Advice for first year in CRE?
So I just got an associate position at a top tier firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. I know the first few years can be a struggle in CRE as someone new tries to learn the business, develop contacts, generate leads, etc. All this while being commission only can be hard. 

What would you say are the top things someone new to the business needs to do/learn to be successful? What should a typical day consist of? Any advice is appreciated


[{"id": "cv0ocpb", "text": "Just do whatever your broker tells you to do And keep your head down ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cv0ohkc", "text": "It will be very hard. You will have deals you worked hard on fall apart at the last minute. Have a thick skin and keep working hard, it will pay off eventually. Also find a good mentor in the office, that is key. Get as much interaction with them as possible. Mirror what they do and listed to their advice. Do whatever they need and make their job easier and they will reward you accordingly. Make copies, do tours, call people back, drive to get keys, whatever it takes.\n\nGood luck!", "replies": [{"id": "cv1wp2p", "text": "Yep, I'm 6 months in and that has worked for me. Don't brag, work hard, make sure people know you're hustling but keep your head down too. If another broker gives you a lead and it turns into a deal don't ever be greedy. Insist on splitting it. You'll get paid and experience and you've incentivized them to bring you more. \n\nOh and cold call. It's not hard and most folks have no problem talking shop, just don't be presumptuous and stay humble. ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cv18s7p", "text": "Go here:\nhttp://www.massimo-group.com/newtobusiness\n\n", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cv1944x", "text": "get use to a good routine now when you aren't busy.  \n\nFigure out what times you can work out, what groups you want to join, how you will network, when you will find time to read the business papers, how you will organize contacts and marketing etc.  \n\nShit is so much easier to do right in the beginning then trying to fix broken systems in a couple years.", "replies": [{"id": "cv1bosn", "text": "What would be a good routine for someone new starting out, just a basic day in the life? Any ideas? ", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "cv7q07e", "text": "Hoping I could ask a quick question. Im starting with a top tier CRE firm doing investment sales. I want to have the best opportunity for long term stability and income. Which asset class is the most preferable in the industry.. Eg, Multi family(in particular), industrial, retail?", "replies": [{"id": "cvdbhd7", "text": "The one you find the most interesting... see if you can partner with several around your offices. Get a feel for the MFAM buyers and owners. Ditto for Industrial and retail. Where you find \"I sort of like working with these properties (or owners or buyers)\" you will find the path that is best for you. In general retail is going through some turmoil with internet sales (which spells challenge, risk, but also opportunity) Some argue MFAM might  be heading to a bubble, and Industrial is very strong for macro reasons. Any can tank and any can take off. Choosing which you enjoy matters the most.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cv1k5tu", "text": "What are you specializing in? If you don't know, then that is the first thing you should do. Office? Retail? Industrial? Tenant Rep? LL Rep? Investment Sales?", "replies": [{"id": "cv1kdn3", "text": "Office tenant rep", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cv3otp3", "text": "Don't chase after small deals because you need a quick paycheck. They take the same amount of time if not more time than big deals because the client is typically less sophisticated. Swing for the fences even though older brokers may tell you not to. If you are in a top firm remember that you don't need to spend as much time informing your cold calls of who you are. Your company has already done the branding and intro for you allowing you to get more calls done. \n\nM&amp;M wants 250 calls per week, but they (typically) only do investment sales and don't have to spend time talking leases \"Are you planning on buying or selling? No? Ok, bye\". 250 calls a week doing tenant rep is just not feasible. \n\nCBRE is usually happy with 25-50 calls per week. \n\nAim for 100-150.\n\nMy calls are pretty slow I do about 10-15/hr. \nDoor knocking I do ~5-8 an hour (Typically 10 mins ea.)\n\nBest advice I can give is to plan your week out on Sunday so you know what your are doing the entire week. There are so many small things to do that will interrupt your work so it's important to know what you need to get done each day. \n\nGet a CRM as early as possible and build it each day. Try to work on it outside of 8am-5pm when you should be taking care of clients or making calls. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]