You are looking for a new financial analyst or financial advisor, but you want to make sure that you hire the perfect candidate. Below, we have compiled a list of 15 of the best interview questions for advisors and analysts. We have included interview questions from BestCompanieTexas most successful companies. You are sure to find the best candidate for your company if you utilize these interview questions!

1. What is your process in a sales conversation?

The success of an advisor or analysts is influenced by their ability to create new clients. For companies like Charles Schwab, this interview question is vital to their decision making because it determines if a candidate is equipped to grow their client base.

2. How would you direct a conversation with a customer that has never worked with a financial advisor or analyst before?

Companies draw in new clients every day. Many clients have never worked with a financial advisor before, making them unsure of where to begin and curious about what the client-advisor relationship is like. At Ryan, LLC., a candidate’s ability to answer this interview question is an important indicator of a his or her communication skills.

3. Please share about a time or situation where you established trust with a customer. How did you go about establishing trust?

Handing your financial information off to a financial advisor can be scary. Establishing a trusting relationship with a client is essential in maintaining and growing your client base. Employers should look for candidates that can confidently answer this interview question.

4. Tell us about a time you cross sold?

Within large companies like Charles Schwab, many different products and services are available to potential customers. A candidate that has experience in cross-selling is a great asset to a team because they can capitalize on their company’s offerings.

5. Have you ever worked with a client who had a negative experience and turned it into a positive experience? If so, share your process.

Unhappy customers are unavoidable. No matter how successful or popular your services are, there will always be customers who are unsatisfied. This is a popular interview question for companies with large client bases, such as USAA. A financial advisor or analyst should always be prepared to change a negative experience into a positive one.

6. If you had $1 million dollars to invest in a company, what are some key things you would consider?

Financial advisors and analysts will work with many clients that are looking to invest. Candidates should be educated on investments and stocks. When applying to large financial firms in the likes of Ryan, LLC., and Charles Schwab, candidates should be able to answer this interview question with ease.

7. What is the difference between an ETF and mutual fund?

It is essential that candidates are educated on financial components. Questions that give insight into a candidate’s financial knowledge are important for companies that specialize in financial services, such as Vanguard.

8. How would you handle finding a discrepancy in details?

A discrepancy in details can happen one of two ways: purposely or accidentally. Working with numbers and figures can often lead to mistakes, so it is important to ask about the candidate’s process of addressing and analyzing these types of errors.

9. What are key factors financial analysts should consider when evaluating prospective investments?

This question is important when hiring a potential analyst or advisor because it assesses the candidate’s financial analysis skills. The candidate’s knowledge on the financial analysis process can be determined through their answer to this question.

10. Which statements on the balance sheet would you reference to assess assets and liabilities? Why?

Financial analysts and advisors must have a vast knowledge on finances and balance sheets. Clients will rely on your candidate to provide insight and advice. The candidate’s analytical and decision-making skills will shine through based on their answer to this interview question.

11. What is net present value and future value. How do you use them?

The goals of investing or purchasing stock are to increase the monetary value of the money being invested. To determine the present value of the investment or stock, a financial advisor must calculate the present value and future value. An educated candidate can not only answer this question, but also explain the importance of these calculations.

12. If you had to make a lending decision based on one part or type of accounting statement, which would it be?

Knowledge of balance sheets and accounting statements is essential in the daily tasks of a financial advisor or analyst. Decisions based on the accounting statement should be made easily.

13. How would you go about creating a client base from scratch?

Often times, financial advisors are responsible for creating for own client base. Whether it be through personal communication or going into the community, gaining new customers is essential to an advisor’s success. A candidate with a plan of action to build their client base shows that they have the ability to drive and succeed  amongst obstacles.

14. What would you say to a client that is fearful of the current economy?

In the world of finances and business, it is no secret that the economy is constantly in flux. Often, clients with investments or stocks become fearful of their financial stability. The answer to this question provides insight on the candidate’s ability to resolve conflicts and build trust with clients.

15. What does success look like to you?

Successful companies often attract employees with an intrinsic drive to excel personally and professionally. A desire to succeed leads to greater employee engagement and customer loyalty. The candidate’s answer to this question is a great indicator of how the candidate will fit into your company’s culture.

At BestCompaniesTexas, we help some of Texas’ best employers attract top talent! If you’re looking to step up your recruitment game, here’s a look at how we can help.

By Luz Beam, Administrative Support Associate at Charles Schwab.

Being part of and caring for my community has never been extracurricular for me.  It was the norm in my family.  My parents fostered a helping hand environment and my siblings and I were involved in not only organized goodwill events, but also in random and frequent acts of impromptu community service. I’m inspired by the lessons taught to me by my parents and their devotion to the community in which they lived.  They taught me to instill happiness in others and to pass on what you can, be it a dollar, a donation, a helping hand or even just a smile.  My inspiration stems from passing on those lessons to my children as my parents did to me so that we can continue the cycle of helping those in need.  I was taught to be the change I wanted to see in the world.  Partnering with Schwab to help our community see that change is why I am a proud Schwabbie.

Prior to coming to Schwab, I felt something missing at my previous places of employment. Because community involvement was so important to me, I wanted to feel that connection with my day to day work and my personal passions.  As I introduced community service to these work places, it always seemed like a foreign concept.  While co-workers and businesses were eager to get involved, there was no action.  I found that many businesses liked the idea of their name being promoted but left planning and details to one lone person to figure out.  Ideas were sparse and I’d plan events after work in between dinner and homework.  I was always happy to do it but I never realized how much working in a supportive environment with like-minded people would change how much one can impact their community.

Schwab allots eight hours of paid work time per year for volunteering or community service.  But that’s just the beginning!  There is always something in the works and on the schedule at Schwab.  We schedule time to organize and plan events.  We brainstorm on how to make our community better.  We talk to non-profit organizations and find how we can help.  We identify events around the city and insert Schwab volunteers as needed.  Best of all, we reach out to our employees to find out what their passions are.  We align people with what they love and let them bring some of that into the work place.  We get a place to share what’s near and dear to our hearts and the fact that a company can identify how important that is to me, makes me realize how much I’m appreciated.

When one can align what they are most passionate about with a job they love, find work/life balance and have a corporation behind you every step of the way, this is without a doubt the place where I belong.  I’ve just completed 14 years and in the time I’ve been with Schwab, I find that when talking about volunteering efforts, I always note that I am no longer alone on this journey to make my community a better place.  What I found at Schwab is a “we” mentality and an organization that truly cares about the communities in which it resides.  We are more than words, we are action!

To learn more about #SchwabLife, click here.

0518-8USR

In April’s webinar, Winning the War on Talent: Recruitment, recruitment professionals discussed a variety of topics. Speakers Michael Seaver, Lindsay Smith, and Denise Gredler shared their expertise on topics such as recruitment trends, data from azcentral.com’s Top Companies to Work award, Arizona’s Most Admired Companies Award, and innovations in client interactions learned through 15+ years of serving the community.

Through a live poll we learned that webinar attendees struggled with finding finding qualified candidates. We uncovered that attendees were heavily reliant on job boards to find talent, such as Simply Hired, Indeed, and LinkedIn.

To begin the webinar, Michael Seaver, a professional in leadership consulting, discussed workforce demographics and their influence on talent acquisition. He analyzed the similarities and differences between the varying generations that exist in the workplace. Seaver shared studies from reputable institutions regarding the influence of a diverse workforce on a company’s employee retention, culture, financial performance and recruitment.

The webinar’s live poll showed that many webinar attendees were not finding success in employing an employer brand or talent CRM. But, attendees were successful in implementing detailed career pages and job descriptions. Many attendees shared that they were sourcing proactively.

Seaver’s discourse was followed by a discussion led by Lindsay M. Smith. Smith, the Vice President of Brand Evangelism for BestCompaniesAZ, gave insight on the shortcomings of traditional interviewing processes. She shared about the value of non-traditional interviewing approaches like in-job auditions, events, casual interviews and virtual reality. Smith reviewed how human resources teams can use big data when recruiting. More so, she discussed the best practices for the creation and use of a talent CRM. To conclude her discussion, Smith reviewed the importance of being transparent when sharing employee stories and sharing about your organization’s culture.

In addition, Seaver and BestCompaniesAZ CEO, Denise Gredler, talked about BestCompaniesAZ’s involvement with the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona award. Gredler shared about interesting recruitment trends. She also shared about what it takes for companies to make the list of Top Companies to Work For. Seaver and Gredler concluded with a discussion on what successful companies are doing to retain employees and recruit talent.

Since the start of our company, BestCompaniesUSA has learned many valuable lessons while consulting on recruitment topics and building employer brands. These lessons include:

• Often times, the commitment to a process is more important than the outcomes
• When you expand your employee referral program you are likely to draw in a larger number of quality applicants
• Never underestimate the value of creative branding
• Your recruiters are a valuable asset- invest in your recruiters’ skill development
• Utilize your talent CRM to build community and share culture

We know our webinar attendees aren’t alone in their desire to master recruitment. They were interested in implementing more creative and defined recruitment efforts, but failed to implement successful recruitment activities. More so, they needed more guidance on how to recruit in new places. If you relate to the struggles that face our webinar attendees, watch this webinar on our Youtube channel or listen to our podcast. This webinar could be just the thing you need to spark your recruitment efforts!

To register for upcoming webinars, visit us here.

Story written and provided by Gloria Martinez, founder of WomenLed.org.

While the number of women in leadership positions is growing, only 4 percent of Fortune 500 companies are run by women. And it’s not because women are underperforming — in fact, one study of female entrepreneurs found that women had to consistently outperform their male peers to secure funding.

Women face added challenges because they must balance being attractive, but not “sexy;” direct, but not “bossy;” and assertive, but not “aggressive.” They must be calm and patient in situations where a man’s frustration would be accepted as normal, and they have to advocate for themselves while simultaneously appealing to the notion of women as collaborative. And despite all the extra effort women have to make in order to be taken seriously, they still consistently earn fewer promotions and lower wages than their male counterparts.

So, how is a young woman supposed to crack the glass ceiling, let alone break it?

Don’t be passive and hope your talents and efforts are noticed, or expect opportunities to drop in your lap. Make a plan with SMART goals for how you want to progress in your career, make your achievements known, and ask for raises and promotions. Don’t expect them to be handed to you. Come armed with examples of your successes, and be prepared to demonstrate why you deserve recognition.

Build your personal brand. Having a strong image within your industry helps you build authority and name recognition and expand your professional network. Write and pitch articles to respected publications, participate in interviews and speaking engagements, and build an online presence that reflects your knowledge, professionalism, and values.

Develop a support network. Surround yourself with other women making professional headway, and spend time sharing strategies for success. Network with women in your field and supportive men in your workplace who can endorse your work.

Keep learning. Marketing in the digital age is an ever-changing field. Stay up on the latest in big data and social media, always be experimenting with new channels for reaching consumers, and make sure you can effectively translate data into strategy so you can sell your ideas to management.

Take risks. This is especially important in marketing, where innovation is the hallmark of success. As a young woman, you’re especially well-poised to identify new strategies because you’re a member of one of the biggest marketing demographics. Be creative and let experiences from your personal life inform your business strategies, and don’t give up at the first “no.” If you believe in your brainchild but your company’s leadership isn’t on board, don’t be afraid to pitch your ideas elsewhere.

No matter what you do, believe in yourself and your skills. Instead of letting unfair pushback get you down, use it as motivation to work that much harder for your goals. Trust your instincts and don’t lose sight of the end game — and most of all, never let your gender become a reason to settle.

Imagine four weeks after graduating from college you are walking into your first day at a 16,000 employee company, your desk, hardware and peripherals are all set up and personalized for you. During your first nine-months, you spend 15% of your time on training and development to equip you with the skills and technologies required. The rest of your time is spent working on real products and features. You are part of a cohort of other recent graduates and there is a support team focused on your success. You have the opportunity to sit at the same table with senior leadership, hear what they do and why it’s important. You can ask them questions. Imagine being exposed to all the company’s products and services so you have a deeper understanding of your role and why it’s so important.

In 2017, with support from the Chief Technology Officer and senior leadership, Charles Schwab’s Technology Services organization started a unique program called the New Employee Recruitment & Development (NERD) Program. This program is different from other onboarding programs in the industry because it’s focused on the employee experience and equipping them with the technologies needed to succeed. The goal of the program is to ensure that the transition from college to work is as smooth as possible. Upon graduation from the program, NERDs will be productive, contributing members of their team on day one.

What’s in it for the NERDs?

The nine month program hires new college graduates and gives them personalized onboarding, extensive training & development on technologies and soft-skills required to be successful. NERDs have a host manager, a mentor, a buddy, a coach and others that are dedicated to their success. NERDs get hands on experiences to make them an innovative and successful techie at Schwab.

Who should apply?

The NERD program is currently offered at Schwab’s DFW/Westlake and Austin campuses.  This exclusive program may be just the ticket for very recent graduates looking to jumpstart their career in technology.

You should apply If you:

• Enjoy leading-edge technologies such as micro services, cloud computing, AI, and big data.
• Like the challenge of identifying and solving new, unique problems.
• Want to be part of a fast-paced career development program using real-world leading edge products.

To learn more about Charles Schwab’s NERD program and see if it may be the perfect fit for you and your career goals, click here.

After input from more than 28,000 employees, 50 companies emerged as as a best place to work  in Texas for 2018. This honorable distinction was granted by Fortune’s Great Place to Work Institute.

The companies on the list represented a variety of industries, from retail and construction, to healthcare, professional services, and everything in between. The rankings were primarily driven by employee feedback and companies were chosen based on their ability to consistently create a great place to work for all affiliated employees.

Firms headquartered in Dallas peppered the list, confirming the increasingly well-known fact that Dallas is a great city to work in! When it comes to “going big or going home,” Dallas goes big, offering a cornucopia of great companies, finger-licking food, and unforgettable experiences.

Here’s a look at the Dallas-based companies that made the list:

Encompass Home Health

Encompass Home Health was ranked eighth out of of 30 incredible workplaces in Texas in the large companies category. The company, which is a Medicare certified home health and hospice company, provides speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and skilled nursing services.

Employers can set their own daily work schedules and get 6 weeks of paid vacation each year. Talk about flexibility! The company also reimburses employees for certain advanced certifications and degrees through its Encompass Scholars Program.

Ryan, LLC

Global tax services and software provider Ryan, LLC came in 25th on the Best Workplaces in Texas 2018 list! It’s no surprise that the company is among the best companies to work for. Employees receive a 4-week paid sabbatical after 5 years with the company.

Additionally, myRyan, the company’s award-winning flexible work program allows employees to work wherever and whenever they want. People who work at Ryan also receive parental benefits, tuition reimbursement, and paid volunteer hours.

Pariveda Solutions  

Pariveda Solutions, a technology strategy and solutions firm, took home the 3rd place spot out of the 20 Best Workplaces in Texas in the small companies category. Employees at Pariveda have access to a valuable mentorship program and receive a 8 week sabbatical after 5 years with the company. A culture of community service flows through the company’s culture, encouraging employees to give back to the community in a variety of ways.

City Credit Union

City Credit Union landed the 17th spot among the 20 small companies on the Best Workplaces in Texas 2018 list! The credit union serves four counties in the Dallas Fort Worth Area and has grown to be one of the largest local credit unions in the area.

Employees receive excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Additionally, 93% of employees surveyed reported feeling good about the ways the company invests in itself!

Connectrac

Connectrac, a cable management company, was ranked 19th out of 20 small companies on the Best Workplaces in Texas 2018 list. Employees can roll their PRO hours over from year to year, and accrue up to 4 weeks of banked PTO hours.

The company also embraces celebration, hosting a number of parties and events throughout the year. Employees can expect miscellaneous and unannounced celebrations too! In past years, Connectrac has celebrated National Macaron Day, National Root Beer Float Day, National Wine Day and National Beer Day.

If you’re interested in learning more about great companies to work for in Texas, check out this list of incredible Texas employers. Then, browse through open positions at the companies to find the perfect fit for you!

Have you been following our webinar series? In February, we hosted an inspiring webinar about The Importance of Employer Branding. Denise Gredler, BestCompaniesUSA’s CEO and Founder and Lindsay M. Smith, BestCompaniesUSA’s VP of Brand Evangelism led the conversation, giving insightful and detailed answers to so many common questions about employer branding.

For one, what is employer branding? Why does it matter? How does it benefit companies?

Denise and Lindsay tackled these questions with expertise and charm! They shared their definition of employer branding, explained why it’s important, and highlighted the return on investment companies see when they intentionally create a branding plan.

Why Employer Branding Matters

Employer branding involves so much more than making statements about what your company stands for. Building a great employer brand involves thinking strategically and reflecting on what you want your company to represent in the minds of the community and potential job applicants.

Companies with strong, positive employer brands have been shown to perform better in the stock market. These companies don’t just establish themselves as great places to work. They also position themselves as leaders in the marketplace, sparking attention from investors, potential employees, and potential customers alike!

You may still be asking yourself, does it really matter?

The answer is yes. Companies that have won awards for being great places to work, such as the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona distinction and the Most Admired Companies award, have much more engaged workforces.

On average, around 30%of employees are engaged, or happy, at work in the United States workforce, according to a 2017 Gallup report on workplace engagement. However, 92% of employees at companies that have won the Top Companies to Work for in Arizona reported being happy and engaged at work.

Investing in creating a great place to work and showcasing that to the world through your brand increases employee engagement and productivity across the board. It’s worth it.

Webinar Highlights – Five Best Moments in the Episode

The webinar was jam-packed with tips, knowledge, and motivation for employers to start thinking about proactively designing their employer brand. Here’s a look at five of the best moments.

• Denise shared a list of 10 of the best employer branding moves
• Lindsay and Denise shed light on what department in a company should be responsible for the branding strategy
• Denise gave recommendations for how companies can win awards locally, regionally, and nationally
• Lindsay and Dense discussed how to get company leadership on board with prioritizing and investing in employer branding
• Denise gave tips on the types of events to put on to showcase your company’s culture

You can hear all of this and more by listening to the podcast version of the webinar. Our Best Companies Experience also has a new home on iTunes! Stay tuned and keep up with all of our episodes on our iTunes profile here.

But, the good news and knowledge doesn’t end there. BestCompaniesUSA hosts free monthly webinars on the last Wednesday of each month that dive deep into employer branding. Click here to read about and register for our upcoming webinars!

Coworking spaces aren’t just for Silicon Valley! The trend of people and companies working collaboratively in a shared space is catching fire and spreading to communities throughout the country. Coworking spaces in Dallas have an especially unique flair about them. Creative minds, a tight-knit community and plenty of good ol’ fashioned Southern Hospitality make working in these spaces particularly enjoyable in Dallas.

There are many benefits to working from a coworking space. From receiving emotional and social support from your fellow entrepreneurs and freelancers, to avoiding the costs and responsibility that come with signing a fixed-term lease for an office space, coworking spaces offer a positive and low-risk, environment for you to grow in.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for a place to call home as you launch your business, or you’re looking for a fun place to work to break up your routine of working from home, you can find a coworking space that inspires, encourages, and motivates you to do your best work.

Take a look at these unique coworking spaces in Dallas.

Common Desk: Deep Ellum, Oak Cliff

Common Desk is a quirky coworking space with locations in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano, Texas. Members can work from any of the Common Desk spaces, and have access to shared desks, individual desks, private offices, and conference rooms. Working from a Common Desk cowering space offers more than just a place to work. The company intentionally chose locations in areas that are alternative, supportive of local businesses, and creative. This allows members to step outside and immerse themselves in some incredible food and fun, Texas style.

The Dallas Entrepreneur Center: Dallas

The Dallas Entrepreneur Center offers a coworking space for entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers, and young companies in the heart of Dallas. Members have access to mentorship programs,events, education and training, financial assistance programs, and an incredible community of bright minds. The hip, urban space comes complete with WiFi, printing services, parking, snacks, a group communication tool, a phone call room, kitchen, coffee and beer, and conference rooms. Not to mention, the office is open 24/7, so people can honor their creative bursts and work on whatever schedule they see fit.

Fort Work: Downtown Dallas

Fort Work is a cowering and event space in Downtown Dallas serving entrepreneurs, community members, freelancers, and small companies 24/7, 365 days a year. This coworking space’s motto is, “Work for Yourself, Not By Yourself.” Members have access to free coffee, tea and snacks, and can choose to rent shared desks, personal desks, or private offices.

NoD: North Dallas

NoD is a creative cowering space in North Dallas. Members have 24/7 access to the modern facilities and receive free covered parking. Other perks for members include access to high speed internet, free red bull, coffee and water, and more than 800 square feet of whiteboard space. The shared refrigerator, microwave and toaster come in handy for late nights and early mornings on the work grind.

GeniusDen Dallas: Deep Ellum

This coworking space in Deep Ellum, a historic district near Downtown Dallas, is a great space for entrepreneurial collaboration and good vibes. GeniusDen provides office space, educational workshops, and inspirational speakers for its members. In addition to offering coffee, beer, wine, speedy internet (1 GB per second to be exact), and conference rooms, GeniusDen has a colorful breakout meeting lounge and hosts rooftop networking events.

If you’re looking for coworking spaces in Dallas, you’ve hit the jackpot with these five incredible workspaces. For more information about working and living in Dallas, browse through our website and sign up for our newsletter!