I was referred to Merrill by a current employee. I have a background as a Financial Advisor but have been out of the biz for a few years. Initially, I was contacted by the assistant of a top level executive. An interview was arranged two weeks out and I was asked to fill out paperwork for a background and credit check to bring in during my interview. The day of the interview was intense and Merrill is a very impressive firm. The interview process on that day lasted nearly four hours. I interviewed with three people separately: a senior broker who also conducted the training program, a veteran broker, and the complex director. Because I have previous knowledge of the job and was in my position long enough to prove success, a few steps were skipped. I did not have to take the math or economics tests even though my securities licenses recently expired. Due to the recession and awful prospects of jobs in finance, many of my positions were short-term since leaving my previous firm. The complex director's main concern was whether I would be dedicated to the firm i.e. was I going to quit after a short period. (Sincerely I can say, no, it was not my intention - I was looking to reenter my career permanently with the best firm on the street). He left me with "Call me tomorrow and convince me why you are not going to hop jobs on me." A sleepless night ensued as I wrote down my thoughts to try to convince him that this is truly what I wanted. The next morning I placed my first call to his assistant at 6:30 a.m. and proceeded to call her three times before 8 a.m., leaving a message each time. The director never gave me his number or his card - on purpose. The front desk would only send me to his assistant's voicemail when I called so I did some googling and found his direct line through LinkedIn. At 8:30 a.m. I called his direct line to which he answered on speaker. The first words out of his mouth were "Persistence, I love it. How many times have you called me this morning?" "Three previously" I replied." He had received all of my messages. (Rookies, this was a test. I was never asked to answer the question that had kept me up all night). The next words out of his mouth were for me to go meet with a broker and branch manager in the next town - in one hour. The other two interviews were a little more easygoing and the gentlemen couldn't have been any friendlier. I was then instructed to go back to the main office where I had originally interviewed and at that time was verbally offered the position from the director. A formal written offer came the next morning and my start date is under one week away. Merrill is the top notch wirehouse on the street and any doubts I had about that were thrown out the window upon being invited to experience their culture, technology, and program. I'll try to update as I move forward through my first year. My advice to rookies that want to enter the business: Number one, this is a sales job. Knowledge about the markets is good but not necessary. You'll learn quick through lunch seminars and senior brokers; many of whom will take an interest in your success. Be persistent always in the interview process and it will help you immensely to show them a plan of how you will obtain your clients. The name of the game is client acquisition - not knowledge of the markets. Going into the interview with this foremost in your mind will put you far ahead of other applicants. Call or email the branch manager of a brokerage of which you may want to apply. Tell them that you are thinking of entering the business and ask if there are a few brokers you can talk to and ask questions. When speaking to these brokers be sure to ask them for tips on how to build a book of business. They should give you a rough outline of what to talk about during your interview, or even if this business is right for you. It should go without saying that you should be very well dressed and groomed. Charisma will always work in your favor so don't be shy. Be polite but don't feel a need to kiss too much butt. Brokers are essentially independent contractors and the organizational structure is usually loose. The more you can talk to people in the business the better off you will be; both for job seeking purposes and success in your career. Good luck to all of you.