Advice from crew Archives - Page 4 of 6

Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Training & education specialty programs

Tips and advice when interviewing for Financial Advisor jobs

Jun Oh’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Development Program

Day in the Life, Diversity & inclusion Financial Advisor

Exploring Advice with Vanguard’s Black Professional Network

Career opportunities, Day in the Life, Training & education

Chantee’s perspective: Vanguard’s MBA Internship Program

Day in the Life, Training & education Technology

My experience presenting at re:Invent

Advice from crew, Day in the Life Financial Advisor

An advisor’s take on the importance of genuine curiosity

Advice from crew, Culture

Tips on team dynamics from a virtual work pioneer

When working in finance isn’t only for finance majors

Whenever people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my response was always, “I want to help people live a better life.” I had grown up as a competitive dancer, and was very accident prone, which meant I spent a lot of time in physical therapy. I would watch the therapists make such strides in people’s ability to move and began to think that is what I want to be–and ultimately led to obtaining my degree in kinesiology. So how in the world did I end up in finance?

My road to Vanguard began right after college graduation, when I was having an internal battle on what I wanted to do now that I was in the “real world.” I had told myself for some time that the only way I could help people live a better life was by becoming a professional in the medical field. But a friend proved that notion wrong when they introduced me to Vanguard. To say I was hesitant to join the finance industry is an understatement. Much of my college education was focused on classes like organic chemistry and biomechanics. But my friend assured me that my passion to help people live a better life directly aligned with Vanguard’s mission. With his support along with my family, I took a giant leap of faith, and I couldn’t be happier that I did.

Curious about our Client Services career opportunities? Start here

After my first week, I began to feel a sense of calmness and knew that a life-long career with Vanguard was in my future—and then came the licensing program. I had done a bit of studying prior to starting but I had no idea how big of a milestone obtaining my Series 7 and 63 securities licenses was. The nerves quickly came back as I began rereading the 600+ page book, where many of the terms seemed like another language. While there were many moments where I questioned if I could do it, I was always met with support from my leader, coaches, trainers, and peers. I couldn’t believe that I had only been a part of Vanguard for a few weeks, and so many people were invested in my success.

Fast forward 5 years later, I am now responsible for onboarding new hires into the Retail division of Vanguard, which you could say has brought my experience full circle. As an onboarding leader I get the opportunity to be the face of Vanguard for so many new crew–helping them acclimate to our culture and supporting them through licensing and training. I am their first point of contact, starting from the day they accept their offer and also act as a resource as they prepare for their first day at Vanguard. One of my favorite aspects of my job is getting to meet my crew at the end of their first day on campus. The buildup of excitement over the months finally becomes reality and I am able to spend some time answering questions and sharing insight that can help calm their nerves— something I can certainly relate to. I then get to spend the next few months guiding them through the licensing program where I meet with my crew daily to check in on their progress, recommend study strategies, and celebrate their successes. I always tell my crew that we will be going on a journey together, and while everyone is different, they can rest easy knowing that I will do everything in my power to support them through it. I appreciate that I can use my own experiences to relate to what my crew are going through and can be their cheerleader during the ups and a shoulder to lean on for any downs.

One of the most memorable experiences I have as an onboarding leader is when my first class had their final celebration to launch into their role. This means that their time with me in licensing and training is over and they get to officially begin supporting our clients. I had spent weeks preparing what I wanted to express to them and when I got up in front of the class (tears and all) all I could do was thank them for the journey they had taken me on It’s always a bittersweet day for me as I get to witness crew moving on to their next chapter within their careers, but I am always so thankful to be a part of it.

To say I love my job is an understatement… I get to be by my crew’s side as they face these exciting challenges, learn and grow in the industry, and eventually embark on a new path as they launch into their job.

-Annsley R.

More careers blogs you may have missed

Preparing For a Vanguard Interview – Be a STAR
Do you have an interview coming up soon? Read this blog to prepare for the STAR format questions and nail your interview!

Three Experiences That Paved My Path to Vanguard
In this blog, Team Leader Rachel shares three experiences along her path to Vanguard and why she loves being a leader.

Why I Got Rid Of My Five Year Plan
Vanguard crew member Lauren reflects on why she tossed out her five year plan and instead focused on building a career within a company and industry she grew to love.

Exploring Careers in Client Services – Retail Services
Crew member David shares his perspective on career choices, teamwork, and how he contributes to Vanguard’s mission in Retail Services.

Inclusion – It’s More Than a Policy
Hear from crew about their thoughts on LGBTQ+ inclusion at Vanguard, and learn about the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index—and how we stacked up.

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12 Vanguard interview tips for experienced professionals

We sat down with five Vanguard recruiters to hear how they coach candidates through the interview process. In this blog, we share 12 ways that experienced professionals can prepare for a Vanguard interview – whether in person or over the phone.

Click to learn more about each recruiter and view their LinkedIn profile

1. What questions can applicants expect to get?

One of the most common questions you’ll hear is “tell me about yourself.” This one is tough to answer because it’s so open ended. We recommend keeping your answer to 3-5 minutes, share a couple of your strengths, what you’re working on, and what you’re learning. Practice it until you’ve got it down. It’s important to be able to demonstrate what has prompted your interest in this role. Why did you choose to apply at Vanguard? What attracted you to this position?

Teamwork is also huge at Vanguard, so expect questions around a time you worked well with a team, how you collaborate effectively, and how you motivate others and drive collaboration. Remember the key is what you did, not what the team did. If you answer every question with, “we did…” it’s tough to identify your individual impact.

2. What are the best ways for someone to prepare for those questions?

We have lots of websites and resources that will help you learn more about our company. You can check out about.vanguard.com or look at our pages on The Muse or LinkedIn. A really easy way is to watch our YouTube videos.

For teamwork-based questions, think about your specific strengths in group settings – do you offer insightful knowledge? Do you ask probing questions or challenge the team’s thinking? If you haven’t had team-based projects in the past, consider all the ways you interact with co-workers. Perhaps you encouraged someone’s idea in a team meeting. Maybe you created a tip sheet for peers when your office technology changed.

I always tell candidates to have a few situational examples ready. The most common being “Talk about a time when you had a problem/situation, what you did you do to identify and solve that problem/situation, and what was the outcome?” I think every hiring manager asks this question in some way, shape, or form. Make sure to carefully read through the job description and relate your answers to the responsibilities of the role you’re interviewing for.

Overall, consider–what are the positive results of your contributions?

3. We all know interviewing is tough, what are some insider tips you can share?

Sometimes when recruiters are quiet, the candidate may think they’re not doing well. Don’t mistake silence as disinterest and remember that your recruiter is taking notes and digesting what you’re saying.

If we ask you to give us an example of something to demonstrate your skills, know that your answers don’t have to be about a time you saved the day. It can be as simple as clearing up a miscommunication, coaching a colleague, or making a tough decision.

It’s also helpful to know that the recruiting process is much more than just the interview—it takes time behind the scenes. We may have to interview a large number of people, then we’re having conversations with hiring managers, and perhaps doing a second round of interviews. Timelines aren’t the same for every position either – some take just a few weeks, while others may take a few months. So don’t worry too much if you don’t hear anything right away.

4. What are some common slip-ups that prevent candidates from moving on?

When you answer a question, don’t add clarifiers like, “I don’t think this is a great answer,” or “This probably isn’t what you’re looking for.” Confidence is important, so don’t play down your experience.

A real deal breaker is unprofessional behavior – cursing, being impolite to the receptionist, or complaining about our security measures. And remember that an interview is a professional interaction, so be careful of using heavy slang or sloppy body language.

Showcase your talent in humble language. Although it’s probably just nerves, sometimes candidates will interrupt a lot or talk over the recruiter. That can give the impression that you don’t communicate well or aren’t courteous.

5. Is it OK for candidates to apply to multiple roles?

If the roles make sense for your skills and background, absolutely. We understand people may feel they are qualified for multiple positions, and really want to work here. Just make sure to keep organized and aware of each job you applied to by making a list of the titles and a few notes about the roles. This will help you prepare to speak about any role when a recruiter calls you.

You can also log into your talent account if you need details of the jobs. We do find it a bit concerning when we call someone for a phone screen and they can’t remember which positions they’ve applied to. During the phone screen, disclose if you’re already speaking with a leader or recruiter at Vanguard.

6. Is it frowned upon for candidates to apply to both leadership and individual contributor roles?

Not necessarily, but the things that make you stand out for each of those roles will differ. In the leadership space, we’re looking for people who are passionate about coaching and developing others, supporting their team, and helping direct reports move up. Leadership at Vanguard is about serving others. Individual contributors are still collaborative team players, but they also prove that they can make an impact independently.

7. Why do you ask about salary?

It’s really just to ensure we’re on the same page and able to match your expectations. Don’t feel you have to share your salary history, just give us a range that would work for you.

8. What advice would you give to someone who thought they did well, but then received a decline letter?

It’s one of the toughest parts of our job to have to decline someone who is really smart and talented. Certainly it can mean that you don’t have the experience or skills we’re looking for, but there are occasions when we have to decline someone awesome for another reason. In those cases, there was someone just slightly more qualified.

Do some self-reflection: do you still feel Vanguard is the place for you? If you think you met the qualifications, we would encourage you to apply again for another similar role. But still take the time to practice the interview and consider how you can make an even better impression.

9. We hear a lot about cultural fit. What does that look like at Vanguard?

First and foremost, you should believe in doing what’s right for our clients. That’s our mission and it runs deep in our culture.

At Vanguard, you’ll fit right in if you are resilient and encouraging, you can demonstrate that you’re a team player and collaborate well, and you are open to feedback and like to learn. We also want people who have grit and can dig in when things get ambiguous. It’s key that you believe in–and contribute to–an inclusive environment.

10. What if the candidate realizes at some point during the process that they’re no longer interested in the role?

There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that the role’s not a fit during the phone screen. Just the other day I had someone share that after our conversation, the role sounded more senior and he didn’t feel prepared for that level. That’s OK to say – we appreciate the candor.

11. In most cases, there will be a phone screen and in-person interview. How should candidates prepare for each?

Remember that a phone interview is a conversation, so be aware of the volume of what you share to allow the interviewer to ask follow-up questions. Be open for coaching and constructive feedback. The phone screen is just the first level, so bring your “A” game during the entire process.

Before you get to the on-campus interview, ask the recruiter what to expect during the next round, specifically the kinds of questions you should be ready to answer. Come prepared to discuss examples of your work experience and be ready to answer behavior based, or STAR formatted, questions. Review your interviewers’ profiles on LinkedIn to learn more about their background and understand more about the role prior to coming on-campus. And it may seem obvious, but arrive on time or call if you’re going to be late, dress professionally, silence your phone, and bring a pen and paper.

Feel comfortable working with the recruiter on what you’ll need to prepare for the in-person interview. I think it’s one of the most important aspects of our job as recruiters.

12. Any final advice?

Write down questions that you would like to ask the interviewer. Keep in mind that the interview starts the moment you enter the building and doesn’t end until you leave. Recruiters want to set up candidates for a successful interview so embrace the relationship and ask questions!

Most of all, take a deep breath and try to relax. Be confident and be yourself. We want you to do well!

More careers blogs you may have missed

My Story: Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis
Greg looks back at his upbringing, his early job history, and why he ultimately came to–and stayed at–Vanguard.

Remembering Vanguard’s heritage through our History Center
In this blog, we take some time to reflect on Vanguard’s past four decades with a virtual tour of our History Center and a sneak peek into our mission and business.

Solving Problems and Innovating through Data Science
Driven by Vanguard’s mission, crew member Amir shares his career journey through technology and data science in this careers blog.

Why I Love Being a Working Mom
In this blog, Schuyler discusses working at Vanguard and what happened when her baby came earlier than expected.

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Interested in our Advice career opportunities? Start your search here.

Serving in both my day job and night job

January 10, 2019/in Advice from crew, Culture, In the community career, career path, clients, college, family, financial, financial literacy, financial responsibility, job, job serving, lead a team, members, night, night job, night jobs, program, proud to represent, team, vanguard, working /by fdoerr

Serving in both my day job and night job

I come from a service-oriented family. From teachers and nurses to law enforcement and the military, my parents, grandparents, siblings, and even in-laws have all fields covered. So you can imagine how much of an oddball I was when I decided to pursue a career in finance after really enjoying my business classes in college. I had a personal dilemma of feeling like I needed to choose a career path that either put me or put others first. I graduated college in the midst of the global financial crisis, during which the reputation for most firms in the industry was at an all-time low. I pictured my future self sitting at a family dinner and talking about my day working with investments, and then hearing about family members saving lives or risking theirs for complete strangers. Talk about humbling.

Doing well while doing good

In researching companies with whom I wanted to work, Vanguard rose to the top after I spoke with a few crew members through mutual college friends. The biggest thing that struck me was the way they spoke about helping investors, genuinely putting others first, and the client and community-centered culture. I had a flashback to interviewing for another financial services firm where I was asked how many wealthy people I knew so that I could begin selling them products (Answer: Not many, and no thank you). At Vanguard, there seemed to be an opportunity to mix both ‘doing well’ in building a great career and ‘doing good’ for others through service.

My ‘day job’: Serving our clients

Fast forward eight years and Vanguard has given me the opportunity to help serve in both my ‘day’ and ‘night’ jobs. In my ‘day job’, I lead a team of investment analysts in our Personal Advisor Services group, where my team is responsible for building out the methodology used to construct and manage our clients’ portfolios. Each day, we work to solve complex issues that will ultimately impact our clients’ ability to reach their financial goals. Knowing what is riding on our success is a terrific motivating factor and our entire team is focused on the collective goal of doing the right thing for our clients.

I also get to see Vanguard’s financial advisors helping clients that need it most: those that don’t have the time, willingness, or ability to manage their money. I get to hear real stories about our crew making a difference in people’s lives by helping them achieve a goal or giving them peace of mind in volatile markets.

My ‘night job’: Serving the community

In my ‘night job’, I am a member of the leadership team for My Classroom Economy, a completely free financial literacy program that enables educators to teach children financial responsibility. The program was developed by an incredible group of volunteers, many of whom were educators prior to working at Vanguard, and has reached over 800,000 students. I lead a team focused on building partnerships at the state and federal level, and pushing for district, county, and state-wide adoption of financial responsibility programs. Our ultimate goal is to ensure children receive the basic financial responsibility education they need, as having this skill has been proven to play such an important role in their lives.

Earlier this year, two peers and I went to Washington D.C. to meet with staff members in the Treasury Department, House, and Senate, in an effort to promote the importance of teaching financial literacy at an early age. We were frequently asked how much the program costs and, after saying it is 100% free, are asked “What’s in it for Vanguard, then?” The truth is that the program is powered completely by Vanguard volunteers, each and every one of us are driven to serve and make a positive difference in the community for no other reason than that it is the right thing to do.

If you’re currently seeking a job or choosing a career path, my advice would be don’t compromise on what is most important to you (your ‘non-negotiables’) and find a company you would be proud to represent. Doing this requires that you take the time to reflect on what you won’t compromise and do your due diligence to learn about the culture at prospective employers. My non-negotiables were working for an organization with a service mindset and for which there would be no conflict of interest between our success and our client’s success. I’m incredibly proud to represent Vanguard in both my ‘day’ and ‘night’ jobs, and I now have great stories to tell at the dinner table!

-Nick L.

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1. Tips and advice when interviewing for data & analytics jobs

5 career advice blog posts to inspire your job search

January 7, 2019/in Advice from crew ace, ace your interview, analytics, blog, common, data, data analytics, linkedin, myths, opportunities, questions, recruiter, set, star, tips, vanguard /by fdoerr

5 career advice blog posts to inspire your job search

It’s a new year, and for many that means new opportunities! If you’re ready to begin your job search or are already looking, these five blog posts can help set you up for success.

Our very own data & analytics recruiter Brian Uff reveals what he looks for in candidates, tips for recent graduates, and ways you can prepare for your interview.

2. What NOT to ask a recruiter

This careers blog gives some tips on how to bring your ‘A’ game to the interview by reviewing these questions to avoid asking the recruiter—and some great alternatives.

3. 8 tips from an IT recruiter on how to ace your interview

Are you an IT professional with an upcoming interview? Sharon H., a Vanguard IT recruiter, provides eight tips to ace your interview in this blog.

4. Debunking 5 common LinkedIn myths

Do you have a LinkedIn profile? If the answer is no, what’s holding you back? In this blog, we set the record straight and debunk five common myths about LinkedIn.

5. Preparing For A Vanguard interview – Be a STAR

At Vanguard, we almost always include behavioral questions in our interviews. Learn about answering these questions in the STAR format and nail your interview!

Make your career count—search our opportunities.

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Tips and advice when interviewing for data & analytics jobs

I started my career in recruiting 14 years ago. Over the years I’ve supported many different industries–finance/banking, technology, pharmaceutical, business services, food and beverage, healthcare–but none as challenging and unique as data & analytics.

When I first started recruiting for data science roles, it was for the pharmaceutical and tech industries. This experience opened my eyes to all the different divisions that the data & analytics job functions fall into; they span across many different parts of the business and have numerous job profiles. With so many different types of analytical profiles, I had to live and breathe analytics recruiting to effectively recruit the right people into the right roles.

I joined Vanguard in January 2016 as a senior recruiter, where I’m responsible for delivering top talent for Vanguard’s analytic and data science needs. But no matter where or for whom I recruit in this space, I’ve learned that some things are universal.

How to prepare for an interview

This is not your typical interview. In most cases, data scientists and analytical interviews will have some sort of technical testing, as well as a presentation. With many of the candidates we interview, but especially with data scientists, I like to spend some time discussing the interview preparation piece. These candidates are coming in and presenting to a team for a portion of their interview, and I find this to be the most critical part of the process. Letting candidates know that they should feel comfortable working with the recruiter on interview preparation is one of the most important aspects of my job.

One thing I like to do after we decide to bring someone in for an on-site interview is to congratulate them on making it to the next round. Making it past the phone screen is a big accomplishment and I like to build the candidate’s confidence, be a resource for questions, and share what they can expect. I take it as a personal responsibility to increase their chances by successfully communicating with and preparing them for the on-site interview. We as recruiters should know firsthand what the candidate will encounter at the interview by speaking to the hiring manager beforehand about what they want to discuss and understand. Let’s be honest, we want the candidate to land the job just as much as the candidate wants to land the job.

Vanguard data analytics

Interested in our data & analytics career opportunities? Start your search here.

“I’m looking for highly motivated individuals that can solve business problems, using machine learning, and are passionate about learning new ways of delivering value to support Vanguard’s goals.”

-Eduardo F., hiring manager

Advice for recent data & analytics graduates

The easiest way to get introduced to potential employers after graduating, or preferably before graduating, is to have your professor write you a letter of recommendation for a desired employer. In a lot of cases, schools are well connected to employers in their local areas and even nationally. In addition to typical data knowledge, you may also want to learn code, and be able to clearly communicate technical concepts. What they don’t teach in school, though, is that you need to be a generalist as well. I find that some students are boxed into using one set of tools that they’ve learned in college. I’d recommend looking into methods outside your comfort zone to add to your problem-solving tool box. Learning and practicing work from different vantage points will give you a diverse way of seeing and approaching problems. But the best advice I’d have for any data scientist would be to stay current. Employers love when they know a candidate is continuously honing their skills. There are many sites and nano degrees out there to practice and uncover knowledge gaps.

Sharing the data analytics story

So how does Vanguard reach candidates in such a competitive market? One of the most effective ways we start conversations with candidates is by sharing content that has meaning for them. For example, we’ve recently launched a data analytics page on our career site. This page showcases why our data scientists are an elite group with deep experience in diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. It shows that they solve Vanguard’s hardest, messiest questions with creative approaches and techniques. We’ve also created several videos so our crew can talk about their work, impact, and career journeys. Most importantly, they give our data scientists, engineers, analysts, a way to share a day in their lives here at Vanguard. I think they’ve got a great story to tell.

Vanguard data analytics

Brian Uff, data & analytics recruiter

Connect with me on LinkedIn

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We’re hiring! Make your career count at Vanguard.

Boots to Suits: Transitioning to the corporate world as a veteran

November 11, 2018/in Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard adoption experience, air force, care, career, corporate world, crew, experience, financial, financial advisor, financial services, know precisely, leader, mission, path to vanguard, people, retail services, served, services, vanguard, work /by fdoerr

Boots to Suits: Transitioning to the corporate world as a veteran

Recently, I was invited to be on a panel at Vanguard that focused on the experience of female veterans transitioning into the corporate world. Why did I receive this invitation, you ask? Because I’m a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, having served from 1990-1999. I left the USAF after serving in a variety of roles stateside as well as in the Middle East and Japan, and I consider those years to be my most formative as a professional.

What struck me about my fellow panelists at that event was that our respective transition experiences varied greatly. After I separated from service, I spent a short period of time as a stay-at-home parent before taking on part-time roles as an instructor of economics and later as a financial advisor. In 2011 I finally transitioned back into the workforce full-time at Vanguard. In contrast, one of the other women on the panel served as a reservist and the third went directly into the corporate world after leaving the military. Although how we all got to this company differed greatly, being a part of that event reminded me of why I feel so energized and happy to work at Vanguard.

Leadership

At Vanguard, as in the military, leaders are expected to prioritize their people. I learned very early on that if you take care of your people, they will take care of you. Vanguard does an exceptional job of prioritizing and committing resources to crew development—and the results of that focus are crystal clear to me each and every day. We push crew to embrace and take advantage of training, some of which is mandatory and a lot of which is voluntary and available on-demand. As a leader at Vanguard, I spend an enormous amount of time coaching crew, in one-on-one sessions with my direct reports, and meeting with crew in my line. Everyone has their own passions and career aspirations, but I have always believed that my first priority as a leader was to figure out how to best support each and every one of the people who report to me on a daily basis. When our crew feel supported and valued, they in turn dedicate themselves to providing our clients with a world-class experience.

Mission driven

As an Air Force officer, I came to deeply appreciate the importance of having a clear and unified mission. Vanguard stands out within the financial services industry not because we have a mission (lots of financial services companies have one), but because the mission at Vanguard is simple, clear, and applicable to each and every one of us. If you want to get a team to make progress towards a goal, every member has to know precisely where you’re going. Ideally, they also understand why you’re going there. How you get there can be different across the organization, but the final destination must be a clearly defined point on a map, whether literally or figuratively. I love working at this company because I know precisely where we’re going in the very confusing world of investments and what we are all collectively trying to do.

Responsibility

A final similarity I’ll share between the military and Vanguard is that in both cases the people doing the job feel a strong sense of responsibility to those they are serving. Every day I overhear our crew working through very challenging client situations; without fail, what strikes me is the deep sense of ownership and accountability exhibited by those I work with. The best comes out of people when they are taking care of other people. At Vanguard, we take care of our clients, and we never stop trying.

On Veterans Day this year, I am grateful for the years I served and for those with whom I served. I am also extremely grateful for the chance to work at this company, because I can honestly say that I usually leave work feeling like I made a difference. More than anything, I’m grateful to spend my days, my energy, and my intellect at a place where smart, ethical people devote themselves to achieving the Vanguard mission of giving every investor the best chance for investment success.

-Anne-Marie G.

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From Airman to crew member: Presenting the best of myself

November 7, 2018/in Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard /by fdoerr

From Airman to crew member: Presenting the best of myself

I began my working career as an Airman in the US Air Force. After serving 8 years, I recognized the strength of the core values I gained: Honesty, Integrity, and Service before Self. Those values, coupled with the foundation set during my childhood, created the woman I am today and help to drive every decision I make.

In 2003, I separated from the Air Force after determining that one of my goals of becoming an officer could not be realized due to a prerequisite change in the application process. Feeling a bit lost and unclear of the path ahead, I began the search for the next chapter of my career journey. I relocated to Charlotte, NC and was introduced to Vanguard. Shortly after, I was extended the opportunity to join the company–officially transitioning from Airman to crew member.

Joining a company with a variety of growth opportunities was an important factor for me. Fortunately at Vanguard, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally in countless ways throughout the duration of my career. Often times it has been through a job assignment which required an expanded set of skills. However, I’ve also grown by being in tune with my abilities and knowing when I needed to enhance a competency. One of those competency’s I knew I wanted to gain more knowledge on—and be more effective at—was communication.

I always knew how critical it was to be an effective communicator, but also knew I wanted to become stronger in this area. To that end, last year I signed up for our internal Toastmasters club. While I was reluctant, I knew that only positive results could arise from the experience. Since becoming a member, I’ve become more comfortable with speaking in public settings, more confident in presenting ideas, more assured to share input. For example, I’ve agreed to take on key roles in events such as moderating a Fireside Chat (or Meeting with the North Carolina Leadership team and) with our Chief Human Resources Officer at Vanguard, and on a more personal front I recently served as the master of ceremonies and also a presenter during a women’s conference at church.

To shift gears to written communication, a few years ago I sought out a class on the topic of business communication. While I walked away with many tips, I regularly leverage a couple best practices for communication via email specifically.

Balance when to leverage email vs phone. For example: if the email will take more than three exchanges, make a phone call.
Keep information succinct to capture the reader’s attention. For example: if the reader has to scroll down the email to obtain all of the written content, chances are: the email is not succinct enough. Make it a goal to ‘eliminate the scroll’.

There are situations when a more thorough communication is relevant (perhaps in written form and/or planning for a presentation). In those instances, it’s important to find the right mix of information to share and I like to use the “5 W’s + How” as my template:

Who is my audience
What does my audience need to know
When is the decision needed, the change occurring etc.
Where is the impact if applicable
Why is the change or recommendation needed and
How will the plan be implemented

These steps have helped me to keep messaging as concise as possible while sharing what the audience really needs to know.

In closing, I share my complete gratitude to be part of an organization who truly cares about our Clients, our Crew, and our Communities. I feel honored that Vanguard cares enough about our crew to support and encourage continued development. I was proud to serve our country and I’m equally proud to serve our shareholders.

-Dru J.

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