At financial services firm Edward Jones, promoting from within and providing the tools to succeed are the keys to the company’s recruiting and branch expansion.
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When Karen Leonard decided to become a financial advisor, she wanted to make sure she had a complete understanding of the investment world from the basics up.
Investment advisory firm Edward Jones & Co. offered Leonard that — and more.
“It was important to my career path that I had all of the skills I needed to do well, so I started as a branch office administrator in January 2002,” she said of her early days with Edward Jones. “At the same time, I was able to use the company's tuition reimbursement program to go to college part-time for my bachelor's degree.”
Leonard says the company's flexible work schedule was essential to her earning her degree, while several mentors along the way encouraged her growth and transition within the firm. In 2007, she achieved limited partner status, and in 2008 she opened her own branch office at 2 Bridge St. in New Hartford.
Leonard's story is not uncommon at financial services firm Edward Jones, where promoting from within and providing the tools to succeed are the keys to the company's recruiting and branch expansion.
“We have 65 branches and 140 associates in Connecticut,” says Jeff Burdick, Edward Jones regional leader. “Our goal is to open 50 more branch offices in the greater Hartford area.”
Burdick says the company's expansion plans offer an open door to those whose career arcs were disrupted amid shifts in the state's economic makeup.
“There is a lot of talk about companies in Greater Hartford leaving the area,'' he said. “We value those who are left behind — those who have valuable work experience but who may not have wanted to relocate with their former company.”
Burdick adds that those same workers can benefit from a shift out of the traditional corporate culture toward a more independent setup.
“We are unique in that we are a limited partnership. Once an employee has been with us for three or four years, they are invited to be an owner by buying into the company through shares,” he said. “Over time, that capital grows and can help with retirement, additional income or however they want to use it.”
To help newcomers, Edward Jones matches each with a trainer and a mentor in their local marketplace. By offering business support, combined with flexible working hours and latitude for working parents, Burdick says Edward Jones sets everyone up for success.
“We want our people to build their business, and to be successful in their communities,” he says. “So we aim to make new people successful in an effective way, as quickly as possible.”
“It's incredible to get to choose where your office will be,” says Leonard. “I love working within the community where I live because it allows me to be connected to the people I serve.”
Adding to the work-life balance is the opportunity for Edward Jones staffers to participate in community service programs, with their employer's full support.
“Our associates invest extensively in boards, Rotary Clubs, and other organizations, to give back to the communities in which we work and live,” Burdick says. “While there are some group-wide charity efforts, individual branches can decide where they want to put their community involvement efforts.”
When it comes to hiring new associates, Edward Jones prides itself on pulling from a wide variety of backgrounds, Burdick said.
“We've had advisors come on board who were teachers, workers in the insurance agency, or even right out of college,” he says. “We will bring on anyone who has demonstrated a history of exceptional work experience, regardless of age or background.”
Edward Jones has also made extra efforts to accommodate women leaders.
“Ours has traditionally been a very male-dominated business, and we are working to change that,” Burdick says. “Women like to do business with other women, and this is a huge opportunity for women to build a business within the firm.”
Leonard concurs.
“When I started here 14 years ago, there were two financial advisors who were women, and now there are so many,” says Leonard. “Edward Jones offers so much support to women, and they see the opportunity to connect in a way that makes our female clients comfortable.”
Reaching out to any age or background, promoting female leadership and giving every employee the tools needed to succeed is the Edward Jones way.
“Internally, we take a collaborative approach rather than a competitive one,” Burdick says. “There is a high level of opportunity in the industry and we want all of our people to succeed.”
Read about the other Best Places to Work in CT 2016 winners.