"Courtesy of Austin American-Statesman" - (Carlson, At JBGoodwin Realtors, employees say training and mentorship are unmatched 2022)
At JBGoodwin Realtors, employees say training and mentorship are unmatched
Kara Carlson, Austin American-Statesman
Andrew Medina had never worked in real estate until he became a real estate agent about 18 months ago.
He previously worked in retail, but he said he'd always had a desire to be an entrepreneur, and real estate caught his eye.
But with a fast-paced industry like real estate in a booming city like Austin, that meant he had a lot to learn. Medina said with a lot of real estate brokerages, agents might get minimal training and then be “thrown to the wolves."
But when he joined JBGoodwin Realtors, Medina said, it became quickly apparent that there were abundant training opportunities — and the learning wouldn't be stopping any time soon.
“There really is a lot that you don't know that you don't get during the classes to get your real estate license. So having that support, that mentorship and that training, really, really gives you more confidence and more peace of mind that you're not alone in this,” Medina said.
Medina said beyond formal classes, other employees are always eager to help.
“Anyone and everyone that I come across in the office or that's a part of JBGoodwin always say the same thing, ‘If you need anything, give me a call, with anything.’ When I jumped in, there was so much learning, The amount of free training that they have is just unreal.”
JBGoodwin ranks No. 1 among mid-sized employers in the American-Statesman's 2022 Top Workplaces of Greater Austin project. This year is the 12th in a row the company has made the list.
The real estate company has six locations in the Austin area, with 384 employees, including agents and support staff.
Employees at the firm say mentorship and training are a top priority for JBGoodwin, both for new and seasoned employees.
Indu Govind, a Realtor at JB Goodwin, said from the moment she walked in for her first interview with the firm, she was greeted with an upbeat and hardworking environment.
“It just gave me a very positive feeling about the whole thing that people are friendly, people are feeling, people are capable and smiling and then they are loving what they're doing,” Govind said.
Govind said there is an open-door policy in the office where people are always open to talking things through or scheduling time to meet, and out of the office at gatherings with co-workers such as happy hours and even picnics.
“We have so many happy hours and get-togethers available. When you are starting out and completely clueless, you look up to the other agents who are doing so well already and who have been here in this whole arena for a while,” she said. “You go to them and you talk to them in a very informal scenario and you let them know what exactly you are doing and where exactly you are at right now and then they guide you.”
At JB Goodwin Govind said, creating a supportive environment starts at the top.
"The leaders of my company basically say we are the foundation for you, so fall back on us," she said.
Govind, who has been with the company for about five years, said because everyone is at a different level in their career at the company, they help each individual understand, focus, and grow.
“It’s such a conducive environment and the way they foster you your capabilities, your positive assets, your assets and personality, personality,” Govind said. “They basically help you focus on that.”
Vilija Levy, a Realtor who has been with JBGoodwin for about three years, said the supportive environment and training keep her sticking around.
Levy started her career in real estate at JBGoodwin and received the foundational training there. he said the firm gives new agents a strong base.
“I think especially for new agents, that foundation is so crucial to learn it the right way,” Levy said. “Like when you learn how to drive a car, if you didn't learn the right way, it's so hard to correct bad habits later on in the future.”
Even three years in, she still takes classes from time to time, and she said the company’s training program is among the strongest in real estate.
“If I open up a calendar I find four or five classes every week,” Levy said. “There are so many options to choose from, if you want to get stronger in any field or just take a refresher.”
Outside of training, Levy said she trusts her co-workers and mentors to be available anytime including evenings and weekends to help her, and she also trusts them to help her through complicated situations that may pop up in her work.
“I think for me the biggest fear is that old corporate environment where you're being left on your own alone, but here it's truly a family. I feel very comfortable reaching out and I know they will be there to help me anytime," Levy said. “For anyone who wants to succeed, it's a great environment to do it."
Carlson, K. (2022, November 4). At JBGoodwin Realtors, employees say training and mentorship are unmatched. San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.statesman.com/story/business/2022/11/04/jbgoodwin-realtors-top-workplaces-greater-austin-2022/69535890007/.
To learn about career opportunities as an agent with JBGoodwin REALTORS®, please contact us today at 512.641.5005, or careers@jbgoodwin.com.
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