Employee: Content: ’24 Tips For Those Looking For a New Role in the New Year
January is the most common month for someone to change jobs. This stems from a number of factors such as:
- New Year’s Resolutions and taking time during holiday breaks for year end reflection.
- Performance reviews and bonuses
- Budgets and Hiring Cycles
Here are 24 tips or questions to be asking yourself if you plan on a looking for a new role!
- What would cause you to stay in the same role with the same firm?
- If you have changed companies frequently- understanding why is that? What needs to change in your due diligence or process when evaluating opportunities?
- What should the planning philosophy and offerings be of your next firm?
- Where does the majority of “revenue” need to be generated from in your next firm? This may be the better question to ask versus simply saying a “structure” (Fee only RIA, wire house, IBD, etc.)
- Do you want to be in a more corporate structure or at the practice level?
- What are your expectations around compensation?
- Does compensation expectations change if there are some remote days?
- Ensuring your investment licenses or credentials can follow you if important.
- If you are in the middle of an educational program paid for by your employer what would you be forfeiting? Also being sure to ask future employers if they will help you continue the program.
- Understanding any non competes, garden leaves or other parameters of your current contract.
- Get feedback on your resume from another person in the industry or a coach. Be sure to HIGHLIGHT investment and planning software and programs you have expertise in.
- Standout with a 2 minute introduction video of who you are and what you are trying to accomplish.
- If you have any issues on BROKERCHECK, writing a statement of explanation letter to have ready to go to hit it head on.
- What are you looking for in your supervisor or mentor?
- Put together a brief portfolio of your professional and personal accomplishments/passions to share as a differentiator.
- If you designed financial plans, do you have a redacted sample you can show a potential employer or a case study on how you investment, tax, retirement advice helped a client.
- Be prepared to clearly and concisely articulate why you are considering making a change.
- Reach out to your network and/or mentors for feedback on how to approach your search and determine if they can help make any connections.
- Leverage industry resources, podcasts, and publications to conduct research and gain perspective.
- How small is too small? Smaller independent practices may require you to wear multiple hats at times…are you willing to do so, or do you want to be more narrowly focused?
- Practice your interview approach, especially if it’s been a while! (We can help with this!)
- If you are having a difficult time finding a role by scrolling on job boards and going to your connection then consider, reaching out to a wealth management search firm (we know one!).
- Treat any virtual interviews as if they are in person and be in a professional/quiet environment.
- Stay connected to any interviewer in the industry even if you do not want the current position or you were deselected.