Career Change need advice

[E_Wrecked]

I have been writing mortgages for the past 5 years. Someone in this forum made the transition into the mortgage biz and I provided a ton of inisight. I hope through CM I can get the same insight.

For some reason ever since I was 20 I wanted to be a Financial Advisor. It intrigued me, everything about the position. Im now in the 5th call/interview with this firm and its getting nerve racking--which I assume is what they want. They are notorious for not calling back applicants, getting the 1st call was huge and I've "killed" every interview since.

My major in College is/was Finance but Im still finishing school even though I'm 25.

I know what the position entails, I have read the terms front and back. I don't want to drop the name of the firm, but let's just say they like to door knock. Any Vet's around here will know which firm it is.

I have no worries about knocking door to door, in fact I look forward to it. Through reasearch I have found that most people dread that part the most, whereas Im overly enthusiastic about it.

Like I said this will be the 4th phone interview and I have faced to faced twice. Both formal and rather informal

Nothing scares me about the job itself, I know I can earn business.

I want to hear some experiences on taking the Series 7 and/or 63/66

I know I can pass it, because I've been told over and over if you study you will pass I have no worries about that.

Im just getting nervous because I have been interviewing for 2 months. I have heard MANY stories from people who never even got a call back from this firm. I have been through several calls, I know they want me. they also know I not only want them, but need them too. (not need in the sense of desparation)

For you seasoned guys you probably know what firm Im interviewing with because of the method I will drum business. Can I have some opinions if anyone has them please without mentioning the firm?

Any remarks, statements or criticism is welcome


They are very selective with the hiring process. I mean very

I have been told some people fizzle out quick. they are making me hold out for as long as possible, it's obvious. I have all day to wait at this point, the ball is in my court.

I have a call early next week and its another phone call from the recruiting department. At this point we have already discussed salary, work territory, background, employment. Any and everything so I dont know what else this could be about except will you accept employment? We have exhausted all talk that doesnt involve me being an employee.

They would never go this far with me if they didnt truly want me is my opinion but I could be wrong


I know I dont have many points and I tend to ramble which is actually good for sales lol

I just want to know what I can expect for a new broker? I mean I know good stock and mutual funds I have a t rowe price (equity income) fund I got at $24.16 its up in the $31 range for a weak investment. I also hold some TXN shares I got around $23 which are pushing $37 a share. Me and my brother picked Under Armour as an IPO knowing it would blow up but we haven't the capital nor the connections to get those IPO's. Mastercard was the other one, but I would imagine even the best have a tough time grabbing that as an IPO.


Do these firms check your financial history? Do they see if you own stock, etc...?

I know they pull credit reports and what not


And what about background? Will I have to send fingerprints to the SEC?

I have a misdeameanor from when I was just 18 years old. I never commited any felonies and thats all they asked about. Should I be concerned about the misdeameanor?

I know the jist is they dont want to see ANTYHING involving money issues. Laundering, fraud, embezzlement etc...


Ok Im just rambling about too much somebody who is a stock broker or FA or IR or whatever please lend a brother a hand.

Thank you

[Romanowski]

If youre hired at Vanguard for a shitty wage they train you for all certs

after a year you can leave at a higher wage as you are respected coming out of Vanguard.

Vanguard has 3 locations 2 of which are hometowns Scottsdale, AZ and Charlotte, NC

I believe the 3rd is just outside Philly, not positive

[Romanowski]

Corporate headquarters Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Founded May 1, 1975
First fund Wellington Fund (inception date: July 1, 1929)

Offices

• Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
• Scottsdale, Arizona
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Melbourne, Australia
• Brussels, Belgium
• Singapore
• Tokyo, Japan

https://personal.vanguard.com/VGApp/hnw/content/Home/WhyVanguard/AboutVanguardWhoWeAreContent.jsp

[E_Wrecked]

its not vanguard dude but thanks for the input

[Romanowski]

my bad ewrekd didnt read all that. thought you were considering the move not already in intereview process

best of luck guy

[Fabulous Flash]

I worked for that company you are talking about for two years...it is tough...it doesn't matter what you know about stocks or the financial markets when you are new to the business, it is all about SALES and getting people to buy something from you. I think if you want to make it a long term career, start out with them....stay away from the kool-aid (but listen and do what they say, make the contacts) and then in a couple of years move to somewhere else. They are great (the best) at training you to sell and will work with you and give you more of a chance than any other firm.

My best advice to anyone going into this field, is have some money saved up and all your financial affairs in order, becuse at the start, the pay sucks and the hours are long and you don't want to worry about not making the house payment because you have a bad selling month.