First, you need to decide whether to work for a national franchise or for an independent firm in your local area. Working for a large franchise has a number of benefits, including the availability of marketing materials, incredible brand recognition, reward and incentive programs, and ongoing training programs. While other factors contribute greatly to a new agent's success, a solid training program is really the most important thing you should be looking for when choosing a realty firm to join.

Nothing helps a new real estate agent like a solid training program and the support of one's own team. When management takes the time to prepare a new agent for the field, the agent goes out into the world feeling confident in their abilities. This self-assurance is felt by clients, who naturally want to work with someone who knows what they're doing. If clients hire an agent who appears shaky in their knowledge, they lose all trust for the realtor and may end their relationship with the company. This is bad for the agent, the clients, and the brokerage firm, whose reputation in the community is paramount to the success of their business.

Look for companies that offer classes throughout the various stages of your career. You want to work for someone who encourages ongoing education and self improvement. This not only helps you expand your skill set over the years, but it also helps your firm to have one of the most knowledgeable teams in the area.

In addition to courses, look for a company that offers a mentoring program. Having a more experienced realtor take you under his wing can make those first few transactions much, much easier. You can ask him questions, share your fears and goals, and get valuable insight from him that can't be found in a book or a class.

The mentoring relationship also fosters a positive work environment, where former competitors now treat each other as colleagues. There's a greater sense of camaraderie, with team members helping each other out through the various challenges that this industry presents.

If you find yourself working in an office where such camaraderie isn't encouraged and everyone's strictly focused on their own success, you may find it to be a very frustrating atmosphere to work in when you're just starting out. New agents need to learn from others' experiences, and to feel free to ask questions from their broker or fellow realtors. If the atmosphere in your office discourages this kind of interaction, it may be time to search for a new firm.

All agents want to be in a work environment that is supportive, respectful, and values each individual's strengths. When you're new to an industry, it's imperative to be in a place that fosters your growth, and makes it easy for you to access information and resources. While having a world-famous brand behind your name can get you a few customers, having a team of experienced professionals guiding you along the way can help you acquire satisfied lifelong clients and referrals.