This blog post is the fourth in a series we are sharing on the “YPN Success Tips,” best practices shared by our Illinois Young Professionals Network (YPN) to help jump-start the year.

Tip #4: Find a mentor

As you begin your real estate career, finding a mentor is important for success.  

“Experience matters in this business and unfortunately it is a learn-on-the-job industry,” says Illinois YPN Vice Chair Eddie Ruettiger with Baird & Warner Plainfield. “The greatest thing I have found is the leaders in the industry are often willing and wanting to help you succeed and raise the bar for all. Find a trusted advisor.”

How did Eddie find his mentor? 

“Through a lot of trial and error to be honest.” says Eddie. 

• Look within your office 
• Get involved in your state and local association 
• Attend YPN events to network 
• Connect with top-producing brokers 
• Network outside of real estate—you can learn from different perspectives, business practices and techniques 

With 17 years in the business, Eddie has now moved into leadership roles at his local association. Being actively involved at the local and state level has led him to have mentors across the state. 

Says Eddie: “The biggest factor that has led to my success is going back to those mentors. By getting involved with the association and keeping myself educated, I had the opportunity to meet more mentors that way and grow as an agent. Being involved with the association is a huge asset to me.”

What can a mentor do for you? 

• Guidance. A mentor can give direction when the business can pull you in a hundred different directions. 
• Confidence. A trusted advisor has your best interests in mind, offers support and encouragement.  
• Resource. You might not know all the answers from the beginning, so a mentor can help you with the answers or know where to find them.  
• Accountability. A mentor can keep you on track with your short-term and long-term goals.

Bottom line, experience is key 

“It’s an industry of experience, you don’t necessarily need to reinvent the wheel,” says Eddie. “Don’t get me wrong it always helps to come up with newer ideas, maybe new rims for the wheel. But it’s an industry where you can really look towards those who have gone down the path before you.”