This month, I’m featuring information for would-be or new agents. Why? Because although they get lots of information, much of it is slanted by the person offering the advice! (Think ‘interviewer’….). I was just asked to write an article on best advice to a new agent–as though that new agent were my relative. Here it is:
Because I have start-up plans and programs for new agents, I’m contacted constantly by new agents wanting advice. The most discouraging thing they tell me (more discouraging to me than them at the beginning) is that they have no one to train or coach them to success. From talking to these agents, I think they’re vastly underestimating what it takes to get started and be successful. They’ve been sold by a nice and well-meaning manager on the thought that joining them and buying a book or going to an easy-in training program will do the trick. And then, when it doesn’t, the agent is out of time and money—and it’s too late for a re-start.
What Did They Tell You about their Training?
My best advice to the would-be and new agent interviewing is to be very, very tough when talking about training expectations. Never accept the phrase that ‘we have training’. I have yet to talk to a manager who says they don’t have training. Yet, when the agents talk to me after being hired, they say there is no or little training….
What Are You Being Coached To?
Be sure the manager (or in-house coach)is going to train and coach you with a business start-up plan, so you know exactly what to do, how to do it, and how to measure it. Without that specific plan, you’re essentially foundering around trying this and that. And, most importantly, see the programs in writing, so you know they’re real. And, be discriminating when looking at those programs. Too many of them are cobbled together lovingly (but not professionally) by well-meaning people who aren’t trained as trainers or coaches.
What Results is the Program Getting?
Finally, find out the results of the program. Good programs measure results to assure you that the program works. You deserve this level of expertise to start a successful career.
Here are the questions: Describe your training program. Is it foundationed in a business start-up plan that you’re going to coach me to? Please let me see your start-up program—the training, the coaching, and the start-up lan. What are the results?
New agents and managers: What would be your best advice for the serious new agent?
Interviewing now? Take a look at the five most important questions you should ask your interviewer—and how to evaluate the answers, in What They Don’t Teach You in Pre-License School.
