Fidelity Financial Representative - Career Progression
Hey what's up? I will be graduating with a 3.8 GPA in finance from a state school in Texas next month and to be completely honest the job search has been brutal. I've had multiple second round interviews, but no offers. Not that it really matters, but I don't know anyone that is graduating from my school in finance with a job right now.
I am hoping someone can provide some insight into the possible career path for a Fidelity financial representative. Obviously this entry-level position is not ideal, but is it something where I can get into an actual finance job from this position or not so much?
Thanks for the help.
Comments (15)
Honestly it is not likely at all. It is possible, if you do some serious production in your 1st year and get invtied to company parties and get awards and shit. At these parties you can meet the analysts and portfolio managers and possibly network your way onto their teams but its still slim at best.
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I wouldn't bank on this at all. It's a really big company, and being at a branch office somewhere would not give you any opportunity to even be in the same room as analysts and pms, let alone network. I don't really know much about the position itself, but the fund management side is pretty separate from the retail brokerage side
Where did I say that at your local branch office you would run into the analysts or PMs? I said you would have to win an award for doing a shit ton of business with in your 1st year to even have a shot a meeting any of those people. Plus I said even then it was really unlikely. It doesnt look like you even read my post.
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Fidelity Investor Center Financial Representative (Originally Posted: 08/31/2010)
Does anyone know anything about this job? I have a phone interview coming up and am trying to see if its just some call center crap essentially or a good opportunity where I can also get my 7 and 63.
Here's the job description below:
Position Description
This position is an entry level opportunity that is ideal for a professional with sales and personal financial planning as their career goal. The optimum candidate will have some sales and customer service/banking experience with a bachelor's degree in Business, Economics or Finance.
Primary Responsibilites
Qualifications
Education and Experience
Skills and Knowledge
investor center is a branch, not a call center..so you will be assisting the branch investment reps and FSA's (i think that's what they are called now) and helping clients with minor bullshit until you advance. fidelity offers great training for you to get your licenses.
If you're going to be in retail brokerage and/or be a financial advisor, Fidelity is a good place to be. It may not be a great place to be if you want to be a trader or fund manager.
There's a lot of smart people at Fidelity, but it's not necessarily a great path into banking or trading.
Fidelity Financial Rep. (Originally Posted: 07/27/2009)
Hi. I'm a new member to this site, but have been looking around for awhile. I was hoping you guys in the industry could give me some advice. First off, I am a graduate with a degree in Finance from a Non-Target (still a major university though). I completed an internship at a small brokerage firm my junior year, and am hoping to someday get into Institutional Sales, preferably Equities. However, with my lack experience, nontarget status, and a GPA around 3.2, I know the chances of even landing an interview are slim to none. But right now that is fine (looking long term here).
What I would like to know is, how does a Licensed Financial Representative job at Fidelity Investments look on a resume, say if I worked there for 3-5 years? I am about to have a phone interview with a recruiter at Fidelity, and would like to know if this is actually something worth pursuing, or if it is a resume killer. Pretty much the job description has it that I would be executing trades for individual investors, discussing the markets with them, and educating them on Fidelity's online trading tools.
I know its not the glitz and glamor of being a S&T guy on the Street, but in this job market, with my background, is this a decent start to my career? And could I ever leverage it into a job on a Sales desk at a bank? Also, any input on how it would look for Business school would be much appreciated.
Thanks everyone. I look forward to hearing back, and contributing to the site.
-Addison09
The real question is, what other choice do you have?
I also have a final round interview coming up with a Financial Advisory firm. Both positions will require the Series 7, with the Fidelity position requiring the 63 and the Financial Advisory position the 66 and life and health licenses. So at least either position will allow me to obtain these licenses. My feeling was that the training and the brand name of Fidelity alone would make it a lot better than the Financial Advisory firm (it's not a wirehouse).
How did it turn out?
You can always try getting a job at one of the major investment banks or BBs as an Investment Advisor and network internally and use the internal directory to establish rapport via email. It may take some work but that is really the better option at this point. You can always go back to school and attend a more reputable business school and get an MBA and re-brand yourself as well.
Epic Bump - would love to hear how this turned out for OP
I haven't been on this site for a long while. But almost a full 12 years later and here you go with the update.
Ended up going another route - corporate finance with a touch of accounting. Have had great opportunities open up and now lead a team of FP&A and adjusting the last few years to being a leader of leaders (first Director role). So if anyone is feeling down and out. Keep fighting and know that opportunities will be there if you don't give up and get better every day. Been very fortunate to have the opportunities I have gotten at one company over the last 12 years.
If you have questions - reach out! Happy to help and provide a perspective.
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