Not Worth It - Brokerage Investment Professional Vanguard Employee Review

1.0
18 Nov 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Vanguard truly does put the client first. My coworkers were fantastic (I still keep in touch with most of them). Good amount of PTO, benefits are slightly above average. Campus is beautiful. My first 1.5 months I got full pay while being tutored on the Series 7 & 63. There was a ton of support to help us pass (which most of us did).

Cons

I took this job as my first 'full-time' one after college, having no experience in finance at all. I almost felt tricked after I finally started the role I was hired for after 2 months of studying and training. You have no say in change or any independence. You have to push a button for lunch, to log client notes, to go to the bathroom, or to just talk to your neighbor. I 'set sail' in the heat of tax season - I don't think I talked to anyone on my team for more than a sentence for 3 months. It's hourly pay, not salary, and the pay is basically unlivable (even in PA suburbs). I made more money are a server in a restaurant. They boast their 401(k) match is above average and while it's good, other companies have caught up. Unless you're a parent, the job is not worth taking on benefits alone. No one calls a call center to say, "Hey, you guys are doing a great job. Everything is great." They do because they need or are upset about something. Neither of which Vanguard has any answers for or can assist with without an absurd amount of effort, time, and frustration (for both the client and the crew). Crew moral is so low that no department is getting their work done efficiently which negavily impacts all other departments, which, in the end, hurts the client. You have to stay in your role for at least a year before you have the option to change positions (even laterally, let alone a promotion). They claim you can try 'internships' where you can check out other departments but they can't afford to lose anyone off the phones so there's no way to even apply for those internships in the first place. I had a coworker, who for over 3 years, drank the Kool-aid and really supported the Vanguard message. After completed his CFP (which he paid for on his own since he did not want to to through the Vanguard hoops) and the 4th attempt to change his role, he finally left the company. At that point I thought, why stay if even the best of us are stuck?

Explore other reviews about Vanguard

5.0
20 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good balance and early career development

Cons

Minimal cons to be considered

3.0
3 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Awesome coworkers for young professionals. Paid licensing for a few months.

Cons

Micromanagement is out of control. Incompetent team leaders who are obsessed with power and metrics. Back to back calls, limited support, and nearly impossible effective communication between departments. Zero time to cultivate culture because you are taking calls every second of the day except for 30min/1hr lunch and two 15 minute breaks. You’re locked into your role for over a year (apprenticeship for around 60 days, then a year after promotion to associate) and your team leaders will not approve internal applications unless you are “eligible”.

4
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