Last month, we introduced our research study exploring why new financial planners enter the profession and what career path they seek when starting out. This month, we will look at the activities that they cited as the most fulfilling, what their expectations are for promotion to a lead planner role, and their view of management’s commitment to their career development. When we asked new planners what were the most fulfilling activities they did each day, Gen Y (Millennials) cited Meeting ...
Career Satisfaction Research Survey: Part 1
Earlier this year we surveyed 665 Generation Y planners and 275 Generation Z planners to get their thoughts on their career satisfaction, and what drives that satisfaction (and from the firm’s perspective, their retention!). In this anonymous survey, we hoped to gain additional insight into what we see anecdotally each day as we interview job seekers for financial planning roles across the country about what they’re really looking for that will make them “stick” with the job and firm they’re ...
How to Reduce Your Hiring Headaches Part 2
In last month’s article, we shared some of our thoughts on the 2024 labor market and hiring outlook plus a few tips on how to avoid certain frustrations when hiring new talent for your firm. This month we will conclude our two-part series with three more tips to consider when hiring. Headache #3 - ‘I can't find anyone who is good enough for my firm’ Potential headache hack - Double-check your description to make sure your expectations aren't too high. I have firm owners all the ...
How to Reduce Your Hiring Headaches Part 1
Congratulations on making it through another year and holiday season! It’s that time of year again to start planning out and making your 2024 hires. Good news is that the job market has shifted a bit more in favor of hiring firms in terms of candidate supply and movement versus the last few years. Yay, finally! We can look to the government data released this month to see that based on The December jobs report the number of jobs added was better than expected which would seem contradictory, ...
How to Show Gratitude to your Team
When was the last time you told your team that you truly appreciate them? It may come naturally for you to do so in terms of your clients, such as sending end of year thank you letters to go out to all of your clients expressing how grateful you are for them and how you wouldn’t have the business you have if it weren’t for them, etc. What about expressing the same level of gratitude for your team members? As we approach the end of the year and reflect back on what our firms have accomplished ...
When is it Time to Promote?
For growing firms, the end of a year is a time to reflect on goals and challenges from the previous year. It can also be a great time to promote people on your team who are performing exceptionally, so they can start the new year off in the right position and mindset. This month, we will look at how to identify candidates due for promotion. Here are three signs to look for: They are already taking it to the next level. This one is straightforward and can easily be evaluated by comparing ...
UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES: HOW TO PROVIDE VALUABLE INTERNSHIPS
Just as in any other industry, financial planning firm owners take on a certain degree of risk when hiring professional staff. For firms that are looking to hire, a quality intern program is a great way to try out potential employees before they sign on the dotted line for a permanent position. In addition to ‘test driving’ future employees, having interns is a good business practice because an extra set of hands to complete work and an additional set of eyes with a fresh perspective is helpful ...
STANDING OUT IN THE SEA OF MULTIPLE OFFERS
If you are seeking to hire new talent for your firm, chances are you are not the only one. When so many firms are looking to hire at once, it means other firms are going after the same (limited) talent pool, and that the most attractive candidates will likely have several offers to choose from. This month's post reveals how you can emerge as the frontrunner in a competitive situation with a potential hire without giving the farm away! Do: Make candidates a solid offer. Currently, for ...
THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR YOUR TEAM
A trend we continue to see in the hiring landscape are firms lacking clarity around who they are trying to hire. This month, I want to discuss the thought framework an owner should employ before hiring a new planner. Part of that thought process is to resist the temptation to hire an exact copy of themselves and over-emphasize the business development component and skillset. However, notwithstanding the consensus view from consultants that having a bunch of people in an organization with ...
Avoid These Mistakes So The Candidate Says ‘Yes’ To Your Hiring Offer
During the last year, if you have had a smooth interview process and made a successful hire, congratulations because many did not have the same experience. The market of available young talent continues to be very limited, and now more firms are hiring due to improving stock market conditions. Furthermore, you will probably not have as many people interested in your role as you may have had in the past. Due to the plethora of openings stemming from the growth of the profession, job ...
Quash Quiet Quitting
You have probably heard the term “Quiet Quitting” by now. It is seemingly ubiquitous when describing the labor force post-Covid. Quiet quitting, or quitting-in-place, is really a fancy name for a problem that employers have dealt with for centuries: lack of employee engagement. When team members are “quiet quitting”, they are only doing the minimum to collect their salary, and it can be disruptive to any organization by slowing growth and damaging culture. Quiet quitting can take ...
Getting a Head Start on Your Hiring
The beginning of the year into the late spring historically has been a popular time for financial planning firms to hire as firms seek to recruit college graduates graduating in May, bring on additional support for the extra work during tax season, and to service the increase in new clients starting their financial planning engagement with the firm. Even though the market has been down for the last year, we anticipate more of the same type of hiring demand this year, based on the increased ...