Fidelity Investments actively recruits talented college graduates and career changers from other industries for financial associate roles at its regional call centers where they provide customer service and investment advice to help clients live the lives they want. Fidelity offers an industry-leading training and development program that is designed to encourage employees to manage their careers and identify areas where they want to grow. It combines on-the-job training with opportunities to pursue the education they need to succeed, such as preparation for the FINRA Series 7 and 63 exams, an industry requirement to obtain a license as a registered securities representative.
While the associates working in Fidelity’s regional call centers come from a range of distinct backgrounds, everyone goes through the same training program and has access to the same career development opportunities.
Gary, an investment solutions representative working in Fidelity’s Covington call center, held a variety of jobs before coming to Fidelity. He studied nursing, worked in the mortgage department of a bank, and was a salesperson for a local heating and air-conditioning company.
Fidelity helped him prepare for the FINRA exams to obtain his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. Now he provides overall guidance on retirement accounts and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for Fidelity clients.
“It was a little difficult moving from one industry to another, but Fidelity made it very easy with the training and the time that they’ve spent with me so far, so I’m excited to be here,” Gary said.
“My previous job didn’t really have any options for me to improve myself and move forward. I thought this would be a great opportunity to have a career that would give me opportunities to grow.” he said.
Jonathan, a recent hire, sold residential real estate and premier life insurance and moved on to become an independent registered investment adviser (RIA) and financial planner before joining Fidelity’s Westlake call center as an investment solutions representative.
The training is comprehensive. He spent two weeks being introduced to all aspects of the work environment—including the tools, building layout, procedures, company culture, and investing strategies. Then he and his fellow associates spent three weeks dedicated to training specific to the role. Fidelity explained the framework that investment solutions representatives should use in communicating with customers, messages they should be listening for, common triggers, and what they should do to help customers in various situations.
“They paid me for training; they paid me for my [Series 7] license and education,” Jonathan said. “There are a lot of firms out there that won’t do that – they’ll expect you to do it on your own time and on your own dime.” As a result, Jonathan has recommended Fidelity as an employer to both friends and acquaintances.
Many long-time employees say that they have stayed with Fidelity because of the opportunities for dedicated associates to move up the ladder within the organization.
Tracy, a Merrimack, N.H.-based employee with sales experience, started out as a representative answering phones in the call center. She has served in various roles over 15 years at the company, and now manages a 14-person retirement relationship team.
“It wasn’t my big plan to come into finance, but at the time, it was the right opportunity for me. And now, 15 years later, it’s been a wonderful place for me to grow my career.”
Fidelity gives employees the training they need in order to be successful throughout their career. Tracy added, “If you’re somebody that has the aptitude, gains the skill, and then has the passion, you’ll be very successful at Fidelity Investments.”