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      Merrill

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      Financial Advisor Trainee Interview

      22 Feb 2010
      Anonymous employee
      Accepted offer
      Positive experience
      Difficult interview

      Application

      I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Merrill in Jun 2008

      Interview

      You have to go through several rounds. First there is a one-on-one interview with lower management, a group interview with several senior financial advisors, and a one-on-one interview with the managing director. You will also have to complete a multiple-choice test which ensures you have basic math and economics knowledge. You will need to know basic economics terminology and concepts such as GDP, CPI etc. It is a general test, and doesn't require specific market knowledge. The questions asked are typical, also dependent on the manager interviewing you. Remember that the FA job is foremost about charisma and personality. You are interviewing for a sales job -- prepare accordingly. Having a preliminary business plan (types of prospects you will pursue, market segments, etc.) prepared will be more useful than rattling off reams of stock market knowledge. It is assumed that you will learn this as you go. Remember: more sales people from non-financial industries get hired than financial industry quants. This also goes without saying: dress accordingly. This is a white-shoe firm. Women: Wear a dark pantsuit or skirtsuit with a pressed blouse. Demure hair and make up, not too much scent. And wear heels, preferably dark leather, definitely close-toed. Men: A suit, tie, shirt, all pressed. Cufflinks and subtle cologne. Dark, shinable leather shoes. Now is not the time to stand out and make a statement. You will also need to complete your Series 7, 66 (state), and state insurance licensing (to sell annuities) after you are hired. You basically get one shot at each test but LOTS of time to study and materials to study. Good luck.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      How will you grow your business?
      Answer question
      5

      Other Financial Advisor Trainee interview reviews for Merrill

      Financial Advisor Trainee Interview

      3 Apr 2023
      Anonymous employee
      San Mateo, CA
      Accepted offer
      Positive experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I interviewed at Merrill (San Mateo, CA)

      Interview

      Easy process, 3 round interview. Aptitude test based like logical reasoning questions. Easy interview with hiring manager. General questions, asked about career goals and aspirations. Overall it was a good interview.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      How will you use connections to build book of business?
      Answer question

      Financial Advisor Trainee Interview

      19 Aug 2022
      Anonymous employee
      Accepted offer
      Neutral experience
      Average interview

      Application

      I interviewed at Merrill

      Interview

      I was interviewed by one senior advisor and the market executive. They played good cop bad cop. One said I was under qualified and the other laid out the job description as if I had already been given an offer.

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Why do you think you would make a good advisor?
      Answer question

      Financial Advisor Trainee Interview

      8 Nov 2022
      Anonymous interview candidate
      Palmdale, CA
      No offer
      Negative experience
      Easy interview

      Application

      I applied online. I interviewed at Merrill (Palmdale, CA) in Aug 2022

      Interview

      Preliminary recruiter treated me like a number with “the opportunity” to interview for the role. Once I passed to the next step, the actual manager spoke of how he treated his own employees when a customer would personally attack the employees. He said there is always a reason the customer is dissatisfied. I disagreed and said I didn’t want to work under a company that threw its employees under the bus for the sake of appeasing a customer

      Interview questions [1]

      Question 1

      Can you relate a time when you went above and beyond to deliver maximum service to the client. What did you do and what was the outcome?
      Answer question

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