Being a real estate agent can, and should be, a very rewarding career. However, go into it with your eyes wide open and your homework done.

Dress appropriately – if you want to be taken seriously, look the part. Remember, you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Is the broker/manager a full-time manager, or does he or she compete with their agents for business because the company doesn't feel that their management responsibilities are important enough to the company's success to pay them a competitive salary?

• How many agents are in the office? A good manager can effectively manage twenty to thirty agents, after that their effectiveness begins to diminish and there should be compensated assistant managers.

• What are the specific experience ranges of the agents in the office?

• What exactly will the manger/broker do to help you get off to a successful start?

• What are the monthly fees for working with the company?

• What is the company's/office's market share in the local market? Has it been increasing or decreasing?

• What is the advertising/marketing philosophy? Does the company market its listings or it's agents, or both?

• Does the office have a mentoring program and exactly how does it work?

• What is the initial commission split and what are the increase levels?

• What has been the agent turnover in the office over the past year?

• How much internet marketing does the company do? How do they distribute the leads obtained from it?

• Does the company provide a web site for each agent and is there any cost to the agent?

We welcome you to the industry and wish you every success.

Published: November 8, 2004

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Mark McCloud is the owner of McCloud Seminars, a sales and management training/consulting company. He has over thirty-five years experience in real estate sales, marketing, management and providing educational services. He holds the professional designations of ABR, BA, CREI, CRRS, GRI, MMDP and was awarded the Outstanding Professionalism Award. He is a published author and public speaker, recognized for his insight and common-sense approach. He is available for training, consulting, and public speaking engagements. He can be reached at: 360/281-2086, .