1st 6months @ Merrill

Mar 12, 2007 6:13 am

I just signed on with Merrill Lynch, can anyone tell me what the first six months is like?  Oh, I also signed on fully licensed with no AUM so I don't have to study or take any of the test. 

Mar 12, 2007 1:46 pm

You will be very busy.  You will be expected to wear a blue suit, white shirt, and a tie to work every day.  There will be lots of meetings.

Mar 12, 2007 2:55 pm

[quote=joedabrkr]You will be very busy.  You will be expected to
wear a blue suit, white shirt, and a tie to work every day.  There
will be lots of meetings. [/quote]



You forgot the part about the manatee tank.

Mar 12, 2007 5:35 pm

[quote=BullBroker]

I just signed on with Merrill Lynch, can anyone tell me what the first six months is like?  Oh, I also signed on fully licensed with no AUM so I don't have to study or take any of the test. 

[/quote]

You can't be serious.  You are a licensed broker and you don't know what to expect???  How could you have accepted the job and signed the employment agreement?  Where do you people come from and why on earth did Merrill hire you?

 . . . .hmmmm unless you are wealthy, and you come from a wealthy family whose assets you will be immediately expected to transfer over.

Mar 12, 2007 6:31 pm

[quote=joedabrkr]You will be very busy.  You will be expected to wear a blue suit, white shirt, and a tie to work every day.  There will be lots of meetings. [/quote]

There aren't THAT many meetings...

Mar 12, 2007 8:35 pm

Well now that we have figured out who is obviously not Merrill Lynch material.  Thanks for that response Vbrainy you have now saved me tons of time.  Now when I am going through old post to get some of the wealth of wisdom on this board and not waste time asking the same repetitive question I know who’s post I can completely ignore.  You obviously wish to help no one and most likely couldn’t if you wanted to.  My question was directed more or less to people who have been through the POA program @ Merrill and what the first six months of that program is like.  Yes I am licensed and yes I do know the generics of what is expected at a “wirehouse” firm my first six months.  I apologize for not being more specific in my question I didn’t realize I was dealing with people like Vbrainy, I “thought” I was asking “professional” opinions. 

Mar 12, 2007 8:44 pm

[quote=BullBroker]Well now that we have figured out who is obviously not Merrill Lynch material.  Thanks for that response Vbrainy you have now saved me tons of time.  Now when I am going through old post to get some of the wealth of wisdom on this board and not waste time asking the same repetitive question I know who’s post I can completely ignore.  You obviously wish to help no one and most likely couldn’t if you wanted to.  My question was directed more or less to people who have been through the POA program @ Merrill and what the first six months of that program is like.  Yes I am licensed and yes I do know the generics of what is expected at a “wirehouse” firm my first six months.  I apologize for not being more specific in my question I didn’t realize I was dealing with people like Vbrainy, I “thought” I was asking “professional” opinions.  [/quote]

Dude if it’s that easy for some one to get you spun up you’re never going to make it in this business…you’ll fold like a cheap suit under pressure.

Mar 12, 2007 8:48 pm

[/quote]

 Where do you people come from and why on earth did Merrill hire you?

[/quote]

To answer your question; where I come from is none of your business,  "why on earth did Merrill hire me",  considering I don't have wealthy parents and I didn't have a single "connection" getting my foot in the door I wondered the same thing.  Here is what the Branch Manager said, "You are the most well-spoken, intelligent young man I have ever met", "I have never seen someone your age speak so intelligently about world economics and the market".   I also think it impressed him that I had put myself through college obtaining a Bachelors in Economics while working a full-time job.  Paying for all my books and fees and working a full-time job while passing the 7 and 66, in 3 months.  I am still thanking God that I got in with Merrill and didn't have to slop it out with some lower-end firm and after 7 years transfer to Merrill.  I have paid my dues and they are finally showing signs of paying me back. 

Mar 12, 2007 9:00 pm

I am just going to leave that one alone Joe, I might be young, but I am smart enough not to make enemies with too many Dinosaurs.  The Dinosaurs are the ones with all the capital. 

Mar 12, 2007 9:21 pm

[quote=BullBroker]I am just going to leave that one alone Joe, I might be young, but I am smart enough not to make enemies with too many Dinosaurs.  The Dinosaurs are the ones with all the capital.  [/quote]

Interesting comment.

I’ll not get too caught up in your usage of the term “Dinosaur”.  I’ve been around for quite a while and have some capital.  I am, however, far from being at risk of extinction.  Trust me.

You might want to figure out a way to calm yourself down before responding to an answer you don’t like, and I’d suggest you avoid using the term “dinosaur” around the veterans in the branch.

Mar 12, 2007 10:39 pm

dually noted.

Mar 13, 2007 12:30 am

[quote=BullBroker]I am just going to leave that one alone Joe, I might
be young, but I am smart enough not to make enemies with too many
Dinosaurs.  The Dinosaurs are the ones with all the capital. 
[/quote]



And many of them are much too smart/experienced to dismiss those with more experience.



Back into the manatee tank for you.

Mar 13, 2007 1:13 am

[quote=joedabrkr]....you'll fold like a cheap suit under pressure.
[/quote]

I prefer the "lawn chair" analogy

Mar 13, 2007 1:31 am

[quote=BullBroker][/quote]

 Where do you people come from and why on earth did Merrill hire you?

[/quote]

To answer your question; where I come from is none of your business,  "why on earth did Merrill hire me",  considering I don't have wealthy parents and I didn't have a single "connection" getting my foot in the door I wondered the same thing.  Here is what the Branch Manager said, "You are the most well-spoken, intelligent young man I have ever met", "I have never seen someone your age speak so intelligently about world economics and the market".   I also think it impressed him that I had put myself through college obtaining a Bachelors in Economics while working a full-time job.  Paying for all my books and fees and working a full-time job while passing the 7 and 66, in 3 months.  I am still thanking God that I got in with Merrill and didn't have to slop it out with some lower-end firm and after 7 years transfer to Merrill.  I have paid my dues and they are finally showing signs of paying me back. 

[/quote]

How come your study didn't include a business plan for the first year and the next 5 years? 

If you had done a business plan, you would know that for the frst 90 days (120 days for those starting without a license) you can't do a damn thing other than learn about the business.  My guess is that most of your time for the first 90 days is going to be spent learning the Merrill platform and products.  You'll also need to do a lot of low-voltage networking (because you can't solicit business until those 90 days are up)

Then when they let you out of the gates, you can basically forget about everything you supposedly know concerning world economics and the market.  That information will not help you at all.   Merrill hired you to be a salesman, and your duty will be to gather assets.
Mar 13, 2007 2:13 am

BullBroker wrote:

I just signed on with Merrill Lynch, can anyone tell me what the first six months is like?  Oh, I also signed on fully licensed with no AUM so I don't have to study or take any of the test. 

You can't be serious.  You are a licensed broker and you don't know what to expect???  How could you have accepted the job and signed the employment agreement?  Where do you people come from and why on earth did Merrill hire you?

 . . . .hmmmm unless you are wealthy, and you come from a wealthy family whose assets you will be immediately expected to transfer over.


Vbrainy:

What the ***k do you know about what qualities make  a successful broker?  

You have yet to contribute any useful knowledge to anyone on this forum.  

Mar 13, 2007 2:17 am

[quote=ManagedMoney]

Then when they let you out of the gates, you can basically forget about everything you supposedly know concerning world economics and the market.  That information will not help you at all.   Merrill hired you to be a salesman, and your duty will be to gather assets.
[/quote]

This is very true. If you're interested in world economics and the market, you need to work toward becoming a Market Analyst (CFA) or portfolio manager.

In this side of the business, you'll be selling, selling, selling.