How to get a job at Edward Jones.

I am considering a change in careers from real estate to financial/investment sales, brought on by an upcoming move to a new area and knowing that I will be needing to start a new book of business in either real estate or something else. An EJ advisor who I know mentioned to me that he thought I would make a great FA, so I applied, and have an interview arranged for next week.

I'm doing some due diligence speaking with a few other FA's, and have read through this forum (which has me wondering if want to switch to financial advisory, and with EJ, but I am keeping an open mind.

The question I have is, I am really only interested in one specific location, where my family is relocating. And, the relocation timing is fuzzy. It could be in 6 months, maybe 1 year. At what point should I bring this up in the interview stage, and if EJ does want to hire me, will they wait for me to relocate if I cant immediately relocate, or if there are no openings now, can I get on some sort of 'waiting list', and the start training? Or will they 'force' me to select an area that is open now, or tell me to reapply when I am ready. Perhaps I started the process to soon, but I an also weighing real estate options and want some time to wind down my business where I am today, and get moving on my new career.

bR

If you can have a conversation without falling all over yourself, you have an excellent chance. Even if you can't, you still have an excellent chance. They just hire as many people as possible b/c they know that 80% will fail. Just be prepared for door to door sales...it's different...and tough if you have any self-respect.

I am very interested in beginning a career with EJ but am planning on moving somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area. How would that work with EJ? Do they let you choose where you want to open your office and what if you don't already live there?

Can anyone tell me if EJ hires me, and I want to work in just one specific location (which requires a move), but there is currently nothing available in that location, will they allow me to wait for a period of time until something does come available?

Or, if I am willing to move to another location which has availability, will they let me wait for a period of time until I can move that that area, or does it have to begin immediately.

Would they allow me to start developing business in my current location (80 miles away) until an office was available, or I could move?

I want to be upfront with my situation, but dont want to lose an opportunity if I an offered and decide to take it.

You don't have to worry about something "being available". When hired, you just tell them where you want to work, and that's where you work. you won't be able to start one place the. Switch later, unless you want to start all over again which isn't fun. Remember, this is a 100% commission job, and you generate every piece of business you get, yourself. So once you start in a certain location, you will want to just stay there.

HELLO I AM NO LONGER WITH NAA AND LOVIN in West Lafayette, Indiana said: Is being a BOA a good job to have with this company?? I am scheduled to interview with the local FA soon. Already went through a phone interview, and now I am expected to be face to face. Just need to know what to expect.

How did the FTF interview go??? Did you get the job? Also did you have to take any sort of math tests? drug screenings etc? before they hired you? Just curious on what all is involved in the hiring process for a BOA. THanks.

kellyss in Janesville, Wisconsin said: Ok, here is what has happened with me as of now for a BOA position. I did the two phone interviews, the face to face with the FA in the office, the skills test also at that time, I received a phone call from recruiter and we finally made contact today after playing phone tag for two days. I was offered the position, CONTINGENT on the background check. I asked her about the credit check and she told me for this position they look at bankruptcies, liens, and judgements, if you have any that are ongoing and/or not discharged off your report, YOU WILL NOT BE HIRED FOR BOA. I should be just fine in this area, so I will know in 5-7 business days if the offer holds. They are sending out the employee info today via UPS and once the background goes through and I return the paperwork I was offered a start date of January 2, 2008, which I accepted. SO, I think I am feeling pretty good about things and I will keep you posted.
K

What was the test like that you had to take during your F2F interview???

Also how long did the background check take? That would suck if you have a job and have to put in a 2 week notice.. and then the background check comes back that you can't get the job.

Did you get the job? How has it been if so? Any advice for someone interested in the BOA position?

kellyss in Janesville, Wisconsin said: I GOT THE JOB!!!! I am so excited! I start on January 2 as BOA in the new Milton, WI office! I got the call yesterday that the background and credit check came back approved and I can work for EJ!
Thanks for the support here!
K

Congrats!! So tell us........ how is the new job?

hello I am about to start the PASS training program at Edward Jones in St. Louis. I was wondering if they have a screening process (background/criminal check, credit history, drug test etc.) for the PASS program or if they do that afterwards before you actually go to work at your specific branch

Jeff in Addison, Illinois said: hello I am about to start the PASS training program at Edward Jones in St. Louis. I was wondering if they have a screening process (background/criminal check, credit history, drug test etc.) for the PASS program or if they do that afterwards before you actually go to work at your specific branch

I went through the PASS program and all of those things will be done before you go to St. Louis.

I just went through the hiring process for EJ. Everyone with which I spoke was very professional and very nice. I started the process online on Oct 19th, and was offered a position on Nov 16th...so expect 30 days for the entire process.
I stared with a phone screening right after I sent the online application. Then, proceeded to a full phone interview where the HR rep asked 4 open ended questions. From here, I was sent to a local FA to interview, and this FA set up another interview with his Regional Leader. After passing through the FA interview, they did the background check, and once passing that I was sent to a face to face interview with another person. I had an offer 2 days after my face to face (interviewed on Monday late afternoon, and offered a job Wednesday morning).
Once piece of advice.....end every interview (phone and face to face) with this question: "So now that we have talked, and you know more about me and my qualifications, do you have any reservations about my ability to become a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones?" This question worked well for me and I knew at the end of each interview if the person with whom I was speaking would send me on to the next step.
Best of luck...and I start training December 19th.

Just had the 4 hour "assessment" the last step before an offer...it is very apparent that this job is nothing but cold calling and door-to-door hustling. Fail to meet their quota and you will be in the dog house. After realizing how much cold calling is involved and how little the pay is I decided to take a position somewhere else - a well known name without the BS.

Arrow in Mesa, Arizona said: Just had the 4 hour "assessment" the last step before an offer...it is very apparent that this job is nothing but cold calling and door-to-door hustling. Fail to meet their quota and you will be in the dog house. After realizing how much cold calling is involved and how little the pay is I decided to take a position somewhere else - a well known name without the BS.

What was your 4 hour assessment? I heard its like a mock day where actors call you pretending to be clients. Any truth to this?

Arrow in Mesa, Arizona said: Just had the 4 hour "assessment" the last step before an offer...it is very apparent that this job is nothing but cold calling and door-to-door hustling. Fail to meet their quota and you will be in the dog house. After realizing how much cold calling is involved and how little the pay is I decided to take a position somewhere else - a well known name without the BS.

Can you give me more detail on the 4 hour assessment? Thanks!