Are you thinking about a career in financial services? Are you currently in the industry and have questions? After years of recruiting, training, and coaching financial professionals, I have concluded that both inexperienced and experienced advisors want significantly more information on the following: their contracts, training, and culture.

Each financial services contract is going to be unique. Contracts can be offered from a variety of institutions, ranging from banks to investment firms, to insurance companies. Contracts can be extended from independent shops, career agencies, and/or combinations of the two. Without diving into each contract, there are common key characteristics to familiarize yourself with. I recommend that anyone look for a career in financial services get clarity on the following areas of your contract: compensation, costs, and client data.