Pros
- Time flexibility. Can’t emphasize how nice it is to not have to ask permission to handle personal matters or take time off. It ultimately only hurts you, so manage it appropriately, but if you’re a self starter the flexibility is incredible. - Ownership of your own success/failure. You’re basically building your own business. This is NOT for everyone. - Income upside unlimited. If you work hard you can make as much as you want. - Not your typical desk/ office job! Lots of time out of office meeting with clients, running seminars, work remote etc. - School system gives you access to target market - Lots of older experienced advisors and management if you need help. - people facing. Gives ability to really get to know people (and help them!). Feels like you’re making a difference. - Solid training even if you have no background in finance. Will help you get your licenses, SIE, Life/Health, Series 7, Series 66. - I love the office culture. Feeling of being in it together to some extent. People are great, very helpful, big on teamwork.
Cons
- Long hours. It’s not a 9-5. It could be, but if you want to be successful expect some longer days at the beginning. Some of the more experienced advisors don’t work Fridays at all. - Compensation is hard to understand. Some things count as PCs (production credits) and some things don’t even when you are still being paid. Not always clear. - inconsistent income. Some huge pay-days, some months where you make very little. There are some people that come in and make significant money year 1. They are not in the majority. You might work 60/hrs a week to make 50k at the beginning. - Client acquisition is really difficult. No punches pulled. You may have to do some cold calling if you don’t have other targets. There are days where you can feel very down. It’s an emotional roller coaster before you get stabilized, which will take at least a few months if you’re good at it. -Some trainings feel redundant or unnecessary. The national corporate calls are not the best. - Mandatory Saturday trainings 1-2x/month, I hate these very much. I don’t mind working on Saturdays, I just don’t find these trainings to be helpful. - Your manager will have a huge effect on how successful you are in the beginning and not all managers are created equal. This is not a knock on the individual managers, but everyone seems to have different styles which will change how young advisors develop. - Can be kind of salesy. Some advisors seem more interested in commissions on life and annuities than anything else. - Understanding actual internal systems is hard.