If you’re a Client Service Associate seeking a new opportunity, be prepared to have a discussion around your career path and share examples of how you have served clients and created capacity.
Eddy Ricci, Jr., CFP ®, CEPA ®: Some firms have created clear paths for Client Service Associates (CSAs) to become advisors. Other firms may cringe when someone is interviewing for a CSA role and share, they wish to be an advisor. This is often because they feel the candidate would look to leave the firm if the advisor path didn’t materialize fast enough. If you are interviewing for a CSA position but wish to eventually be an advisor, ask the firm if they have examples of how past CSA’s have evolved in (or out) of the firm. And it is fair game to ask the question, “when I do this role very well for two years, what would be the career options?”
Michael P. Connaughton, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®: Client Service Associates often have varying levels of responsibility from firm to firm. As a candidate if there are areas of the wealth management business that most interest you, clearly articulate them in the interview process. This will lead to a career path discussion with the hiring firm and demonstrate your knowledge base and skill set as a candidate. Also be armed with the ways you have served clients, highlighting your responsiveness and problem-solving ability. Often a CSA is the first line of communication with clients and explaining how you have and how you will provide time leverage for others in the hiring practice will resonate with the interviewer.