You’ve passed your real estate exam. Now it’s time to find a brokerage firm as a new real estate agent. You already hold the credentials, and hopefully, you’ve had an opportunity to leverage your network to at least land an interview. Read on for some tips for you to succeed in your interviews as you try to land your first position.
What Should You Wear?
Business casual is the name of the game here. You’re dressed to impress your new boss at the agency.
For gentlemen, that means a collared shirt, tie, and nice slacks. Shave if you haven’t already grown a full beard, mustache, or goatee. Groom yourself appropriately and style your hair so it looks professional and sharp.
For ladies, a pantsuit or longer skirt is ideal along with professional, close-toed shoes. Coordinate a conservative blouse with a sweater or shawl for comfort. Look your best with a professional hairstyle and conservative make-up.
Timing & Items to Bring
The general rule of thumb is to arrive no later than five minutes before your interview. Have your resume and credentials in hand, just in case your interviewer has yet to examine your background and qualifications.
Questions To Expect
Although you may have an interview with your direct supervisor, other people on the team may sit in on the interview and ask questions as well.
Of course, there will be standard interview questions for you to answer, such as:
- What goals do you have for the next five years?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your top skills and how do you bring them to this position?
- What would you like to learn from this position?
Be prepared for questions specific to real estate, including:
- What is your favorite part of real estate?
- How do you create a client base and connections?
- How do you manage your time with daily tasks?
- What qualities do you believe a real estate agent should have?
- How do you stay organized when showing multiple homes in a single day?
- Talk about a time when you faced a challenge creating a relationship with an owner or tenant. How would you have handled that differently?
- What questions would you ask clients to make sure their needs are met and you understand them?
You’ll need to have in-depth responses to the real estate questions. Prepare to answer each question in around one to two minutes each.
Questions To Ask
Always ask questions of your interviewers. In fact, they expect you to ask questions.
- What are the expectations of my position?
- Where do you see this firm in five years?
- How do you handle the competition in the market?
- What are your most valuable relationships?
- What advice would you give me as a new real estate agent?
Standing Out
Standing out from a crowd is crucial to getting noticed by your potential supervisor.
Display an in-depth understanding of your region’s market. You’ll need to understand the local real estate market, developers, and property owners as well as recent sales info and statistics.
One way to truly stand out is having an understanding of real estate technology, such as 360-degree tours and virtual showings. This shows your interviewer that you are up to date with industry changes and progression, and willing to learn.
If all goes well, and you see yourself being hired, or if you have been hired, ask to meet some of your future coworkers around the office. Becoming more familiar with the people around you will help you transition into your new role and know where to go for support. It’s a team effort, after all.
Finally, the step you can take to show your dedication and a continuous drive for real estate is frequently enrolling in continuing education classes to expand your knowledge base. Our courses offered at the Indiana Real Estate Institute offer a great way to improve your understanding and connect with other professionals.
