ICM has proven to be one of the leading recruiting firms in the financial services industry for over 29 years. We believe in grooming talented individuals into trusted professionals for a life-long career as a financial advisor. When joining our firm, advisors can choose between our two distinct business models: Employee Model and Independent Model.

Employees receive a generous compensation package and benefits including medical, dental, vision and disability insurance, 401(k) with matching, tuition reimbursement for CFP®designation, company ownership through stock options, and the opportunity to qualify for business conferences.

ICM provides the benefit of being affiliated with a private, boutique firm, combined with the back-office support of Osaic, one of the largest independent broker-dealers in the United States. Transition bonuses and administrative support are available to qualified advisors joining our team.

Our Management Career Path was developed as a leadership and career advancement program for our advisors.This opportunity allows qualified individuals the opportunity to pursue a management career without climbing a corporate ladder of seniority, at a firm that is committed to promoting from within.

Our extensive management training program prepares you to learn all the aspects of running a branch office so you can fill a senior management position in an existing branch, or open a new retail branch location for the firm. This is an excellent opportunity for a management-minded Financial Advisor with a desire to help train, manage, mentor, and develop the careers of other advisors.

The first step in getting the appropriate work experience is to check with your college. Often, the student services center or a guidance counselor may be able to provide you with local job listings, or actually set up interviews with potential employers. If this doesn’t work out, or if the position isn’t feasible because of your school schedule, consider approaching firms close to home on your own.

Obviously, we all like to be paid for our time, but consider working for free during your internship – that is, as long as you receive a letter of recommendation for your work from your supervisor. In the long run, this is the best compensation you can ask for and your first employer may even start you off in a higher position or at a higher salary because of your experience.

If your goal is to become a registered representative and sell securities, you do not need a masters in business administration (MBA). However, if you want to break into some of the more prestigious firms’ training programs (such as Goldman Sachs), it will help to earn your MBA. As an analyst, it is rapidly becoming a must. Keep in mind that this is a highly competitive industry, and this additional degree will help set you apart from the crowd.

Internships are available for those who want to obtain positions as analysts, bankers, registered reps or virtually any other position on Wall Street. Therefore, in an undergraduate or a graduate program, it is important to try to land an internship in the field where you want to work. Prospective brokers and/or analysts should try to get a job as an assistant at a local firm. Employers look for this type of experience on your resume.

Obtaining securities licenses is almost sure to advance your career in the financial services industry. As a broker, you will need a Series 7 license and a Series 63 license. This will allow you to sell stocks, bonds, and other variable securities in both your home state and other states, assuming that you and your firm become registered in those states. Additional licenses may be required as you move up the corporate ladder. For instance, if you obtain a managerial position, you may be asked to obtain your Series 24, or principal’s license.

Analysts seem to have the most career choices in the industry. They can become producing brokers and can even make the switch to becoming financial writers. Brokers can make those same switches, but it is much harder. This is because a broker is usually only involved in the sales process, and has little or no involvement in the research process. In addition, they often have very little opportunity to hone their writing skills, which is vital to becoming an analyst.

Many brokers eventually decide that they want to specialize in options, or become branch managers. In this case, their sales experience puts them on a better path to achieving that goal.

Breaking into the financial services industry isn’t too difficult, but building a career and earning a reputation as a savvy player is tough. You should expect the process to be mentally trying and time consuming. Succeeding and moving up the corporate ladder will depend on your desire to succeed and beat out increasingly stiff competition.