Why, Yes! And Thank You For Asking!

(Originally August 30 2005)
As mentioned earlier, we thirsty Real Estate students have been wooed by a multiplicity of brokers. Before the weekend was over, I had planned two interviews for today, regardless of the one broker who wants to hire me. I went on them, and yes, thank you much, they both offered me an agent's position.

Now mind you, they both said that when they interviewed other prospectives, they sometimes do not pick the applicant. Well, of course. But, said they, I was a good candidate for these positions and they thought I could be a success in "this business".

I am of two minds.

Mind # 1) They are snatching up any and everyone who walks through their doors because if they can train us correctly, we represent good income. That is, whatever we make (get to take home) THEY make. You see, it's a 50/50 split in most of the smaller firm's cases. So they blow up our heads by making us feel especially picked, and bring us in, and then just hope for the best out of us.

Mind #2) I LIKE feeling special. I went out today and bought an unexpectedly cheap pair of pants, two shirts and a tie (polyester blends that would combust if I stood too near an open flame), and got my hair cut and beard trimmed(!), to go on these interviews. I believed that I was doing the best I could with the little bit of money I have, and followed the rules for business as a responsible and intelligent young candidate. And I want to believe that I impressed both the perspective brokers among whom I was shopping. And that I was rewarded because I made the effort, and because I actually am a valuable asset to "this business"

Right now, I'm going with Mind #2. Why? Because I need to feel wanted in the business world. Curse Albany, and the managed-care company in NJ who put me off, threw me on top on the slushpile, and told me how dime-a-dozen I was, so much so that they would let me get evicted and starve to death before they would give me what I need. (Putting Petulant Child Alan back in his box now).

But today, I sat and looked into the eyes of money-making people and reported my heartfelt assets to them and "this business", and then they looked back into my eyes and told me that they believed that I had worth. So when I had the option of choosing between The Little Engine That Could or the Technologic Dynamo, how do you think that made me feel? Both of them are smaller companies, but one is run by three energetic and friendly guys who will train me for two weeks, and the other is run by my-aged tycoons who will train me for three days and throw me out there to make money as soon as possible.

Guess which one I picked.