(Day 1) Having created a very dense curriculum vitae from my previous employer and graduate school, I was easily able to submit my application for initial review.
(Day 3) Two days later I was contacted via email and invited to submit the initial application which includes very specific and highly detailed summaries of current/past employers, salaries, residences, and education history.
(Day 4) I was promptly contacted over the phone by my Talent Acquisition Specialist who helped me verify and edit any information on the application that was entered incorrectly. This is a very important aspect of the application process as all new Registered Representatives wishing to sit for the Series 7 Licensing Exam must have athorough FBI background check.
(~ Day 7) I was contacted again to conduct my first phone interview.
(~Day 10) I had my first phone interview which asks many questions about how you handle professional situations and asks questions about your specific goals and desires for autonomy
(~Day 14) I had my first face-to-face interview with a veteran FA from Edward Jones. The content of the interview was very similar to the phone interview, and I made sure to have very specific and broad-based questions ready for the FA at the end of the interview. I feel that this interview was two-part: 1) To make sure your professional appearance, posture, and demeanorwas suitable to being a FInancial Advisor (i.e. Dark Suit, White or Blue shirt, Striped Red, Blue or Yellow tie, no facial hair, Confident body language, etc.), and 2) To make sure your story matches up and that you are ready to build a business
(~Day 16) I was asked to complete a Business Plan which gives you an opportunity to construct a daily and monthly plan for your performance and how you intend to build your "book of business". I contacted a local Edward Jones FA to help me supplement what I was unable to find online from the Edward Jones website
(~Day 20) I submitted my Business Plan and was almost immediately contacted to correct several errors in regards to my projected revenues, accounts, etc. to bring them to standard. And I was also asked to set up a time to talk with the REgional Recruiter to discuss my plan and make sure I understood what is meant by "Door-knocking" and that this will consititute nearly 100% of my days until year 2-3.
(~Day 24) I spoke very candidly with the Regional Recruiter, voicing my enthusiasm, concerns, and making sure to acknowledge any reccomendations he had. I was then invited to take part in the "Day-in-the-Life" Assessment.
(~Day 28) I successfully passed the Day-in-the-Lief Assessment which is a grueling 4 hour process that ultimately tests your ability to prioritize under extreme pressure. Nothing more can be said there.
(~Day 30) I was extended an offer to be brought on as an FA trainee to study and sit for the Series 7 and Series 66 LicensingExams.
I felt extremely supported throughout the hiring process and the best advise I can give is to be humble, as this job will humble you. Ask for help and advise from your TalentAcquisition Specialist and get to know them on a personla basis, as it is all part of the hiring process.
I feel extremely blessed to have been given the opportunity to engage in a career with an excellent work/life balance that rewards you for your time and effort and helps clients prepare for what is quite possibly the most anxiety-inducing stage of their life - retirement
