They are looking for agents. They'll hire you no matter who "they" are. If you can fog a mirror, you're in. Better way to look at what you're going to embark upon would be . . . who can best help me further my career? Do you have any friends who are Realtors? Do they appreciate where they work? You need someone who is going to hold your hand as you begin because what you've learned in school now means nothing except an avenue to pass an exam. I sincerely wish you the very best of luck.

It's not you who has to "stick out," but the brokerage who needs to "stick out" for you. 

Bring with you an electro-cardiogram that shows you have a heart beat and KW will sign you up!

But what you SHOULD be looking for is the broker who will commit to implementing YOUR business plan.

Lastly, select the broker who presents the objective facts regarding the only two question for which you need an aswer. Less than a 10 score means keep looking.

You should be the one interviewing the brokerage. A good broker will help you succeed. A bad broker will let you flounder until you either luck out or fail miserably.

if you have a pulse and a license, you're hired....

you must interview them.... ask about training....mentoring.... you need 24/7 availability of a mentor.....

LOL

Applications?

Have a pulse and you're hired.  I've never handed an application to a broker in 21 years of selling...LOL that's precious you think you need to impress them. They better impress you or you walk.

If you can fog a mirror you got the job. What you want to do is interview them to find the place that will help you become successful. There are not many of those.

I have not read down but I imagine someone or more will have said this:

YOU'RE INTERVIEWING THEM. 99% of the brokerages will take you, no questions asked.

Whether YOU ACCEPT THEM is YOUR CALL.

The criteria should be:

How much and what kind of training do you offer?

How long do you retain agents?

Can you help me create a business plan (if you don't know how already)?

Those are big Qs . . . and ask if you can speak to 1 or 2 of the long time agents, find out what they like about the brokerage.

Happy agents mean the brokerage is doing something right.

And GREAT pic!

Finding a broker to hang your license is easy.  Finding the "right" broker for YOU is the trick.  There have many many blogs written on the subject on this platform.  The most important thing for you to consider is who will give you the best training and mentorship to get you started right.  Do you realize over 80% of new licensees drop out of the business within 2 years due to lack of production (income)?  If you want to be among the 20% you need to be affiliated with the right office.

Where the suit and tie you have one in your pic! That should stand out!!

Read Nina Hollander's comment. They want to talk to you. Prepare your questions. 

No need to stick out anything. Most brokerages will bring on anyone with a license and a pulse.  I wish you much success and happiness in your real estate career. 

If you can fog a mirror you will be hired John Henstra so don't sweat it.

You have it backward on applying to a broker. You are hiring your broker, so you are interviewing him/her, not the other way around. Your teacher has failed you if you are still in the W-2 mindset. 

John, Congratulations! As mentioned below, you're interviewing the firms. While most will take anyone, not all will. I'm with KW and we do not take just anyone. Our office invest a lot of time in our agents and they want top quality people who represent our firm well. Candace and others had some great advice for you.

1) Make sure they have proper training. Starting with a strong foundation will set you up for life regardless of whether you stay with that firm or go out on your own. Ask them to show you their training calendar and 60-90 plan for training new agents.

2) Ask if and how they help you with business planning. You are a business owner and will be responsible for your expenses, your taxes, etc. A smart business plan will ensure you make money and don't just spend it all on your business.

3) Understand the splits. If they're complicated, read the fine print including all the fees. 

4) Understand what the brokerage is going to do for you. Again, free copies or business cards may sound great but, those are cheap. Solid training and education will pay off tenfold. 

5) If it is important to you, know if you're only allowed to market the company you go with or if you're ever able to brand yourself.

6) Don't be fooled by phone/desk time or leads. This is something a lot of firms promise. There are some locations where phone time could be good - those are probably  like vacation areas with high foot traffic or downtown areas with high foot traffic. However, most buyers start looking online. As for leads, those take months and sometimes years to convert. They're good for long term success but, you need to know how to convert business now. 

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

If you can walk and chew gum at the same time you're hired! What's important is finding the right broker for you! Starting out new you need to find a brokerage that gives good support. You need to do some research on the brokerage, don't take their word for it!

Congratulations John, give me a call and I will introduce you to your local KW Team Leader.

Be coachable & motivated; have integrity and they'll be enthused about housing your license (but please realize they'll all be willing to take you on... find the fit that's best for YOU!). 

Some companies will hire everyone and anyone. Focus on who you would want to work for. What do they pay, what do they charge you for? What do they offer? apprentice, mentor, leads, support? 

Most companies will take anyone with a pulse.  Makes them look bigger and if you do any business they'll get a cut of it, usually a big one for being new and they get a desk fee (if they charge one).  There are some out here with over 300 agents... and I'll bet you that 90% of them barely do any business.

What you need to focus on is training and mentorship.  Find a company that will actually help you, not just make you sit through a bunch of powerpoints (KW) and put you with a random agent as a "mentor".  There is a reason you have to qualify to be a training officer in law enforcement and the military.  You need someone who can sit with you on the appointment and help you with your contracts and be there on the phone if you have questions, not someone who is looking to get part of your commission for helping you.

I agree with those who have said that it is brokers who are recruiting you and you need to set your criteria as to what YOU are looking for.

Treat it as your first date....go from there

John,

You have wonderful answers. A

Just be yourself AND REMEMBER...YOU are interviewing them too

You are in charge of where you decide to hang the license, no applications necessary. Align with a mentor and ensure that you get necessary training to become an industry leader rather than fall out after a year and have to submit applications elsewhere!

There's an application? I'm serious.

Do a little research on the company & their agents & drop some of that knowledge on them in the interview. As far as getting hired goes, if you are breathing...

This is a reversal of roles.  The brokers will be trying to stand out to you.  If  you can fog a mirror you will stand out.

Good luck, they look at you as a pay day whether you do good or not, I hate to say!

You need to come up with what each office has to offer that stick out to you. You are interviewing them far more than they are interviewing you.

I recommend checking out KW if there's an office in your area. I can't speak for all offices as each is individually owned and operated but most have all of the things Candice and others recommend that a new agent look for in an office.  No other company will provide you with as many tools and road maps for building your real estate business to whatever heights you wish.

They will take just about everyone. Here is your opportunity to shop around asking for training, leads, and commission split.

You have many great suggestions here.  Best of luck to you.

John - while I am sure you didn't intend for this question to be a joke, I am not surprised to see the answers you have been given.  It's too bad you're training so far has left you woefully unaware of the real estate broker-agent process and how it relates to the "real world".  Good luck as you begin your search to find the best possible match for you as you start your business.  

It seems to me that all brokers will want you, so I wouldn't be so worried about what they think of you as much as you should worry about what they can bring to your success in real estate.

YOU are the commodity, and if you produce, they win.   Do YOUR research, ask lots of questions, and you choose.

Look at this a different way. Most brokerages take any and all comers. Instead find what is right for you. Choose wisely.

Finding a brokerage is not like getting into an Ivy League College, it's not very competitive; they will be happy to have you. Just beware of those that treat new agents as a "profit center" - YOU write lots of checks; they know the turnover rate is about 50% in the first year.