Finding Your First Job: Ask the Right Questions in the Interview

Looking for your first job in the financial planning field? Then it’s important to remember that the job interview isn’t just about landing the job. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to gauge whether a company is a good fit for your career goals. That’s why it’s important to ask the right questions during the job interview.  

Asking thoughtful questions shows your sincere interest in the position and the firm and can help you stand out from other candidates, according to Indeed, which recommends preparing up to 10 questions ahead of time. To show you’ve paid attention during the interview, be sure to not ask questions from your list that were already covered. 

Here are some questions to ask to help you better understand a company’s work, culture, compensation and development opportunities. 

Nature of the Work

• What kind of work will I be doing?
• What is the onboarding process for new hires? 
• What does a typical week look like for someone in this role? 
• Will I be working directly with clients or behind the scenes? 
• What percentage of my role involves direct work with clients? 
• How much time will be spent developing and presenting financial plans? 
• What licenses and professional certifications are required and/or recommended by the company? 
• When will I be expected to obtain those qualifications? 

Company Culture

• Does the company have a financial planning philosophy? 
• Will I be part of a team or expected to function on my own? 
• How does the company define and measure success, both for the company and its employees? 

Career Development 

• Is this position on a career track to enable me to become a financial planner? 
• What is the career path for a financial planner at this company? 
• How does the company support and promote personal and professional growth? 
• What professional development opportunities are available? 
• Does the company offer support or reimbursement for CFP® certification? 
• Do you make accommodations for new employees in this role to study for the CFP® exam? 
• What opportunities are available to learn from or work side-by-side with other advisors? 
• Is there a formal mentoring program? How can I best find and partner with a mentor to help me develop a career? 

Compensation Structure

Unless the interviewer brings it up in the first interview, these questions about compensation fit better in the second interview, when you’re more confident about landing the position and the company has narrowed you down from a pool of other candidates as being a good fit for the role.

• What is the compensation structure for the position? 
• What factors determine the starting salary? 
• Does salary “phase out” over time, or is it always part of the compensation? 

Keep in mind that compensation methods vary across companies. Most companies offer guaranteed compensation to entry-level hires or trainees. However, some companies require trainees to convert to variable compensation (a percentage of revenue generated) after one to three years, once the training program is complete.