Step1
**Motivation**
First off, let me say that the jobs Financial Advisor, Financial Consultant, Stockbroker, or Broker are basically the same. It's just one company calls them one things, while another calls them something different. For example, when I worked at Prudential Securities, we were called Financial Advisors.
Now with that being said, let me say that the number one thing you'll need to be is highly motivated. You're working in sales and making most of your money off commission. So you'll need to be able to go out there and drum-up business. You'll have production goals to meet so you need to stay focused and motivated to succeed.
Step2
**Handling Rejection**
Because you're working in sales, you have to prepare yourself for hearing the dreaded word "no." But that just goes with the territory. Some will be willing to listen to you and buy, while many others will say "No thanks."
The key is you cannot let it get to you! You just have to brush it off as part of doing business and understand that it goes with the territory. Those who last can live with and handle rejection. Those who can't live or deal with rejection either fail or quit the business. So you have to be persistent and not let rejection get to you personally.
FYI: If you've worked in telemarketing then you're used to lots of rejection from people you call. Now at some firms, there are cold-callers (telemarketers) who work with various Brokers. At other places, the Brokers themselves do their own calling. So prepare for doing it yourself!
Step3
**Flexibility**
You must be able to work with each client or customer, whichever your firm calls them, individually. The investment needs of a 50 year old retiree and a 30 year old are different. A good Financial Advisor needs to be aware of the differences so he or she can pick good investments for each person. That 50 year old for instance may not want as much risk as the 30 year old, so something like small-cap stocks would probably be out.
So you have to be willing and flexible enough to meet the needs of your individual clients. Now some do specialize in a particular investment, but even there, each investor is a little different.
You've got different personalities, financial goals, varying degrees of how much risk he or she is willing to take on, etc.
Step4
**Education**
While some firms are willing to train you from scratch, the majority would prefer your already having a business degree--Finance, Economics,or Management preferred. That's because you'd be more familiar with basic financial terms and concepts.
But I've known many who didn't have anything other than high school, were hired, and became successful. It's simply that having a college degree improves your chances of getting hired.
You have to remember that you'll be dealing with people's hard-earned money and financial future. The feeling is that a college education means the advice given will be more trustworthy because you're better educated and more "adult." And it's that feeling of comfort that can make a difference.
Step5
**Basic Licensing/Certification**
In order to become a Financial Advisor or Stockbroker, you'll need to pass a series of exams. Most firms simply give you materials to study on your own and help you prep for the tests. But others will actually send you to classes.
Regardless of how it's done, you'll need to pass some certification exams in order to become licensed. The basic ones are the Seris 7 and 83. The Series 7 covers the basic financial and investment concepts, while the Series 63 covers rules and regulations. You must pass them both in order to be come licensed!
FYI: The Series 7 is the harder of the two and many people fail on their first try. That's not because they didn't know their stuff, but mostly because of unfamiliarity with how the computer testing actually works. But those who fail the first time generally pass on the second. So if you don't make it the first time, that doesn't mean you're stupid or can't hack it!
Step6
**Additional Licensing**
With the Series 7 and 63, you'll be able to trade stocks and bonds. But if you wish to work with other things like insurance and commodities, then there are other exams you'll need to pass. This also applies for those of you who want to become Branch or Office Managers. For instance, the Series 3 is for commodities.
Some go for these right away; others wait until later on if they need it; and some don't go beyond the Series 7 and 63. It all depends on what you want to focus on.
Step7
**Background Check**
Part of the licensing process involves a background check and being bonded. This is because you'll be dealing with people's hard-earned money and have tremendous access to personal information and accounts. So the potential for stealing large amount of money exists!
To help "weed-out" those inclined to steal, bonding is usually required and intensive background checks will be done. Some firms may even run credit reports and do drug testing, so be prepared for these.
Step8
**Firm Name can make a Difference**
There are a bizillion financial advising firms out there in the marketplace, so you've got lots of choices as to where to work. But working for a more well-known firm name can make druming up business easier.
For example, if I work for Edward Jones, people I solicit may have heard of it. But if I work for Ron & Company, people may be more unfamiliar with it. Some people are more "leery" of handing their money over to a place they're not very familiar with. Others will go with whomever seems to either "know their stuff" and/or can make them money.
I'm not suggesting you only apply or decide to work for the big name investment firms, but merely pointing-out the reality that a firm's name and reputation can make a difference in terms of how easily you can get clients.
The other thing to consider is this. Larger firms may have a set way of doing business or training employees, while smaller ones may give you more flexibility. So which way you decide to go is a personal choice. Just be sure the firm is legit!
Step9
**Clients belong to the Firm**
The one area that has been a sticking point is who actually "owns" the clients. The Broker is the one who brought the client to the firm in the very first place and works with him or her. So does the client belong to the Broker or the firm?
Why is this even important? It matters because in many cases, when a Broker leaves, he or she will try to take his or her clients to the new firm. So there have been a series of lawsuits to settle the issue of whether or not the clients belong to the firm or the one who brought them on-board.
And the answer is clients belong to the firm! As a Financial Advisor or Stockbroker, you are an employee. So anybody you bring to the firm was done so as an employee of the firm; therefore, the clients you brought are the firm's.
Just thought I would mention this because it might be something asked during an interview or something the firm will want you to understand.
Authority 
