Q: Why did you join Edward Jones?
A: The reason I'm at Edward Jones is quite simply because I like helping people. I like making a difference in people’s lives and that’s what we do every day at Jones. In researching the firm and talking with people, I could tell that the client truly does come first. And I don't think that’s the case industry-wide. At Edward Jones, we really care about our clients and that’s important to me. Q: Have you been successful with Edward Jones’ face-to-face policy?
A: I think you could say that I maximized that policy. When I started at Edward Jones, I held seminars which meant I was interacting with a lot of people all at once. That's how I started my client base. Now I get a lot of referrals from existing clients who started out with me because of those seminars. Over time, I've built relationships and my clients are pleased with the service they get, so they now send their friends, family and acquaintances to me. Q: What type of support does the firm provide when you are first starting out?
A: The firm provides a lot of product and sales training to give you the skills and confidence you need to be successful. You also have a support network of mentors who can answer whatever questions you might have. Everyone at the head office is very helpful as well. One of the great things about this firm is that the support doesn't end once your business is up and running, either. It continues throughout your career, no matter what stage you're at. Q: How would you describe the culture at Edward Jones?
A: Everyone at Edward Jones is really nice. It’s like a family. In fact, my entire family has made great friends with people in the firm. My kids love the summer regional meetings because they get to see friends they've made from other areas. It’s almost like a reunion after you've been around for awhile. Q: What personality traits are important to be successful at Edward Jones?
A: You have to be extremely disciplined to be successful at this business. We're looking for people who are enthusiastic and aren't afraid to work hard. People who are comfortable taking risks and making decisions. What you don't need is previous financial experience. The training program will teach you everything you need to know. Q: How does the compensation structure at Edward Jones compare to others in the industry?
A: To anybody who's thinking of getting into this industry, they should definitely look at Edward Jones before any other bank or brokerage firm. The payout structure is unique. At some firms you have to pay for an assistant out of your own paycheque. Here, the company pays for an office administrator—your own personal administrator. They work just for you, meaning you don't have to share them with anybody else. That is a really nice and very unique perk. As for commissions, naturally you have your monthly cheques, but on top of that, once you're profitable, you get bonuses. Then there are the diversification trips. They're really fun and everything's first class – definitely more than most of us would spend on our own vacations. Finally, there's the limited partnership where you can become part owner of the firm. Most companies don't have that.
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