Independent Broker 

How did you get your current job?
Another good question. I was looking for a job on the internet and asked the gentleman next to me what he did for a living. He told me and I said, “Oooh, that’s the company with the duck!!”

What was the application process?
The gentleman gave me the number to the office where he worked. I contacted them and they explained the licensing process.

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, I think I had either three or four interviews and a number of career orientation classes and then a more traditional sales school explaining the job in more detail and offering scripts of what other successful agents have used in the past to communicate with their clients.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
Oh my, so many questions. What kind of a background do you have? How much money do you need to make? They also had us fill out a survey of various other similar questions.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
I feel very prepared. Yes.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Lots of training! My industry offers ongoing training and requires additional continuing education.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
Not entirely. Most of what I use on a daily basis stems from the ability to communicate with others and to understand what is going on in their lives. A basic understanding of math and english are helpful. A second language will also give you a competitive edge.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
no internship

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
AW… the ability to put someone else’s needs ahead of your own is key. Other important steps include becoming licensed. Some companies require a background slash credit check and/or fingerprints.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
social skills, the ability to work independently, patience with yourself and others

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
I think some of the most valuable training I have received has come from my field time. The classroom training shows us how things are generally supposed to work in a perfect world, which does not always hold true in reality.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
patience. People have told me that after the first couple of years things do get easier here because you can network with other professionals to generate leads and receive referrals. The industry ultimately offers freedom to build a practice of your own and to improve quality of life for your clients.