Pros
*Free to set schedule (most of time, if traditional, or non-RBG group) *Easy to join even with no finance background; may help you get experience other firms need before they'll consider you. *Online training and frequent branch training (though sometimes too frequent). *Cumulative quotas means, if you are lucky, one big case can set you ahead for years. (Though falling behind can also make the next "validation" period much harder.).
Cons
*High turnover rate - majority stay less than a year; better (or luckier) offices keep maybe 25% of new hires past 4 years, though a lot retain less than 5%. *Rigid quotas (Contrary to popular opinion, they CAN make AN exception once if you miss the deadline however it's VERY rare. Even if you do, you must make up the missing production on top of your next quota or else.) *Sure, can set own schedule, but new "advisors" should expect to spend 80% or more of their time as a telemarketer/mailbox stuffer if you want to stay expect 80+ hrs/wk unless you have a lot of rich friends/family or if you pay for an assistant. *Cannot retain clients upon leaving. Your accounts will eventually be given out in orphan call lists for other new hires to telemarket. (Note: Plenty of firms do not put a non-compete in their contract.) *Even if you close more life sales than your peers, a string of bad luck could cause every one of your cases to be rejected by underwriting.