Vancouver, BC CRE brokerages to work for. How to stand out to brokers and side step any of the main pitfalls.
Just wondering if anyone on here would have any input or tips about which brokerages would be best to work for in GVRD area.  I don't know anyone in CRE, and all the people I do know in RE are in the resi side and don't really have any solid advice or direct connections to break into the industry.  If the only answer is to pound the pavement, talk to people and apply for online positions, then that's what I'll do.  But if anyone has any tips or words of wisdom it'd be greatly appreciated.

A bit about me:

\-Recently completed Real Estate Course and passed exam,

\-Lots of general construction knowledge, specializing in electrical (Certified Electrician for 10 years).

\-Personally been investing in residential RE for about 8 years.

\-Have been taking general business courses (Accounting, Microsoft Office, Economics, etc.) at night.

&amp;#x200B;

Thanks in advance everybody.
[{"id": "hz9qe0w", "text": "I'm a Vancouver broker. lots of good choices here so I'll tell you where to avoid: NAI, Lee &amp; Associates, HQ Commercial, Macdonald Commercial. I can try and answer some other questions for you if you'd like without doxxing myself haha", "replies": [{"id": "hz9quxd", "text": "Why avoid lee and associates?", "replies": [{"id": "hz9rg7l", "text": "there's a couple of decent guys there but there's a lot of brokers barely hanging on before retirement. apart from the retirees I've had very bad experiences with some of their brokers.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "hzannkx", "text": "How come avoid Macdonald?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "hzcg7wt", "text": "Thanks for the reply man.\nI\u2019m just wondering if you know anyone personally or heard anecdotally of someone that\u2019s close to my situation and their story of getting into the industry. I\u2019d rather save time and not do a bunch of trial and error by avoiding mistakes others have made. Once I get my foot in the door I\u2019ll be good, this part has just got me spinning my wheels a bit.\n\nOr if you know any places currently looking or planning on expanding that would be mint. Thanks in advance.", "replies": [{"id": "hzcqlc9", "text": "definitely I've known people in your position, though not from your industry. your best move is definitely just to talk to people, but maybe beforehand decide what interests you? if you were an electrician maybe industrial? or given your construction experience you could development / land? Avison always seems to be bringing on new people. on the other hand I know colliers is in the process of letting some people go. I'm personally at a smaller brokerage as I prefer the culture here. it can get pretty toxic and dog eat dog at the bigger brokerages, but you will maybe have more exposure to bigger deals (whether you get paid or not is a different story). Anecdotally I went to a smaller brokerage because I prefer to make my own way, if that sounds like you I'd consider a smaller brokerage. At one of the big dogs you'll likely get shoehorned into a team, which is fine but I know a lot of young brokers who sourced a big deal and walked away with maybe 5% of the commission because their team leader takes the lion's share. \n\ndo you plan on doing business mainly in Vancouver proper, or would you be doing Fraser Valley / Tri cities etc?", "replies": [{"id": "hzcug4w", "text": "I was thinking of specializing in industrial and/or development not only because I think it would interest me more but also because I know I\u2019d have a leg up on a lot of people who haven\u2019t have the life/work experience I\u2019ve had up to this point. Even just knowing how to talk to blue collar people and relating to them I believe is valuable (correct me if I\u2019m wrong though\u2026).\n\nI\u2019ve thought about big vs small brokerages and I\u2019ll consider what you said and where I truly think I\u2019ll  be a better fit and focus on chasing one or the other instead of both.\n\nI\u2019m open to working the whole GVRD area, or the whole lower mainland really (might regret that later. Commuting can be a bitch lol). I like getting out there and getting my feet on the ground to learn different areas. Are there any strategies on sticking to Vancouver proper over the suburbs and vice versa?", "replies": [{"id": "hzdcs7o", "text": "development or industrial are both good places to be, that's the bulk of my business. not so much strategy as reality, you'll very likely have a tough time building a good book of business in strictly Vancouver. It's pretty picked over by other brokers, I've had way more success chasing secondary areas as not all owners have already been called by a broker this week haha. commute can suck for sure but you'll get used to it, driving out to surrey from my Vancouver office doesn't phase me in the slightest anymore.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hzab824", "text": "Avison Young, Colliers, CBRE, Cushman\u2026all big and with lots of big cats to start under and build your portfolio and network. Lots of brokers about to retire.", "replies": [{"id": "hzcgr6x", "text": "I\u2019ve been hearing this a lot, about a big wave of old timers about to retire. That\u2019s some good knowledge to gain and they won\u2019t see you as competition since they\u2019re about to leave, PLUS there\u2019s all their old clients that will need a new broker. Sounds like a good time to be in the business", "replies": [{"id": "hzf5rwh", "text": "It\u2019s a good time, but seeing blockchain technology I don\u2019t know what is the runway left on this profession. Might go the way of the dodo. The resi realtors will be the first ones to feel it.", "replies": [{"id": "hzfb78p", "text": "Yeah I\u2019ve heard this is a possibility. I\u2019m thinking and hoping when it comes to big transactions and deals though there\u2019ll still be a need for that human element and trust. Smaller stuff like condos (especially pre-sales/new) I can see being a victim to this because they\u2019re basically becoming securities.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]