Joining an RIA?

Apr 19, 2011 10:09 pm

Hi everyone.

I've just moved back to the US - where I am from - after several years working as an investment advisor in the UK at a large global company. I have great experience managing investments and great qualifications but no job. I would love to join an RIA and I'm wondering if anyone here can tell me how difficult it would be for me to get onboard at an RIA when I have no book of business to bring. In the UK I inherited all of my clients so have little experience with building my own book from scratch, though I do know how to work with and develop warm leads.

I've been meeting with a lot of people in the industry here and everyone tells me that my experience and qualifications are great and that I carry myself well and that I shouldn't have any problem finding anything. Ideally, I would like to find work as a portfolio manager for an advisor who is perhaps near to capacity and needs to have more time to spend building the business. I would also be willing ot go in at a more junior role with more administrative responsibilities to get my foot in the door and perhaps work my way up.

I would be grateful if anyone could give me any insight on how difficult it would be to get a foot in at an RIA or any tips that you have to do so. Or any other thoughts you may have. I am in Minneapolis and mid 30s and female if it matters.

Thanks in advance.