The Importance of Second Impressions

by | Mar 4, 2026

In recruiting, the second impression is usually more important than the first impression—especially with new agent prospects.

The first impression happens when a candidate interacts with your brand and participates in your application process.

The second impression typically happens when the recruiter or hiring manager first connects with the candidate via phone or text message.

The best second impressions should be characterized by surprise and awe.

Here are some surprise/awe statements an impressed recruiting prospects might make:

Surprise:

Wow, I’m surprised you got back to me so quickly.

I have the characteristics of the most successful real estate agents? Tell me more…

I had no idea that many of today’s high-producing agents got into real estate during the last downturn? Why is that?

Awe:

I had no idea the top real estate agents made so much money—that’s remarkable!

You’ll personally coach me on how to make the transition to owning a real estate business?

Agents on your team close 5 times what the average agent closes in our market? How do you do this?

If your prospects are responding with these types of statements and questions, you’re building some much-needed momentum for the rest of the recruiting process.

If they’re not responding in this way, your value proposition may need some retooling.

 

The Simple Psychology of Real Estate Recruiting [2nd Edition]

Unlock the secrets of effective real estate recruiting. Revised to include actionable frameworks for sharper execution and to help you turn psychological theory into a repeatable recruiting system.

The Attrition Variables

The Attrition Variables

While these attrition constants still have the greatest influence, there are some emerging attrition variables worth noting. People also tend to leave companies when: They feel like they’re not doing as well as others in their peer group outside the company. They feel like they’re not as far along as they should be at a certain point in life.

The Attrition Constants

The Attrition Constants

If you’re not focusing most of your retention effort on these issues, you’ll miss the mark. If you’re not focusing most of your recruiting effort on exploiting these weaknesses among your competitors, you’re missing the best opportunities.

The Persistence Mindset

The Persistence Mindset

A leader equipped with this mindset can have a profound effect on the life and career of each individual they engage. It works because an agent is getting a real-time glimpse of what it would be like to work on your team. But it only becomes believable when it is persistently applied over time.