Phone Interview with AGE
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If any one has any knowledge as to what I should expect I would very grateful for some insight. I know I should ask the interviewer some questions as well, but I’ve already read up on the company and industry. I don’t want to appear unconcerned, but what can I ask them?
Ask them to describe their training program, before and after taking the Series 7.
What hurdles (asset gathering, revenue, etc.) will you be expected to achieve the 1st year, 2nd year, etc?
What assistance will they give in your obtaining specific designations: CFP, CIMA, etc?
Do they offer some type of mentoring program with a senior broker?
What's the marketshare of the AGE office in that area?
Who (is, are) the biggest competitor(s) and why?
Good luck!
[quote=doberman]
Ask them to describe their training program, before and after taking the Series 7.
What hurdles (asset gathering, revenue, etc.) will you be expected to achieve the 1st year, 2nd year, etc?
What assistance will they give in your obtaining specific designations: CFP, CIMA, etc?
Do they offer some type of mentoring program with a senior broker?
What's the marketshare of the AGE office in that area?
Who (is, are) the biggest competitor(s) and why?
Good luck!
[/quote]
Those are all good, but don't forget the closer, "Mr. Johnson I think you're the most interesting person I've ever met. Can I take you to Bermuda for the weekend?"
[quote=Home Officer][quote=doberman]
Ask them to describe their training program, before and after taking the Series 7.
What hurdles (asset gathering, revenue, etc.) will you be expected to achieve the 1st year, 2nd year, etc?
What assistance will they give in your obtaining specific designations: CFP, CIMA, etc?
Do they offer some type of mentoring program with a senior broker?
What's the marketshare of the AGE office in that area?
Who (is, are) the biggest competitor(s) and why?
Good luck!
[/quote]
Those are all good, but don't forget the closer, "Mr. Johnson I think you're the most interesting person I've ever met. Can I take you to Bermuda for the weekend?"
[/quote]
Why not, Put? It apparently worked for you with Mr. Humphrey!
Once again something clever is tossed out and the clever poster is immediately thought to be Put Trader.
I wonder if any single personality has ever so dominated an Internet message board?
[quote=Starka]Clever? Why, thank you, Put![/quote]
Not hardly. I be clever, you be vapid.
When I'm asked "why do you want to be a FA?", is it wrong to tell them I am interested in learning how to make money, and that money is a prime motivator for me, or do I appear to be shallow?
[quote=brainflux]
When I'm asked "why do you want to be a FA?", is it wrong to tell them I am interested in learning how to make money, and that money is a prime motivator for me, or do I appear to be shallow?
[/quote]
Your job is not to learn to make money--it's to advise others how to make money.
Not good.
[quote=brainflux]Well, is wrong to say i want to make money?[/quote]
That is better than telling anybody that you want to learn to make money.
Use the word "earn" rather than "make."
how long have you, Home Officer, been in the business? I notice your a “newbie”, but that only applies to the website. Another thing, who is this infamous “Put”?
You want to build a career for yourself by developing a series of long term relationships.
[quote=brainflux]how long have you, Home Officer, been in the business? I notice your a "newbie", but that only applies to the website. Another thing, who is this infamous "Put"?[/quote]
Got registered in 1972.
As for the infamous Put. He is a guy who contributed to this forum for several months.
He too had been around for more than thirty years. Bright guy, very bright. Offered good advice to those who listened.
Made enemies among the morons.
Cna you think of any question that me throw me off guard, or be a baited trap, or am I just being silly now?
[quote=Home Officer]
[quote=brainflux]I like your answer HO. Thanks.[/quote]
Thanks, I try.
[/quote]
You try. The rest of us succeed. So you keep trying there, Put. Someday you might actually be successful. (I doubt it though.)
Even though it will be a phone interview, put on a coat and tie as if you were going to a face to face meeting.
Stand while you talk to them.
They will ask how much money you want to make.
This is the most dangerous point in interviewing, regardless of what you're applying for. You simply cannot toss out a number--it's way too early. Even talking in generalites is dangerous. If you come across as somebody who is happy with next to nothing you won't be hired because you're not ambitious--but if you come across as somebody who is driven by money you'll come across as somebody who could become a compliance problem.
This is one of the many differences between interviewing for an insurance job and being interviewed for a securities industry job. Insurance is sleazy and they like to hear "All I want to do is make money" in a tone of voice similar to the famous line from "Alice's Restaurant" about going to Viet Nam to kill.
A stock brokerage firm is infinitely more professional. Try something like this:
"It is my understanding that my long-term success will be my responsibility but that AG Edwards, like all firms, has a policy of helping us get started. To keep the wolf away from the door so to speak so we can concentrate on our future.
I'm sure that after a face-to-face meeting the local manager will be in a position to know what the firm will offer based on what I will be bringing to the table."
They will be listening to you, how you speak, if you butcher the language and so forth. You know yourself, if you cannot speak well, if you screw up verbs, things like that you should go slow.
Don't be afraid to buy some time with a comment such as "I guess I didn't think you'd ask that. Can we come back to it before we end the call and let me think about it while we chat about other things."
Have you talked with other firms? If not, why not? If yes, did you get an offer? If not, why not? If so, why are you talking to AGE instead of accepting the offer?
Do you know people who invest?
What do you do with your spare time?
If you're married, will your spouse be willing to put up with long hours? If you're not married are you willing to give up your social life for a couple of years?
What was the biggest mistake you've ever made? Tell them that you would make it if you answered that question. Then go on to say that you really haven't made any big mistakes and that every minor one was a learning experience.
[quote=Starka]
You try. The rest of us succeed. So you keep trying there, Put. Someday you might actually be successful. (I doubt it though.)
[/quote]
Brainflux,
Whatever you do in life try to never be like this loser.