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.
“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.
More careers blogs you may have missed
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.
My Story: Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis
Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis looks back at his upbringing, his early job history, and why he ultimately came to–and stayed at–Vanguard.
What differentiates us from other data science teams?
Data Science Manager Mirim L. provides her perspective on what it means to be a Data Scientist at Vanguard.
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.
More careers blogs you may have missed
Redefining Success at Vanguard
Financial Advisor Daniel M. writes about how he found a career in advice at Vanguard, and how he’s able to balance his love for travel and his career.
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.
Vanguard’s Support in My Family’s Adoption Experience
Perry blogs about how he and his family were supported by Vanguard through their adoption experience.
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.
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.
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.
More careers blogs you may have missed
4 Hacks for Your Best Social Brand Ever
In this step by step series on creating your brand, you’ll learn how to get started, glean tips from branding experts, and discover what really hooks an audience.
3 Tips from My Midlife Start at Vanguard
Financial advisor, Polly, shares 3 tips on her career journey and how she made a midlife start to her career at Vanguard.
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.
Thriving in Transitions
Kristen talks about her personal and career journey and how she adapts and thrives in transitions.
4 Tips for a More Inclusive Environment
Vanguard’s Chief Human Resources Officer John James shares four tips to promote a more inclusive environment in this blog.
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.
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!
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.
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.
National Intern Day: How Vanguard’s Internships Help You Test the Waters
Our College to Corporate (C2C) interns from our three US sites share how they spend their days and what they get from their time at Vanguard.
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.
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.
More careers blogs you may have missed
4 Hacks for Your Best Social Brand Ever
In this step by step series on creating your brand, you’ll learn how to get started, glean tips from branding experts, and discover what really hooks an audience.
My Story: Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis
Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis looks back at his upbringing, his early job history, and why he ultimately came to–and stayed at–Vanguard.
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.
Four Tips for a More Inclusive Environment
Vanguard’s Chief Human Resources Officer John James shares four tips to promote a more inclusive environment in this 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.
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.
More careers blogs you may have missed
Studying For the CFP® Exam? Don’t Run Out Of Gas
Financial Advisor Matthew B. shares tips on studying for the CFP exam and trying to keep perspective and not “run out of gas”.
Redefining Success at Vanguard
Financial Advisor Daniel writes about how he found a career in advice at Vanguard, and how he’s able to balance his love for travel and his career.
A Lifetime of Opportunities to Lead, Grow, and Impact Others
Follow Célestine’s journey from finding her core purpose to returning to her roots as a leader at Vanguard.
Exploring Careers in Client Services – Personal Advisor Services
Crew members Tiana and Darrell share their perspectives on career choices, teamwork, and how they contribute to Vanguard’s mission in Personal Advisor Services.
I Moved 2,000 Miles to Be a Vanguard Advisor
Jon, a Senior Financial Advisor, moved from Michigan to Arizona to start his career at Vanguard. He wanted to do something different with his life and make a bigger difference—he answers “Why Vanguard?” in this blog post.
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.
More careers blogs you may have missed
Meeting Vanguard at the Grace Hopper conference
Learn how Stephanie made her decision to accept an internship offer after spending time with Vanguard at the Grace Hopper Conference.
A different kind of investment
In this blog, IT developer Elijah A. writes about how Vanguard has invested in his professional development.
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.
How Vanguard Became My Home Away From Home
IT crew member Dan K. reflects on his nine years at Vanguard and the advice he picked up from his leaders along the way.
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.
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.
More careers blogs you may have missed
The Brain of an Engineer, the Heart of an Advisor
Financial Advisor Gary reveals why he changed his college major from architecture to finance and how he never looked back.
Redefining Success at Vanguard
Financial Advisor Daniel writes about how he found a career in advice at Vanguard, and how he’s able to balance his love for travel and his career.
A Lifetime of Opportunities to Lead, Grow, and Impact Others
Follow Célestine’s journey from finding her core purpose to returning to her roots as a leader at Vanguard.
Exploring Careers in Client Services – Personal Advisor Services
Crew members Tiana and Darrell share their perspectives on career choices, teamwork, and how they contribute to Vanguard’s mission in Personal Advisor Services.
I Moved 2,000 Miles to Be a Vanguard Advisor
Jon, a Senior Financial Advisor, moved from Michigan to Arizona to start his career at Vanguard. He wanted to do something different with his life and make a bigger difference—he answers “Why Vanguard?” in this blog post.
My Story: Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis
In his last careers blog, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis uncovered key moments from his time at Vanguard. In this blog, Greg looks back at his upbringing, his early job history, and why he ultimately came to–and stayed at–Vanguard. Throughout my childhood and young adult years, I looked up to my older brother a lot. He achieved a great deal of success in the field of computer science, and he did it without a college degree. In fact, I’m the first person in my family to attend a four-year college. But because I so admired my older brother, I first decided to follow in his footsteps and start my high school education at a vocational-technical high school, where I could spend half my day working on computers. As I was thinking about college, initially my plan was to study computer science or engineering. Once I arrived at Penn State, I loved the math side of my education but found myself less interested in chemistry and mechanical drawing. As a result, I decided to change direction and focus on studying business. Post-graduation, I went into the insurance industry as an underwriter, followed by a stint as a premium auditor. While both roles were great experiences, I still felt as though there was something else that would be a better long-term fit for me. During these years, I would periodically drive by Vanguard’s campus. Although I never thought of pursuing Vanguard as an employer, I was curious about their trading floor and Vanguard’s approach to investment management. I started researching the markets and the investment side of the insurance industry. I had no idea I was planning my future career. In order to break into the investment side of the business, I realized I had to pursue an advanced degree, so I went back to school to pursue my MBA at Wharton. This afforded me an opportunity for a Wall Street internship in Fixed Income Sales & Trading. Fortunately the internship was successful, and I was able to leverage that experience into a full-time opportunity at a large NYC Investment bank in a Fixed-Income Trading rotational program. My timing wasn’t great, as shortly after starting the program the Asia Financial Crisis swept around the globe, leaving a very significant mark on many of the Wall Street Banks. Our rotational program was abruptly ended and I was placed into a non-trading role and I was extremely unhappy. The truth is, I felt as though I was settling. I decided to start looking at opportunities at other firms. Then a childhood friend, who happened to be a Vanguard recruiter, asked for my resume. I was hesitant at first, but she finally convinced me to meet with a man named Ken Volpert, who at the time ran Vanguard’s bond index team. During the interview, Ken talked about career options, Vanguard’s investment philosophy, and company growth, but it was something else that piqued my curiosity. Ken spoke about how dedicated he is to developing people and how he makes sure his crew get opportunities to learn and grow. At that moment, I knew I wanted to work for him and Vanguard. I started as a trader and quickly saw how my values aligned to Vanguard’s investment principles. Not only had I found a firm whose mission I connected with, but I also discovered how many people advocated for me to get exposure to projects, resources, tools, and new experiences. I loved being part of the trading world–getting involved in the markets, owning something right away and seeing it through to success. As I grew and moved into bigger roles, I was able to then provide personal and professional development skills—those that I learned and admired from Ken—to other crew that I’ve led and mentored. It’s refreshing to see the focus on development come full circle. Because I believe so fervently in developing others–including leaders of leaders–often someone will ask me, “What do you do when someone isn’t performing well?” I advise leaders to start by having an honest discussion with their team member about that person’s performance–what’s not going well, what they need to do to improve, and how you as a leader can support them. There seems to be a misconception that nice cultures don’t give strong feedback, but that’s actually a rather unkind approach. No one should ever have to guess why their career isn’t moving forward. Of course, there were setbacks along the way. I recall a time when our bond index funds experienced a period of substantial underperformance, bonds that we owned were being downgraded to junk (below investment grade credit rating). It’s quite distressing to see something you’re responsible for underperform. Luckily, the team rallied and reengineered our approach to bond indexing. As painful as that experience was, it allowed the team to learn and improve our process, which helped us be well-prepared for the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. That team-focused mentality is why I’ve stayed at Vanguard for over 15 years. In addition to hurdles, there are also moments of pride: watching my team rise through the ranks to become officers and senior leaders. I’ve also loved watching Vanguard grow–adding a personal advisor business and expanding outside the U.S. This means better outcomes for our clients. Moving to the U.S. from Germany–and having to quickly improve my ability to read, write, and speak English–taught me a lesson I’ve carried with me from childhood until now: If you’re comfortable, you’re not growing. You never know, your future just might be in that building you drive by every day.
I was born in Germany and raised in a U.S. military family. We were a multicultural, multilingual family; I spoke German with my mom and English with my dad. Of course both parents understood the other language, so there was no pulling one over on either of them. Both of my parents worked, and I was co-raised by my maternal grandmother who spoke primarily German. My grandmother was an instrumental part of my childhood and spent a lot of time with me at home. The summer before second grade, we moved to the U.S. and settled in South Jersey.
If you enjoyed this post, check out more from our #LifeatVanguard Blog. And if you’re ready for a more rewarding, engaging, meaningful career, search our opportunities at www.vanguardjobs.com.
Debunking 5 Common LinkedIn Myths
Do you have a LinkedIn profile? If the answer is no, what’s holding you back? In recent years, there has been a lot of buzz around the misconceptions of engaging on this social network. In this blog, we set the record straight and debunk five common myths about LinkedIn. Following this read, we hope that you too will see the benefits that LinkedIn has to offer. 1. I already have a resume prepared for potential employers, so there is no need for me to create a profile. Truth: Most recruiters leverage LinkedIn as a primary tool to source and research talent. While a resume is necessary when applying to jobs, it’s not something employers can easily find before you apply. By joining the LinkedIn community, you have an opportunity to amplify your personal brand in a unique way. Tip: In order to effectively kick start your brand on social media, consider taking the following actions when creating your profile: 1) Post a flattering and professional photo of yourself and add a background image. 2) Include a summary that highlights your background and areas of professional focus. 3) Outline your educational and work-related experiences and skills. Include descriptions where applicable and frame them like you would an elevator pitch. 4) Consider adding media work samples that you’re proud of. This will catch a viewer’s eye.
2. LinkedIn is only used to search for new career opportunities and I’m happy in my job!
Truth: While LinkedIn aims to help people find jobs, that is not its sole purpose. LinkedIn should be used to establish a professional brand (as mentioned above) and network. It also serves as an educational resource. Not only will LinkedIn feed you content that is tailored to your skills and areas of professional interest, your network will also share content that will aid in your personal development.
Tip: Consider folks who are in and outside of your immediate circle that would make strong professional connections. These should include but are not limited to:
1) Colleagues within and outside of your department
2) People within volunteer groups you’re a part of
3) Friends and family outside of work
4) Alumni of schools or organization you’ve belonged to
5) Influencers in your field or areas of interest
Connect with these individuals and learn from one another! Further, if you’re happy in your role and at your company, you should share your experiences with your LinkedIn network in an effort to attract more top talent into your organization.
3. If I sign up for LinkedIn, recruiters will be knocking down my door.
Truth: It is likely recruiters will request to connect with you and share opportunities that are currently available at their firm. That being said, this doesn’t happen every hour on the hour and in most cases, it won’t even be a daily occurrence. Regardless, you can pick and choose who to respond to based on your comfort level.
Tip: Take ownership of your professional network. If someone requests to connect with you and you’re not interested, hit the ignore button. They will not be notified of your decision and shouldn’t take it personally.
4. I should not connect with anyone I have not met in person.
Truth: Just because you have not met with an individual in person does not mean you cannot establish a connection. It’s possible you have mutual connections and that can serve as a conversation starter. Plus, if they’re in a similar industry, they’re probably sharing thought leadership and intriguing industry updates.
Tip: Connecting gets easier the more you do it. While you can simply hit the connect button without an additional note, the chances of someone accepting your invitation increases if you reach out in a more personal way. Here is an example you can use to break the ice:
5. What if my boss sees that I am on LinkedIn? I’m totally being disloyal.
Truth: Totally not. It is becoming more common among employers to encourage their employees to join LinkedIn. Chances are, your manager is on the social network for reasons similar to your own.
Tip: If you feel conflicted, connect with your boss on LinkedIn or mention the subject in a 1:1 setting. In doing so, this shows that you have nothing to hide. Plus, if you’re using LinkedIn as a developmental tool and a means to get external perspective, your manager will be pleased when you take the initiative to share relevant articles or key learnings with colleagues on the team.
For more tips and advice from Vanguard follow us on LinkedIn and check out our careers blog. And if you’re ready for a more rewarding, engaging, meaningful career, search our opportunities at www.vanguardjobs.com.
