What NOT to ask a Recruiter
Recruiters love hiring candidates into their dream jobs and roles they strongly desire. When you speak with a recruiter, make sure to consider how the recruiter may react to your communication with them. Sell yourself. Show your enthusiasm. Recruiters are very perceptive and will take note of anything you share, so do not take the initial conversation lightly. They are great resources for the company you are targeting but they are also the “gatekeepers”; a company’s link between you and the hiring manager. The questions you ask can say a lot about you as a candidate. Make sure your questions are thoughtful, genuine, and show that you have done a little research on the role you are targeting. Here are some suggestions on the best questions to ask—and a few to avoid.
“What does your company do?”
Never speak with a recruiter without having some idea about what their company does. There is no greater turn-off to a recruiter than for you to know nothing about their company, and no greater compliment than for you to know a few interesting facts. These days you can find interesting tidbits from a quick internet search, or you can be a real superstar and watch a few of the company’s videos. Watching the company’s employees by video is a great way to develop engaging questions for your interview. Or bring up an interesting fact you learned from recent news and ask the recruiter to share their opinion.
“Is there anything I should have asked and didn’t?”
Under no circumstances should you ever ask this one. Always, always, always prepare thoughtful questions for the end of your interview. When you have no questions, the recruiter assumes you are not interested in the opportunity or that you are unable to think strategically. Instead, ask if there is anything more you should know. Never end an interview without a question for your interviewer.
“How many vacation days would I receive?”
Try not to ask questions that can be answered by visiting the company’s career site. Make sure to conduct proper research and maybe even teach the recruiter a thing or two. Instead, read blogs, watch videos, read corporate news, look at company reviews on employer review sites, and connect with alumni from your school, or other company employees on LinkedIn.
“What do you like about your job?”
This isn’t a terrible question, but unless you are interviewing for a job in Human Resources, our answer may not help you at all. As an alternative, ask what they like about the company and uncover information that will help you to make a better decision against other offers. Remember when I suggested that you connect with other employees with similar interests? Well, that is a great question for your connections.
“How did I do in the interview?”
Never ask this question. Recruiters need time to reflect on their conversation with you or take time to speak with the hiring manger. In the moment we will not be able to share feedback with you. Instead, proceed with your own process of reflection. Follow up with a thank you note which can even include any additional points you failed to mention in the conversation.
Interviews are scary for most people, but remember that your recruiter is human, too. They are trying to fill a position (or many positions) so they always want you to do well. Keep in mind that if you do not receive the role, do not take it personally. There may be limited positions or other candidates were a better fit for some reason. Your professionalism throughout the process will make you a great candidate for another position in the future!
-Kassie H.
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Four Unexpected Things I Love about Working in Investment Management
Last summer, after working in various “business” roles across Vanguard, I, nervously, pursued an opportunity to work in Vanguard’s Fixed Income Group as a trader. I had always been interested in investments—that interest was what brought me to Vanguard and led me to pursue the CFA® designation earlier in my career. However, the only investments I had actually managed were what was in my retirement account (and admittedly I managed those somewhat sporadically). I was excited by the prospect of turning my academic interest into a career. While nervous about the learning curve, I had high expectations for the role. I expected my favorite aspect of the job to be the learning; to love the challenge; to enjoy being more in tune with the markets and what’s going on in the world. And after a year, I can confidently report that all of these expectations have been met; I have enjoyed these aspects of the job. But some of my favorite parts about my role as a trader are things I did not expect:
The collaborative process
Looking back it seems silly, but when I pictured a successful trader before I worked in investment management, I envisioned someone who could quickly comprehend what was going on in the market and then swiftly, and independently, act on it. I completely underestimated the collaboration that occurs on the trading floor. I frequently see expert traders and strategists, often with decades of experience, approaching a colleague to run an idea by them or ask their opinion. In fact, some of the most senior and successful traders are the ones who do this the most often.
Infectious passion
Spend a few hours in Vanguard’s Fixed Income Group and you will quickly realize you’re surrounded by people that LOVE their jobs. You can hear it in the way they talk, and, fortunately for me, the way they teach. The excitement and inherent interest when you bring a group of passionate people together begets further interest when questions are raised and opinions debated.
Diverse backgrounds of my coworkers
You may be noticing a trend of faulty expectations on my part… but I thought the typical career path was study finance à work in an investment support function à move into front office trading. I love that, again, I was wrong and that there is no typical career path. I work with former consultants, aerospace engineers, accountants, computer science PhDs, English majors, and self-taught coders. It seems obvious now but diverse backgrounds yield diverse thought which is what makes a great investment team.
Tangible impact on clients
Perhaps I should have expected this but my favorite aspect about my job is the tangibility of the impact we have on clients. It’s a great honor and great responsibility to manage our clients’ money. I’ve been fortunate to have experienced that impact in all of my roles at Vanguard but never has the impact been as tangible as it is as a trader. It’s incredibly rewarding to measure the impact you have in helping clients progress towards their goals.
A year ago, I thought the trading floor was an intimidating place. Now I think it’s an incredible place to learn and have an impact while working with some of the most passionate people I’ve encountered.
-Molly C.
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Why I value Vanguard’s reputation and investment approach as an advisor
I started my career at Vanguard just a few months after graduating from Penn State. I didn’t know what to expect in the short or long-term, but I knew that I had a great opportunity before me. Vanguard, and our pioneer founder John Bogle, had and still have a stellar reputation as a place to invest and as a place to work. The feedback is consistent whenever I talk to people about where I work, and it started as soon as I got the job offer. I was hearing “That’s where I have my accounts!” and “I know someone who works there, and they love it!” It didn’t take long for me to realize that the success of the company and our reputation are well-deserved, as every focus is to do what’s right for our clients. This didn’t change, of course, as my career progressed. With additional responsibility came a greater level of care and attention to detail. As a financial advisor now, I use a measured and practical investment approach to help my clients reach their goals. We focus on controlling risk, as well as keeping investment costs and taxation to a minimum. Controlling risk and tax efficiency is practiced by advisors anywhere—but where Vanguard aims to set the bar is at cost management. It has been at Vanguard’s core from the beginning, when the aforementioned John Bogle founded the company with the goal of treating investors fairly.
These Vanguard advantages are so powerful for me as an advisor. I can focus on getting to know my clients and pairing them with the right solution without any second-guessing. This is the ideal climate for a trusting relationship—one that will survive through good times and bad. It seems like everyone is bracing themselves for the next correction or bear market, investors and advisors alike. Only the trusted advisor will maintain their clients’ confidence through turmoil, and I look forward to the challenge knowing that we have a rock-solid foundation.
In the meantime, I’m doing what I love. I’m helping people. As financial professionals, we may not realize how stressful finances can be when you don’t have a plan. You could argue that we’re as important to someone as their primary care physician or their psychologist, and that gives me tremendous satisfaction. And to be able to do it at Vanguard—it doesn’t get any better than that.
-Vahan T.
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8 tips from an IT recruiter on how to ace your interview
Sharon is an IT recruiter with 10+ years of experience recruiting talent for a vast array of IT positions, including Developers, Project Managers, AI/ML Engineers, Architects, Technical Leads, and Systems Administrators. In this blog, she shares tips on how to standout in an interview and make a lasting, positive impression.
1. Research the company using more than just their career site. Utilize career search sites such as The Muse and LinkedIn to read blogs, watch employee videos, and get up-to-date on company news. This will convey to your recruiter that you are interested and have done your homework. It can also help you determine if the company is really a fit and can help ideate questions for your interview.
2. Develop a strong LinkedIn profile. Connect with others in the industry, and find employees that work on the team you are targeting. Research has found that up to 97% of recruiters and employers use LinkedIn to discover talent. LinkedIn is also the ultimate personal branding tool.
3. If you have a technology listed on your resume be ready to discuss your experience. Recruiters want to hear examples that show you are proficient and meet the requirements of the role.
4. Provide a portfolio and relevant certifications. This will give a clear illustration of your experience and quality of work.
5. Display your enthusiasm and passion for the role. We are interviewing multiple individuals, often with similar experience and skills, and we want to hire someone who truly wants to bring value.
6. Maintain professionalism and be confident. Avoid filler words such as “um”, “like”, “kind of”, and “you know”. For in-person interviews, make a great first impression with neat attire and offer a strong handshake to everyone you meet. Keep electronics off and tucked away.
7. Send a thank you note to those involved in your interview process. An email is nice, but a hand written note goes a long way! Ask the coordinator for contact information or the manager at the end of the interview.
8. Keep in mind the interview starts the moment you enter the building and doesn’t end until you leave. You never know who you will encounter in the elevator or lobby.
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3 tips from my midlife start at Vanguard
Are you ready to return to work after being a full time parent or caregiver? Or are you looking for a new career? Do you like to help people? If you answered yes, then please listen to my story about my midlife start at Vanguard. I joined Vanguard 10 years ago, and had been a full time mom and part time worker and volunteer before that. Joining Vanguard was a big jump for me, but the time was right for this move—my kids were approaching high school and their school days were longer, so I had the time. Although I was ready, I was still scared.
Don’t be afraid of…the exams
I interviewed for a few positions after applying online and interestingly enough, the one that most appealed to me was the Client Relationship Associate position, an entry level job that was client-facing. I was offered the position, but I had two securities exams to take before I could start serving clients. Vanguard offered support, at-work study time, and classes to ensure that I passed. Despite this, I was still scared—I had been out of school a long time—and how could I, at age 45, memorize financial formulas?
Luckily, I had majored in Psychology in college and remembered how memory works. So, although the usual study strategy is to do all the reading, then study for and take the practice tests, I recalled that older or busier minds work differently. They need to start the self-testing sooner—the in and out of information commits it to memory better. Cramming doesn’t work in midlife! My mind was already juggling too much—kids, eldercare, grocery lists, volunteer work, etc. It was painful to score a 10% on the first practice test, but I hadn’t finished the reading yet so I kept going, and my score kept increasing. I passed the securities exams and started my job on time. I used the same strategy to pass the CFP® exam at age 49.
Don’t be afraid of…starting over after a gap.
Although I had been out of the workforce for some time, I had a decade of experience before I started my family. And, I really appreciated the structure of the Client Relationship Associate role. It allowed me to return home at the end of the day without work in my briefcase, and I could be present for my family at night. No logging on to do work at midnight—my job was done at the end of each day.
Don’t be afraid of…reaching for the next level.
After two years in the Client Relationship Associate role, my kids were in high school, they were more self-sufficient, and after school sports kept them longer at school, so I applied for a Sales Analyst role supporting high-net-worth sales executives. I got the job and haven’t looked back. In my 10 years, I have worked in sales, new account onboarding, and in IT testing new web pages. My current job is as a Financial Advisor, and I love advising my clients. My kids are now out of college and on their own, and I have a fabulous job that I love. And it all started with braving that first exam.
-Polly A.
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Thriving in Transitions
My Vanguard career began during a transition. A transition that involved moving to a new town and starting a life together with my now husband, Chris. As I prepared for the move, and for leaving my job, I knew I was looking for a company where I could grow and develop a lifelong career. That goal landed me in a Client Relationship Associate role in Vanguard’s Retail Services group. As soon as I walked through the door on my first day, and began learning more about Vanguard, I connected with the core values of the company: to enable investors to achieve investment success. I loved talking to a variety of clients about how to invest their hard earned money in hopes they could someday achieve their investment goals—it made me feel like I was making a difference for them. Being new to the investment industry, the support and guidance from my early leaders solidified my interest in giving back the same support to other crew on their Vanguard journey. I’ll never forget contemplating my next career step, just a year or so into my new role one of my colleagues told me, “You should become a team leader–you would be a great leader.” This resonated, because I naturally care for others and want to help them succeed. Who knew a simple compliment could be a turning point for my career?
I worked hard the next few years to become a Vanguard leader; I attended trainings, connected with mentors and coaches, and met with crew all over the firm. Then, I was ready to apply for my next role, a leadership role. I felt empowered, excited and ready to take on the challenge. I landed a team leader role in Brokerage Services and was…terrified! I went into the challenge with all I had and luckily came out the other side as a successful leader with a team of high performing crew. Phew. Being a team leader was an awesome journey and it led me to yet another transition in my career…back to an individual contributor role when I least expected it.
I remember the call like it was yesterday, a former colleague from my Brokerage Services days had earned a promotion in a new role. Her role was going to become available and she thought I’d be a great fit. I was super curious to hear why she had thought of me, as I wasn’t actively seeking a new opportunity at that time and didn’t know her very well. We ended up having lunch to talk about the opportunity and the rest is history. A few weeks later, I was moving on to a new division after 5 years in our Retail division. I cried. I was so overcome with emotion on that last day (also because my team decided to package my 5 year anniversary celebration with my going away celebration), I was feeling so many emotions. Happiness, sadness, gratitude. I was happy, scared and most importantly, I was ready.
On my first day in my new division, Financial Advisor Services, I felt this electric energy and excitement. I made a few quick friends and was assimilating into my new role quite nicely, when suddenly I found out that after 3 months in the job, I was pregnant with our first child. Did I mention that we were in the throes of wedding planning too? “OMG. What am I going to do, how are we going to raise a child!? What about the wedding? How do I tell my boss? How is this all going to play out?” I was in panic mode, a huge life transition was happening at the same time as another huge life transition, at the same time as a career transition. I had to figure out a plan, and fast.
Ultimately, once I had some time to digest this new information, talk with some of my support network, I practiced resiliency and reframed my mind and thought—I can do this, I am grateful for this, this is meant to be. In a recent session I attended, Wharton Professor Adam Grant, talked about resiliency in transitions and how they are means of catapulting into success. When he said this, I reflected back to these days.
Fast forward to the end of my maternity leave, I had been home with our son, Will, for 4 wonderful months. He was the perfect baby, and slept, ate, and traveled well. I was loving my new job as his mom. As I prepared to return to work in the role that I had left, another serendipitous situation arose. A promotional opportunity within my current team. Initially, I thought, “I am so not doing that to myself, I am not ready, I already have no idea how I will juggle work with all my new responsibilities at home…” The excuses were pouring out of me. Quickly, I realized I had to check myself and take a step back to look at the broader picture and think about what I really wanted and could achieve. I decided to go for the job, and it has proved to be one of the best career decisions I have made. That role that helped me to push myself harder than ever before.
After a few years in that role, and enrolling in an MBA program, the leadership spark returned and I was ready to get back to my true passion, leading people. Thanks to a vast network of coaches and mentors, and the experience I had gained over the past 5 years, I earned a new role. However, I was due with my second son about 4 weeks later and was in the midst of my MBA program. This time I thought—no big deal. I can handle this! I took 6 months off with Ben and enjoyed every moment with him, knowing that when I returned to my brand new job, I would figure it all out with the help of my amazing husband, classmates, colleagues and managers.
As I reflect on my career, I realize how the moments when the walls felt like they were going to come crashing down have turned into my most memorable and successful moments both in my personal life and in my career. In times of change and transition we can choose to let it break us down or chose to grow with the change and use it as a catapult to success. There have been some tough times during each of the transitions but through those pivotal moments, I’ve learned and grown the most. I am proud to say I have used them as a trajectory for success and look forward to what exciting changes and opportunities are ahead of me.
-Kristen S.
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Studying for the CFP® exam? Don’t run out of gas
About 10 years ago, before ‘distance-until-empty’ technology was standard in vehicles, I had a couple of friends who often played the ‘gas light’ game. The rules of the game are simple: Reset your vehicle’s tripmeter once your gas light goes on, and see how many miles you can go without running out of gas. Because MPG can vary for each vehicle, my friends never played against each other, but rather the game was always them vs. their car. Interestingly, there’s no way to win the ‘gas light’ game. Either you eventually go to the gas station to refuel, or you run out of gas and lose the game. Consequences of losing the game included calling a loved one, explaining why you ran out of gas, and then humbly asking for their help. Studying for the CFP® exam is a lot like playing the gas light game. Each study module is its own challenge where you must push yourself to the limit and increase your knowledge, but you must know when to give yourself a break and refuel. You must understand that it is a lot like planning for a wedding, not a toddler’s birthday party, and the inability to pace yourself appropriately can cause one to get burnt out and ‘lose the game’. Another key similarity between studying for the CFP® exam and the gas light game: There is no way to win the game. “What?! Don’t I get credit for passing the exam?!” Well, yes, but that’s not the end. If you’re like me, it is more of an enabler towards the ultimate goal: Helping people who need help. What matters most is what you do with the knowledge and how you use it to positively impact people’s lives, and there is no end to that, but rather it can be a life-long calling.
So, I bet you can guess what my motivation was for wanting to pass the CFP® exam. What is your motivation? What is the very specific, extremely tangible reason why you yearn to be a CFP® Professional? I strongly believe that you must have a confident, consistent answer to that question, because you’ll need that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ amidst your long study sessions. What else might you need? Here are a few things for you to consider:
Leverage a professional education provider and trust their process. At Vanguard, we have a program where we partner with a professional education provider, and they have a myriad of resources that improve one’s ability to be successful. If your company does not have a formal partnership established, do some research and ask for corporate sponsorship through a provider of your choice.
Know your learning style and study habits. I cannot stress enough that this is, in my opinion, the most critical piece of one’s study strategy. You must know your learning style and what works for you. This allows you to be efficient and spend your time learning how you learn best. For me, self-study is key, and a classroom environment isn’t as effective. For you, it is likely something different. Adjust your learning style as appropriate.
Set a study schedule and get buy-in from your support system. I have five young kids. NOTHING is getting accomplished at home. For me, study time started in the office at 6:00am each weekday before my work day began. Whatever it is for you, make sure those supporting you during this journey, both at home and at work, know your study schedule and agree to help hold you accountable to it.
Final encouragement: If I can do it, anyone can do it. I hadn’t studied for a formal exam in over 10 years, and my fifth child was born a month and a half before exam day. That means my study skills were rusty, and I wasn’t getting enough sleep when I needed it the most. You’ll likely have your own challenges, but if you hold on to that motivational reason and persevere, you’ll be well on your way to positively impacting people lives. Just don’t run out of gas.
-Matthew B.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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