Q: You used to work for a bank during college, how does being with Edward Jones compare?
A: I think it’s a lot different than working at a bank or at any other financial services firm for that matter. Here, you have an opportunity to live in the area where you’re going to set up your business and really become an involved member of your community. But the real difference is in what you can achieve. There’s just no contest. If I had stayed with the bank after I graduated, I know I couldn’t have accomplished all that I accomplished at Edward Jones. I started at Edward Jones when I was 23 and I’ve seen my business grow dramatically every year since. And in that first year, I qualified for an incentive trip. It was really great to be just 23 years old and able to take my parents to a Four Seasons resort in the West Indies. Q: What background does someone need to be successful at Edward Jones?
A: As long as you’re someone who is willing to work hard and who really enjoys dealing with people, you’ll be successful. It doesn’t matter what degree or actual work experience you have. The firm provides all the training you need. In fact, the training is non-stop. There’s regular, regional training programs. There’s tuition reimbursement which I take advantage of today. Edward Jones offers a lot of training because they want everyone to be successful. And for those people who just don’t feel ready to jump right in, the firm offers an apprentice program called IRAP (Financial Advisor Apprentice Program) where you can work as an apprentice and get hands-on, real life experience prior to becoming an Financial Advisor. Q: What did you think about Edward Jones’ face-to-face, first contact policy?
A: In the first few months of my training, I overcame any objection or fear of face-to-face contact and learned that it is a great way to successfully build a business. In fact, in my first 6 months, I was able to close a 2 million dollar account. For me this was pure evidence that face-to-face contact works. Q: What are your relationships with your clients like?
A: My clients are like family. I really value the relationships that I have with them. I’ve been invited to weddings. I go to barbeques with them. We go golfing. I’ve built great relationships with them on both a professional and social level. Q: What kind of support do you receive at Edward Jones?
A: There is a tremendous amount of support and contact with other employees at Edward Jones. I am in contact with other Financial Advisors on a daily or weekly basis. I also have a senior Financial Advisor mentor who I keep in regular contact with and who provides me with advice or assistance on client or product questions or just general information I may be looking for. It’s a very tight knit culture and a very close community. At the head office, there are hundreds of people who are always willing to help out if you have any questions. Everybody’s just very giving. They are all very concerned about the success of everyone else.
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