your short-term and long-term expectations for me as a real estate agent?”
- Ask: “What training and support do you offer? Do you help your agents build a business plan for themselves?”
- Ask: “What is a day in the life of an agent working for your brokerage?”
Of course, you should feel free to ask anything that comes to mind that will put your mind at ease including commission structure or asking if they’ve ever had a problem with the code of ethics. Just remember to use your discretion when asking certain questions. There’s no harm in asking about commission structures, for example, but do so tactfully and don’t make money your only motivation for working as a real estate professional.
Also, be sure to get a tour of the building to get a sense of what it’s like to go to that office every day. Pay attention to even the smallest details such as the demeanour of the agents in the office and whether the atmosphere feels warm or not. What you sense will be based on intuition, but your intuition is often right.
Also, you can look on review sites such as Google My Business or Indeed because employees often post their interview experience. Keep in mind that your interview might be different from someone else’s, but it may be an indicator of what yours might be like.
Inquire About Any Fees to Pay For Joining the Brokerage
As the cliche goes: “You have to spend money to make money.” Although it doesn’t apply to every real estate broker, working with some brokerages could mean having to spend a few dollars on occasion. Don’t panic, though. These expenses often go towards beneficial aspects of your career, so the money isn’t wasted.
Potential Expenses for Real Estate Agents
- Real estate membership costs
- Fees for additional training and coaching
- Real estate license renewal fees
- Leads and marketing
There may be other expenses and fees, some of which may be out of pocket, that you have to pay. Depending on the brokerage, these fees may be covered. Nevertheless, you should ask about the potential out-of-pocket fees ahead of time. That way, there’ll be no surprises or unexpected costs.
Acing the Real Estate Brokerage Interview
An interview at a real estate brokerage might seem intimidating. But keep in mind that many people have transitioned into real estate successfully. They had to learn new skills and bring out sides of their personalities that they may never have expressed before. Nevertheless, they did it and are now thriving.
Preparation is key. The more questions you prepare ahead of time, the more straightforward the interview will be, and the more your confidence and personality will shine through. And in real estate, confidence and personality will take you far.
Are you becoming a real estate agent or looking for a new opportunity in real estate? Get in touch with us to begin your journey today.
