Appearance is everything - Investment Professional Vanguard Employee Review

2.0
16 Nov 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great first job for recent college graduates (until you realize what you're worth), 3+ weeks PTO, 4% 401k match + 10% company match vesting schedule, incredible insurance coverage and company pays for securities licenses (7/63).

Cons

The decision making process on a crew member's future lies solely in the hands of his direct manager. Yes, much more is involved with year-end evaluations and such; however, a TL's decision will label and follow you. Vague performance expectations and ever-changing metrics make this "customer service” position unattractive and ultimately a revolving door where worn out, un-stimulated crew are eventually put out to pasture and fresh, new talent takes their place. Once labeled, regardless of metrics, a crew member will find it nearly impossible to buck the trend and receive a promotion to a new department. Additionally, coveted roles, such as PAS, FFS, FAS will not consider you for a position or even an interview with a "track-record”; unless you're willing to rot in Retail Services for the next 3-5 years making below industry average and changing addresses. It’s truly sad to see how dejected Retail Services has become and how much the department has shrank within the last few months. Rather than address the issue and collaborate on ways to improve morale and retain employees, our CEO addressed our spike in engagement with a challenge to each employee to solve the problem and to take personal action for their work environment…this is the day my Vanguard soul died. Ultimately what is most disappointing is the amount of talent Vanguard allows to walk out the door rather than attempting to retain and relocate it, with the same stale mindset that new talent will always come knocking. It’s this type of mindset that does not appeal to millennials and will create a barren workforce for Vanguard in years to come, as we’re beginning to see already. It would be refreshing for once to see Vanguard’s mission statement overlap and extend to the treatment of their employees, but instead, Vanguard would rather gloat and present themselves to the public as the investment company that looks out for the little guy; because after all, appearance is everything. Undoubtedly the best thing that came out of my brief career at Vanguard was the ability to say that I worked at Vanguard; never mind telling people what I actually did there.

Explore other reviews about Vanguard

5.0
9 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Vanguard covered housing for the summer for almost completely free and the people you work with will actively try to develop you.

Cons

The work you do (and therefore your overall experience) can be highly team dependent and team assignment seems to be random

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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