Ok, so who's Captain Obvious? Since you're soliciting advice, you should be greatful for any response.

The trick in this biz, is to survive 3 yrs. Few people make it, because few folks can make it 3-4 yrs in. When you get passed 3 yrs, things get a bit easier, it just works that way. Take into account, that you also joined the biz at the worst possible time, the TOP OF THE MARKET. Now at the low of the market, you're having second thoughts? I'd suggest actually, if you can make it a couple few more years, you might see a run like 1942-1968 or 1974-2000.

And, hey, you know as well as everyone else, that there are no alternatives. I can't think of any biz right now that offers "security", decent wages, and taking in an entry level employee....

Everyone that is long term in this biz, has battle wounds, scars, from the building of their careers. Failed marriages, massive financial stress, blown up books, HR issues, depression, anxiety attacks, etc.... Welcome to the club, it's a wonderful life. You can either live the nightmare, or you can be "living the dream"!

BFP - That last post may be the best advice I have ever heard about getting started.   I have lived a lot of what you said in the last three years, but fortunately not the worst.   Great Post!

And if you're like me, sometimes if you only knew what was ahead of you, you'd never have bothered taking the journey. And, much of it is how we view adversity. It can be the most thrilling adventure of your life, or sheer terror. Kaner, congrats on getting to where you are. Be either too stupid or stubborn to quit, then reap the rewards later. Kaner, it's coming, the best of times await us that have taken that white knuckle ride.

BFP- Sorry that was not directed at you, my post for whatever reason have a 2 hour delay before they post.  Thanks for your advice.  I never post on here, but have read a number of your post and respect your opinion.  I ran into a bank broker with Chase who left after less than 3 years and mentioned something in the regards to he doesn't have to prospect as much because people come to him through the banks internal referrals.  Also said he is on a base salary, and a lower payout. True?  Not sure how a bank broker gets paid, but would imagine a good portion of new clients come from internal referrals.  

I had a decent understanding when I got in to this, but like a lot of Jones recruits everything was sugar coated so they could earn a div trip for recruiting me.  I knew it was going to be a struggle in the first couple years like I was told.  But didn't know, and wasn't told that the two years of grinding it out is more like 5-7 of grinding it out before it gets easier. 

Once again I have ZERO problem with grinding it out for that time period.  It's the unsteady income that's killing me.   

Give me a break! Do you think that the management at Mother Merryl, UBS, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, etc....  are not about the money and are not profit motivated. Maybe you were or were not treated fairly at EDJ, but I dare say EDJ has a better track record than the aforementioned financial services companies.

[quote=boycott edward jones]

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[quote=NEWNEWJONESER]

I had a decent understanding when I got in to this, but like a lot of Jones recruits everything was sugar coated so they could earn a div trip for recruiting me. [/quote]

I keep seeing idiotic statements like this one pop up here from time to time and it makes me chuckle every time I see it.  It is true that when we recruit someone to EDJ and they get hired, we get credit for it on our diversification trips.  However, that doesn't mean we automatically earn a trip.  There are three other categories to fill and 108,000 points (commission dollars) to make during the contest.  The new hire doesn't even give us points.  I think I'm up to 5 recruits now, and not one of them has been the difference between me winning a trip or not. 

NewNew, you really just have to accept the fact that your creator made you a Registered Rep, and that will never change, you were born to do this, and come hell or high water...

I'll send you a message regarding another matter you brought up.  

Wow, I never thought of it like that. I feel better.

New new

If you give up your career you better hope you stay married to that wife. Keep working away for 3-5 more years and then leave Jones and go Indy.

Thanks for the advice- just to clarify, I wasn't looking at giving up my career.  I stated earlier I like doing what I do. I was just trying to find out what are the different options I have within this career. 

Thanks for the advice- just to clarify, I wasn't looking at giving up my career.  I stated earlier I like doing what I do. I was just trying to find out what are the different options I have within this career.