Archive for category: Advice from crew
You’ve just received that job offer for your dream job. What’s next? Before you celebrate, there are a few crucial steps to take to ensure a smooth transition into your new role.
Check out this video from Vanguard recruiter Julie Y. to learn three essential actions every candidate should consider after landing that dream job.
Interested in a career at Vanguard? Click here to learn more.
Vanguard’s Innovative Benefits Support Your Well-Being Your Way
In this blog, we introduce Vanguard’s new FlexFund benefit. This forward-thinking offer first started in the tech industry, and Vanguard is one of the first financial institutions to adopt it.
Vanguard Dallas: Join Our Team of Advisors
In this blog, Luke H. shares what he is most excited about serving as a leader at our new Vanguard site in Dallas, Texas.
My Experience at Last Year’s Grace Hopper Conference
In this blog, Kimberly W. shares her experience attending the Grace Hopper Celebration in 2021.
In this blog, several crew open up about their experiences in changing careers and joining Vanguard’s Client Services and Operations group.
Join Vanguard’s Global Risk and Security Division
In this blog, Principal and Chief Information Security Officer, Manish Nagar, shares insights into the work GR&S is responsible for, his personal career experiences, and Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas, Texas.
What makes Vanguard stand out in the financial services industry?
What makes Vanguard unique is its ownership structure, which removes the friction caused by competing elements in serving owners versus investors. At Vanguard, they are truly one and the same and this results in all decisions being grounded in doing the right thing for our clients. Vanguard’s client-first mission is embedded in our approach to investing, decision-making, and company culture. I have peace of mind knowing that the work I do every day is creating value ethically and with integrity for our clients.
What are you looking forward to most with Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas?
I am looking forward to building a team of advisors from all walks of life who are dedicated to helping investors achieve their best financial futures. Texas has such a rich and diverse culture that is full of pride. I believe these elements will be a great addition to Vanguard. I’m also excited to hold team gatherings at BBQ and Tex-Mex joints, where we can connect outside of the workplace and enjoy local cuisine, too!
What skills and competencies make a financial advisor at Vanguard successful?
The best financial advisors that I have seen demonstrate a high degree of emotional intelligence with clients. They are able to build authentic connections and establish trust with clients quickly. As a financial advisor, trust is critical to uncovering sensitive financial situations in a client’s life that they may be hesitant to share. I would also say that great financial advisors are also great teachers; they effectively communicate complex financial subjects in a way that is easier for a client to understand.
How will Vanguard support a financial advisor’s career growth?
Financial advisors are encouraged to pursue the CFP® exam with Vanguard’s support if they do not already hold the certification. The CFP certification is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications within the financial services industry. There are also many opportunities to learn, shadow, and receive mentorship from senior financial advisors to help advisors grow and develop within the craft.
More about Javier: After completing his undergraduate degree in Finance, Javier joined Vanguard through an accelerated leadership training program. Javier has been a leader in several business departments and is currently a manager in Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services, leading a team of financial advisors. Javier holds the CFP certification and is passionate about coaching advisors to meet the wide range of client needs.
Are you interested in joining our team in Dallas, Texas? View our Advice opportunities today!
Please check out our first and second installments of this series to learn more about Financial Advisor opportunities and our new Dallas site from Luke and McKenna.
1Vanguard is investor-owned, meaning the fund shareholders own the funds, which in turn own Vanguard.
What makes Vanguard stand out in the financial services industry?
As an advisor at Vanguard, no part of my compensation is based on commission. Instead, I get to partner with my clients to determine what is most valuable to them, without any competing priorities. When I meet with clients or prospects, it’s not about a pressured, sales-esque call. Instead, I feel as though I’m sitting across from them, cup of coffee in hand, talking about what is most important to them in life and how I can help them achieve their financial goals.
What are you looking forward to most with Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas?
In addition to what you do, I think one of the most critical parts to enjoying work is who you have alongside you. At Vanguard, I’ve had the privilege of working next to some amazing people that make everyday work more enjoyable. These are individuals who challenge me, mentor me, and help me grow personally and professionally. Being able to start a new office in Dallas allows us to continue to expand our team with an amazing variety of talent, knowledge, and background, and is something I am incredibly excited for. Individually we are effective, but collectively we can be undeniable.
What skills and competencies make a financial advisor at Vanguard successful?
There are so many competencies that help make a well-rounded, successful advisor. It’s important to be detail oriented, caring, curious, passionate, timely, organized, empathetic, and more. However, I believe what is at the core of all these skills, and most crucial, is an ownership mindset. An ownership mindset is a theme that begins with the ownership structure of Vanguard and carries through to the culture and way we work, and the function of Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services (PAS) as a department. I come to work each day with the freedom to take initiative, am empowered to make decisions, and as a result, have personal responsibility for the outcomes that follow. This drives me to engage wholeheartedly with my clients, new and existing, and work hard to help them achieve their best outcomes in all ways possible.
How will Vanguard support a financial advisor’s career growth?
Vanguard offers many opportunities for continued career growth. In fact, it’s something that initially attracted me to the company. A few things that I have taken advantage of are the mentorship programs, formal and informal, and Crew Resource Groups (CRGs). With the formal mentorship programs, I was able to work one-on-one with a mentor, going through personalized curriculum covering everything from career progression and networking, to resume skills and interviewing tips. I am also part of a CRG established to support Vanguard’s efforts to increase the representation of women in leadership at Vanguard. This provides allies and support for career progression, coaching, and networking opportunities geared towards women specifically. In addition to these, every week there is time built into my schedule by Vanguard to continue my personal development, including sessions that allow me to gain Continuing Education credits for my CFP® designation.
More about McKenna: I began my financial services career with Vanguard in 2016. I find joy in helping improve the lives of my clients every day by collaborating with them to define and achieve their versions of success. My husband and I recently moved to Frisco, TX, with our two tuxedo cats. I love traveling, being outdoors, baking, and eating said baked goods.
Are you interested in joining our team in Dallas, Texas? View our Advice opportunities today!
Please check out our first installment of this series to learn more about Financial Advisor opportunities and our new Dallas site from Luke.
Tell me about yourself. How long have you been at Vanguard? What has your career journey looked like and what business area do you recruit for?
I’ve been a recruiter for many years and although the industries and opportunities have varied, the lasting relationships have been consistent. Like any relationship, they’re built on offering advice along with open and honest communication.
I was so fortunate to become a part of Vanguard’s “crew” in 2018! I work with Vanguard’s Retail Investor Group (RIG) and partner with our Personal Advisor Services (PAS) division. We hire mid- and senior-level CFP Financial Advisors who have a passion for providing Vanguard’s clients valuable guidance and solutions for achieving their financial goals.
How do you recommend candidates prepare for an interview at Vanguard and for the Financial Advisor role?
Do your homework. Advisory services vary from company to company, so don’t assume anything. Be sure you understand the company’s offering and whether it blends with your views and why you became an advisor. Remind yourself the reasons you want this position and to work for this organization, as well as how you’d like to present that throughout your interviews. Think about your relevant experience as well as what the position can offer you. Review the Linked In profiles of any leaders you’re scheduled to meet. There might be some commonalities that ease any concerns or could be used to build comradery as you go into an interview. A good recruiter will share prep information prior to an interview and if they don’t; ask them for it!
Further, bring some good energy and passion to the interview. Show your ability to think critically and conceptually as questions are asked and take a minute to gather your thoughts before answering. Bring depth to your responses, communicate how you’ve made an impact and remember to be concise; it’s a balancing act! Listen very closely to the questions so your answers are relevant and feel free to ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you didn’t understand it. Think about how you will articulate your valuable book management strategy, relationship management, and planning, and the impact it has made with your clients.
Why PAS at Vanguard?
Vanguard’s PAS Advisors are fiduciaries– they have a CFP designation and are aligned with Vanguard’s mission to provide our clients with the best chance for investment success. Advisors offer planning by way of asset allocation, tax optimization, investment guidance and advice, insurance planning, estate planning, retirement, and goals-based planning. Advisors will build and strengthen relationships and offer a wholistic planning approach. By being salaried employees, Vanguard’s Advisors have the opportunity to remove any conflict of interest by not being focused on product placement, and so, are aligned to be on the same side of the table with our clients.
What advice do you have for experienced candidates who are interested in a career change?
I always love speaking with candidates ready for a career change. There’s usually a lot of thought and passion behind the decision. If you are just starting that journey, I suggest heavily researching the entry into that field or position to fully understand what’s required and what it’s about. Your assumptions may change as you learn more about “a day in the life” of a particular role, along with the potential education and/or certifications required. Network with as many people in that field as you can and ask about the pros and cons of the role. Budget in personal time so you can consider taking a volunteer job to get that valuable thing called “experience”.
What additional resources can candidates reference to learn more about careers in this field at Vanguard?
Watch the Vanguard Advisors Career Overview video and read our crew testimonials. Take it a step further and connect with advisors on LinkedIn or request an exploratory call to learn more prior to submitting a formal application.
-Caroline Trimp, Financial Advisor Recruiter
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
What makes Vanguard stand out in the financial services industry?
Vanguard’s investor-owned structure is something that always stood out to me. The driving force behind everything we do is our clients. How many companies are actively looking for ways to lower costs so they can give more back to their clients? We are truly fiduciaries for our clients; we put their interests at the forefront of all that we do.
What are you looking forward to most with Vanguard’s new footprint in Dallas?
Dallas and the surrounding areas are full of advisors and other professionals who share Vanguard’s mission statement, even if they have never heard ours. Most advisors get into the profession with the intention of taking a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success. With Vanguard opening an office in Dallas, advisors will have the opportunity to align their ethics with their chosen career.
What skills and competencies make a financial advisor at Vanguard successful?
In my mind, a successful advisor must have empathy and strong communication skills. They should be able to put themselves in a client’s shoes and understand that their life, family, and finances are unique and important to them. Being able to communicate with a client in a way that creates trust is critical. There are clients who require assistance with budgeting and understanding how their decisions impact their financial futures. Some messages are difficult to deliver. Demonstrating empathy and proper communication will support clients in achieving their financial goals.
How will Vanguard support a financial advisor’s career growth?
One of my favorite things about Vanguard is that they truly care about their people and invest in our development. Before I was an advisor, Vanguard put me through a Certified Financial Planner™ program so I could obtain the credentials necessary to fulfill my dreams of becoming a financial advisor. I participated in the program with other Vanguard crew members, and I was given time that was helpful for me to master the materials and pass the required tests. Once I became an advisor, I was presented with the massive trove of resources that Vanguard prepares to ensure our advisors are educated on the latest changes and events in the industry. Vanguard also gives advisors access to third-party news publications to stay on the cutting edge. If that wasn’t enough, Vanguard also offers an academic assistance program to help you achieve goals like obtaining a Master’s degree or other formal education and certifications. Each week, advisors have dedicated time to spend on learning and growing. Vanguard doesn’t just talk about development, they give you the time, resources, and investment to do so.
More about Luke: With an undergraduate degree in Finance, Luke started his career at Vanguard in 2011 in Client Services. He held multiple roles before moving to the Personal Advisor Services (PAS) group as a financial advisor. In this position, he learned how to speak collaboratively about Vanguard’s methodology and assisted many clients with taking the necessary steps to help reach their financial goals. Luke has since transitioned to leadership, where he currently serves as an advisor manager. He has helped launch the Dallas site virtually but will be moving to Dallas before the campus opens its doors in 2022.
Are you interested in joining our team in Dallas, Texas? Check out our Advice opportunities today!
Vanguard’s enhanced Total Rewards package
Vanguard’s Total Rewards Package provides benefits for the unique needs of each of our crew members. Over the past year, it has become even more evident that these needs are ever-changing and different for each person. We continue to offer expanded benefits to fit various definitions of family and work-life balance, and aim to provide crew with the tools, resources, and programs they need to operate at their full potential – in both work and life.
On National Coming Out Day, Shawn H. opend up about how coming out is not a once and done experience—It’s ongoing.
How Vanguard supports long-term career growth
Vanguard supports the long-term career growth of our crew through an internal mobility process, as well as mentorships and upskilling resources. In this blog, Chelsea M. shares insights into our offerings as well as feedback from key stakeholders who have benefited from them.
Jun Oh’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program
Recruiting for MBA students is an extremely competitive landscape. Decisions are based on prior work experience and role compatibility, geographic variances, industry preferences, total compensation, benefits,
and more. So, what is it about Vanguard’s MBA Leadership Development Program that has both attracted and retained this high-potential talent? We took a deeper dive into this question and asked Vanguard crew members who participated in the MBA Leadership Development Program to recap their experience and share what initially attracted them to Vanguard and what keeps them feeling fulfilled in their roles. In this second installment of a three-part series, we highlight the experience of Jun Oh Y.
In this blog, Rebecca H. opens up about her journey to Vanguard and professional development opportunities she has received as a crew member.
I knew Vanguard by reputation because I’d specialized in covering personal finance and investing. The firm’s clear-eyed, long-term approach seemed vastly better than the feverish mentality that prevailed during the late ‘90s dot-com bubble. As a reporter, I had a front-row seat to witness the wealth destruction caused by Wall Street performance chasing and lack of diversification when that bubble burst.
Fifteen years ago this December, I landed a job as a writer for Vanguard and felt fortunate to be part of the “crew.”
The scoop on switching careers
I also felt culture shock.
I’d moved away from what I had thought would be a lifelong profession and was now working for one of the world’s largest investment firms, something I had never envisioned. How would I fit in?
Discovering that there were many others at Vanguard who’d made similar transitions helped ease my worries. (Indeed, company founder John C. Bogle himself had done a short stint as a “cub” newspaper reporter.)
I chatted with a former veteran wire service reporter who assured me that it wouldn’t be too long before I, like him, viewed joining Vanguard to be one of the best career decisions I’d ever made. In such a supportive environment, it didn’t take long before my fears melted away. It was an exciting time because there was so much to learn. I threw myself into getting up to speed, taking night classes and reading Mr. Bogle’s numerous books.
The more I learned, the more I noticed a change in my interests. I’d joined Vanguard thinking I’d always be a writer and editor. But as time went on, what really grabbed my attention was investing and learning about ways to build and safeguard wealth. One of my colleagues had experienced a similar transformation and left his writing job to become a Certified Financial Planner ™ for Vanguard Personal Advisor Services. But to me, such a big change seemed too daunting. How could I pursue a second, second career at this point?
How Nate changed my point of view
And then life—as it often does—took an unexpected twist. In 2014, our son Nate was born and forever changed the way I look at everything. Nate has Down syndrome, and the first two years of his life were one health care crisis after another. He underwent open heart surgery at five weeks. Right around his first birthday, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Thanks to spectacular care by nurses and doctors in our community, Nate has made a full recovery and is now as healthy as any seven-year-old I know.
Of course, I was profoundly affected by this experience. Among other things, I had a new perspective on what qualified as scary and difficult. Making another career change no longer seemed undoable.
And becoming a financial advisor now had an additional appeal. I was especially passionate about the opportunity to help clients who have loved ones with disabilities meet their unique financial challenges. From my own experience, I know that providing for children or other relatives with disabilities is often a family’s biggest single financial concern.
So, for the second time in my life, I took the plunge into an entirely new career. Fortunately, one of the distinctive aspects of Vanguard’s culture is an openness to trying new paths. This is true at any stage, whether you’re a veteran like me or a relative newcomer. Although I had no experience as a financial advisor, I was welcomed into a Vanguard-sponsored program to prepare for the rigorous CFP® exam.
A beginner all over again
Just like when I first joined Vanguard, I benefitted from tremendous support both in terms of formal training and informal coaching and encouragement from managers and colleagues.
Even with all the help, it wasn’t easy. I spent countless hours studying and had to contend with the stress of learning entirely new systems while adjusting to working directly with clients for the first time. Although I’d been with Vanguard for a long time, I was back to the uncomfortable feeling of being the “new kid” in school. If you’re contemplating a career change, don’t underestimate the challenges.
But don’t underestimate the payoff either. Today, I’m enjoying the fruits of my labors and feel more engaged in my work than I have in years. As a financial advisor, I can impact my clients’ lives for the better every day. And because I’m still relatively early on the journey, I feel like opportunities to keep learning are boundless.
It’s a time of year when many people reflect on what they’re thankful for. For me, it’s that I didn’t let fear stop me from going after a new career.
Lessons learned from two career switches
-Ted G.
Ted is a high net worth financial advisor for Vanguard Personal Advisor Services.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
How did you learn about Tech Elevator?
In the fall of 2019, I started to explore options to quickly change my career after feeling unfulfilled in my profession. I had always been interested in software development, and an acquaintance suggested I look at coding bootcamps, a concept completely foreign to me at the time. After researching a number of programs, Tech Elevator really stood out to me because of their transparency, commitment to their students, and their high alumni employment rate. They also had a matchmaking program that helped job candidates network with other companies — this in itself was an intriguing quality as someone who would be looking for a job in the near future. Luckily, Tech Elevator was opening its first cohort in Philadelphia in January of 2020, and after some conversations with the campus director and staff, I chose to enroll.
– Kevin M.
I joined Tech Elevator because of their astonishingly high placement rates for students after graduation, their curriculum, and continued support after graduation.
– Dennis P.
What ultimately led you to decide to pursue an opportunity with Vanguard?
During Tech Elevator’s Matchmaking program, I learned that Vanguard was one of Tech Elevator’s hiring partners. While I knew Vanguard was one of the largest financial institutions in the world, I didn’t realize what they had to offer in terms of culture and sense of community. There appeared to be a great balance between professionalism while still being your authentic self, which was exactly what I was looking for. I also wanted opportunities to learn and grow as a developer, which Vanguard has certainly provided.
– Kevin M.
Prior to interviewing at Vanguard, I researched the organization extensively. Vanguard emphasizes three core values: integrity, focus, and stewardship, all of which are important to me as a military veteran. The interviewing process at Vanguard was very relaxed conversational. I had an opportunity to speak with managers and senior leaders, all of whom were polite and informative. I could see why Vanguard has such a high retention rate. I left the interviews feeling positive and hopeful for an offer to accept.
– Dennis P.
What does your day to day look like since joining Vanguard? What are the most rewarding aspects of your role?
I work on a team of five developers, and we work in two-week sprints. At the beginning of a sprint, each developer is assigned one or more tasks, or “stories,” to complete–this could include research for a future story or coding a piece of functionality for the application we are working on. Every morning we have our daily standup meeting, which is a report on your progress from the previous day and what you plan to work on for the rest of the day. Additionally, we have sprint refinement sessions twice per sprint, and a sprint review at the end of the sprint where we can showcase the work we’ve done.
The most rewarding aspect of my role is the opportunity to increase my knowledge as a developer. Vanguard offers a number of professional development opportunities for those in tech, including certifications and ongoing education. So far in my role, I became an AWS Certified Developer, which was both challenging and rewarding, and have attended a number of Vanguard sponsored courses through PluralSight, an online learning and development platform for those interested in technology. I’m confident this ongoing education will only open doors for further opportunity within the company and my career as a developer.
– Kevin M.
Upon joining Vanguard, I was placed on a new team that was tasked with building an internal application that supports Vanguard advisors. It’s been a pleasurable experience working with crewmembers from my team and collaborating with colleagues across the organization. On average I spend a third of my day in meetings. Outside of those meetings I’m either working on stories for a current sprint, researching, collaborating with others, or learning. Vanguard has provided me with ample learning opportunities. For example, I was recently selected to participate in a pilot for Vanguard’s new IT Divisional Learning Journey Program. And, if a training that would be beneficial to my growth becomes available, all I have to do is request permission to attend.
– Dennis P.
What advice would you share with prospective candidates who are interested in a career in IT?
I would say be prepared to put a lot of time and effort into the learning process and minimize distractions while you are learning to code. In addition to coding bootcamps like Tech Elevator, there are a ton of free resources you can find online, including Free Code Camp and Codecademy. YouTube is an excellent resource as well, as you can find a great explanation for almost any concept. Also, be patient, as there is a lot to learn.
– Kevin M.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in Software Engineering, understand that companies use different tech stacks, but the general idea is the same. Pick a stack and familiarize yourself well enough that if you were hired by a company using a different stack and/or framework(s), you would be more up-to-speed and faster to contribute. Don’t compare yourself to others and remain tenacious. Whether you’re experiencing challenges learning something new or difficulties in the hiring process, it’s important to never give up.
– Dennis P.
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