What advice do you have for someone looking to start a career as a Realtor?

A:

Real estate is the most creative, lucrative, and fulfilling job ever. It is one where you can be your own boss, make your own schedule and make as much money as you put your mind to. Getting through the state exam is the hardest part for some. Once that part is over, the sky is the limit.

My first piece of advice is to find an exciting real estate office that offers “on the job training.” Real estate is a service industry, so you’ll need to learn how to serve your new buyers and sellers.

You’ll also need to learn how to attract them and promote yourself. Open houses, neighborhood canvassing, social media, and networking events are a few secrets to finding people to work with.

Secondly, talking to experienced agents one-on-one is a valuable learning tool. Find out how they started out and what keeps them up and running. Their motivation and passion can be inspiring.

During training, organize a daily schedule of things to do. There is so much to do, learn, and plan. Who are you going to contact today? What are you going to learn? Where are you going?

Finally, part of your training will be about writing a business plan: your goals, tactics, and todo’s. The goal is to make $100,000 next year, the tactics to do that are to meet 20 home owners per week, and how to do that is to hold open houses every weekend for a month and deliver invites throughout the neighborhood.

A:

My advice is to be prepared to work at all hours of the day and night. Be prepared to do everything it takes to be of service to your clients.

Avoid looking at short-term goals and focus on building a career filled with relationships that last for years.

When confronted with difficult decisions, think “How would I feel on the other side of this decision?”

A new agent would be wise to find a great mentor. There are so many aspects to this profession that you can only learn by doing.

Don’t expect to make any money until you build your business. Your first deal may be far off, so consider joining a successful team to benefit from the overflow of clients they can generate and will need help to service. Build relationships.

Be generous of spirit and time. Don’t chase the deal, but rather, do the best for your clients.

Be diligent, work smart, and admit when you don’t know the answer or make a mistake, then do everything you can to remedy it.

Your reputation is everything.

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Send an email to Jordan Guinn at Realestate@sfchronicle.com