Interview Periodically....The Grass May Be Greener...Unless You Interview You'll Never Know!!!

I have been in the business four years and am now working for my fourth company. I don't like changes at all, and stayed in my previous job for 20 years. But each of my real estate moves came about because the company I worked for was making changes that didn't fit my long term goals. I hope to be with this company a long time!

I am one of the rare brokers that works from home since we are still surrounded by so many traditional firms that require you to go into the office.  I just hated that scenario and listening to the water cooler gosip or people trying to find some gossip on me.  I plan on being with this new company for a long time.

I primarily work from home, but spend at least one shift a week in the office where I can see and talk with my fellow agents. The camaraderie of an office has to be balanced against the chatting, rumors, and gossip that fill almost every workplace with more than one person in it. As far as interviews go, I think you bring up some good points about the positives of learning about other offices, but I'll try to get that here on AR. I don't want the gossip in the local real estate community that I interviewed at competitor A and competitor B. 

I interviewed all the managing brokers in town over 4 years ago to see where I wanted to be.  The company I chose was good so I stayed until a year ago when I moved to my current broker.  At this point, I'm happy where I am.  I think it's important to be stable but there is value in interviewing.  If nothing else, having people want me keeps my management team on their toes.

Staying sharp is never a bad idea.  I think that occassionally going for the intervies keeps you on top of your game and gives you insight to how others are runnign their offices.

Not sure if it counts as an interview, but I will often visit other agents at their office. Invariable, the talk turns to, "you should really consider coming here". But you did hit the nail on the head (as always)...Agents can learn a great deal simply by interacting with others in the office.

Barbara, this is so true. Interviewing can, and should, do a few things for you. First, when a company is hot after me it makes me feel good, like I am doing the right thing and being noticed for it. Second, it does show me what might be done better, or more positive. And third, it can give you a leg up within your own company for many reasons.

I am loyal, and do believe that loyalty is a two way street. If I were to come to the conclusion that I am on a one way road I certainly would be driving to the next stop.

I will caution some, the grass may seem greener on the other side, and indeed it may be, but you need to check it out first, really check it out. Not only would I have to agree with the core values, but they would have to be a good fit with my personality. I don't like being micro managed, I don't like being led down the primrose path only to find out the primrose are plastic, and I certaily don't like not being supported or regonized for what I do.

Just my very humble opinion!

I spend roughly 2 days at the office, off and on, over the course of the week.  I do like to work from home at least 1 day a week to catch up on all my paperwork.  I'm happy where I am so no reason to interview elsewhere (like your office, we are #1 in town).

I do agree with your pretense but I don't find the office atmosphere is conducive to meeting new clients.  I use the office as a base of operations however I find I can't find new clients waiting for the phone to ring.

Barbara - I have a home office and even when I had an office at the office I still felt more comfortable working from home.  This fits the way I enjoy working.  I only go to the office to drop off contracts and check my mail.