Return to Work with Vanguard

You’ve taken time away from work to be there for those close to you. Now, take time for yourself as you prepare to return to the workforce. Vanguard appreciates the challenge of making the leap to reenter the job market and wants to help you ease your way back. Through our 11-week paid Return to Work program, we’ll work closely with you to refresh and reactivate your skills, while you learn about Vanguard’s culture, investment philosophy, and how we work on a daily basis to meet the needs of our clients and help them reach their financial goals. The program has two tracks to choose from based on your prior experience and career interests: Advice and Sales. See below for more details on both tracks.

Your Returnship

During your time at Vanguard, you will:

Be part of a cadre that will be by your side throughout the program. You’ll work together on teambuilding, goal setting, and trainings.
Learn about Vanguard’s culture, investment philosophy, and how we work to meet the needs of our clients.
Have a personalized support team to receive mentorship, coaching, and development opportunities to prepare you for a role in Advice or Sales.
Participate in leader and crew roundtables for networking opportunities.
Conclude your returnship with a capstone project presentation reflecting on your experience.

Advice

What it takes and how to apply

Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience is helpful.
Minimum of two years customer service and client relationship management experience.
Passionate about advocating for investors as a financial advisor and interested in obtaining CFP^® in the future.
Experience in financial services industry is preferred but not required.
Track record of growing responsibilities and success in prior roles.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
Comfortable working virtually during internship.
Live in the proximity of Vanguard’s campuses or willing to relocate if offered a full-time position.
Currently have or willing to obtain within 3 months of assuming full-time position SIE, Series 7 and 66 (or equivalent licenses).

Please click here to search opportunities.

Hear from Yani H.

Join a team of focused, talented, like-minded people making success accessible to everyone.

Yani H. completed the Return to Work program and is now a Financial Advisor with Vanguard. Read as she shares what her #LifeatVanguard has been like since joining our crew.

Mission:

Vanguard’s mission is “To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.” My job is really focused on our clients and helping them create an investment plan that will allow them to achieve their life goals, whether it be retirement, college, purchasing a first home and more. As a financial advisor at Vanguard, I act as a fiduciary and serve the best interest of my clients.

Day in the life:

My entire day revolves around client service and building trusting relationships. Typically, I have between 4-6 appointments scheduled with a blend of new and existing clients. Utilizing tools such as video conference capabilities helps me connect with the client face-to-face. I’m also able to manage my schedule so that I have enough time for any work that needs to be done outside of the appointments, as well as for my professional development as an advisor.

Work-life balance:

Before relaunching my career at Vanguard, I was a stay-at-home mom for several years. Going back to work, especially to a full-time position, was a life changing event for me and for my family. I have found that my leaders are supportive of my need to put my family first. I also have a work schedule that allows a work-life balance, which made the transition back to work much easier.

Return to Work program:

During the Return to Work program at Vanguard, I was able to focus on learning about the advisor role by observing different advisors’ daily routines. This helped me set realistic expectations for the position. Listening to advisors calls with clients was also critical and gave me a better understanding of this unique opportunity and the skills I need to have in order to be a successful advisor.

Advice for jobseekers:

Research the Vanguard and CFP websites in order to get a better understanding about the advisor role and the education requirements to become a CFP. If you can, speak with a financial advisor in your network to learn more about his or her career journey.

Mission:

I see my job as a direct reflection of Vanguard’s mission. Every client interaction and every aspect of my role is guided by the principle of taking a stand for investors and giving them the best chance for success.

Work-life balance:

Returning to work after a career break requires a big adjustment. Vanguard keeps open channels of communication and I feel listened to. I appreciate not having to choose between a career and my family, and the ability to work from home in Vanguard’s new hybrid model has helped with this transition.

I never thought I would:

Develop such a close-knit relationship with my Return to Work program peers. At a time when connection with others has been challenged by a pandemic and virtual communication has become a norm, I was pleasantly surprised to find how easy and natural it felt to interact with one another, find commonalities, and build from there.

Return to Work program:

The program was well designed to provide extensive training as well as paid time to study for the licensing exams. I was given tools, resources, and ongoing support to successfully transition into financial advice.

Advice for job seekers:

Take advantage of the wealth of financial information available online and on podcasts. Read books that inspire you to act. Network with people that are doing the job and when you see an opportunity, go for it. Even when you don’t quite check all the boxes.

Sales

What it takes and how to apply

Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience is helpful.
Minimum of two years customer service and client relationship management experience.
Passionate about becoming a sales consultant to be able to conduct needs analysis and position suitable solutions for investors.
Preferred financial services industry experience or area of interest.
Track record of growing responsibilities and success in prior roles.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
Comfortable working virtually during internship.
Currently have or are willing to obtain within 3 months of assuming full-time position SIE, Series 7 and 66 (or equivalent licenses).
Live in the proximity of Vanguard’s campuses or willing to relocate if offered a full-time position.

Please click here to search opportunities.

Hear from Swaroop A.

Join a team of focused, talented, like-minded people making success accessible to everyone.

Swaroop A. completed the Return to Work program and is now a Sales Consultant with Vanguard. Read as she shares what her #LifeatVanguard has been like since joining our crew.

Mission:

In the Retail Sales Group, we are at the forefront of our mission to bring advice to millions. We are the growth engine, and as such, our role is crucial to our organization’s success.

Day in the life:

I spend about two-thirds of my time speaking to existing clients and prospects who are new to Vanguard. The rest of the day is dedicated to managing the book of clients that I am currently working with, to inspire them to action and close the Sales Cycle. As for what I enjoy most about my job, I love that I can share the Vanguard story and help prospects get happily settled at Vanguard as the best place to invest and achieve their goals.

Work-life balance:

Vanguard has been incredibly flexible in working with crew members to accommodate the personal demands in our lives. They have also been very supportive in providing us with the equipment to make working from home productive and enjoyable. I never thought I’d be taking phone calls at home and appreciate what Vanguard has done to keep me safe during these trying times.

Advice for jobseekers:

Connect with crew members who are currently in the role so that you can learn about the realities of the job. Research the information available on our career site as well.

Mission:

I believe Vanguard’s mission relies in helping people build a better future for themselves. My job helps people set and further understand financial goals and assists them to take steps to build towards and attain that better future.

Work-life balance:

Vanguard provides me with sufficient time off, and a flexible work schedule. I’m also provided with the opportunity to work from home as and when needed.

Vanguard in three words:

I’d say Vanguard’s corporate culture is welcoming, warm, and inclusive— just like a big hug.

Rewards and challenges:

Forming relationships with my clients and helping them achieve their goals is part of what I love about my role. However, to gain the trust of the client and talk about their financial position can at times be a challenge.

Return to Work program:

The program helped me attain SIE certification, connect with associates and managers who have previously been in this role, and shadow other sales consultants to learn from their experience.

Advice for job seekers:

For the new job seekers, I would advise that they should have a positive attitude and be eager to learn.

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Crew at Vanguard are currently operating in a hybrid work environment.

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