Best finance careers for women: Why and how to become a financial advisor at Fidelity

Women in finance: A paradox at play

Since the 1950s, women’s financial power has grown, with more women entering the labor force, going to college, and holding positions of power in business and government. Here are some stats:

• 71% of women own investments in the stock market
• 47% of the U.S. workforce (civilian jobs) are held by women
• 51% of the college-educated workforce are women
• 35% of the 10 highest-paying occupations are held by women

Even though women’s financial power has grown, their representation in the financial services industry still lags. Women make up about 52% of entry-level finance jobs, but they remain underrepresented in advanced and leadership roles:

• 31% of personal financial planners
• 30% of senior management roles
• 18% of C-suite roles

Even though women are underrepresented in investment roles, evidence shows that they make skilled investors, generating high returns and revenue. At the same time, women tend to feel more confident managing day-to-day financial decisions rather than long-term investing ones. Fidelity found that women are almost twice as likely as men to describe their investment knowledge as “nonexistent.”

All this is to say that women and finance can be complicated and paradoxical, but there’s a huge opportunity to get into finance now to help shape a better future for yourself and for other women. Fidelity gives you the path and the tools to succeed.

“The more diverse we can be, the more clients we can help feel comfortable and safe in financial conversations.”

Why Fidelity wants to increase the number of female financial advisors and career opportunities for women in finance

Women make up roughly half of society and continue to increase their financial standing. We want our workforce to reflect the clients we serve, which means we need more diversity in the finance sector in general and in financial advisor roles specifically.

“Fidelity wants to make sure every client feels comfortable meeting with their advisor,” said Jenny, Vice President, Financial Consultant. “Diverse advisors can speak to different family backgrounds and landscapes. The more diverse we can be, the more clients we can help feel comfortable and safe in financial conversations.”

Why women make great Fidelity financial advisors

In the U.S., women tend to be socialized to listen, empathize, and be approachable. These traits are essential to being a good Fidelity financial advisor. Here’s how:

Listening

• You can respond to clients with personalized solutions
  “Being a good listener helps us get to exactly what the client is looking for,” said Taylor, Financial Consultant. “We can tie specific solutions to client needs.”
• You can foster deep connections with clients
  “Being able to have an open, deeper conversation comes down to connection and being a natural listener,” said Jenny.

Empathizing

• You have the emotional intelligence needed for discussing tricky topics
  “Money and retirement are very emotional things. It’s important to have empathy when advising people about these things,” said Taylor.
• You get to know your clients on a personal level
  “It’s about the person sitting in front of you and understanding their story, being genuinely curious because they’ve lived a phenomenal life,” said Jenny.
• You help people feel like they, and their needs, matter
  “When someone’s taking the time out of their day, they want to feel heard, seen, and understood before they see the data points,” said Jenny.

Being approachable

• You make people feel safe when discussing their deepest concerns
  “Women can be more approachable for some clients. Our walls are down a little bit, so they can feel comfortable being vulnerable and asking questions,” said Taylor.

“It’s very rewarding to help a client achieve a milestone like retirement and to tell them they’re ready for it.”

Why you should become a financial advisor

Working as a financial advisor means having a rewarding career path, with ample opportunity, that aligns with your values so you can do meaningful work and help others. Here’s how.

Doing work you can be proud of

“It’s very rewarding to help a client achieve a milestone like retirement and to tell them they’re ready for it,” said Taylor. “It’s often overlooked how impactful our job is. Retirement is what everyone is working towards their whole life, and we’re part of that journey.”

Making a real difference

“I can help someone feel empowered,” said Jenny. “I can help make a difference.” Financial advisors do that for their clients through a combination of education and coaching. “You’re helping clients make the right decisions they need and then encouraging them along the way,” said Taylor.

Fostering connections

You’re there for some of the biggest moments of people’s lives. Deepening trust and developing relationships over time helps you help clients navigate any ups and downs that come their way. “The ability to connect with people is really important and very underestimated,” said Taylor.

Career mobility

Your current interpersonal and organizational skills are transferrable to financial services. “I worked in restaurants growing up and at a radio station. All those jobs included interacting with people. Those skills are very transferable,” said Jenny. “Organizational skills and time management help you structure your day. Thinking of yourself as a self-starter will really help you excel in this industry.”

Career opportunities

You aren’t fixed in time or place. If you’re already licensed, you can learn new skills, grow your confidence, and find a new path as a financial advisor. “The financial piece is attainable. You can learn if you’re genuinely interested in it,” said Jenny. “Once you’ve gone through licensing, you have a plethora of career paths and opportunities,” said Taylor.

What do you need to get started? “A willingness to learn, work hard, and challenge yourself before you step into this career. There isn’t one specific career path that leads to being a financial advisor,” said Taylor.

“Fidelity has the most comprehensive training program I’ve seen in the industry.”

Why work for Fidelity as a financial advisor

Formal financial advisor training program

“Fidelity has the most comprehensive training program I’ve seen in the industry,” said Jenny. Our formal training helps you transition into the financial advisor role at Fidelity whether you previously worked in a different licensed role or at another firm. “Fidelity will make sure that when you start your role, you’re fully upskilled and you know what to expect,” said Jenny.

You don’t need to fear failing with Fidelity’s robust, coach-driven model. “They teach you the skills and then they’ll shadow you as you put them in practice and are there to pick you up when you need help,” said Jenny.

Here’s how our training program helps you become a financial advisor:

• It’s a highly structured program for newly hired or promoted financial advisors.
• Our training team is made up of 50 coaches with a combined 750 years of Fidelity experience.
• The program lasts for seven months, with three phases. Over time, you’ll earn 10 badges as you complete each phase.
• You’ll learn new skills, see them in action, practice them in real life, and get coaching along the way.

Read about the different phases and what you learn in each.

After you leave the formal program to become a financial advisor, you maintain access to coaches and professional development opportunities. “Almost five years into my role at Fidelity, I still have a vast group of coaches,” said Jenny. “The upskilling at Fidelity never goes away.”

“Mentorship is big at Fidelity,” said Taylor. “You can find people to shadow and learn from in different roles.” You’ll have ample opportunities to connect with other women financial advisors and leaders through dedicated professional development and networking events. Employee resource groups like Women in Leadership help women associates connect across all levels of the organization to encourage and support each other.

“Fidelity does a really great job of making women feel supported.”

Woman-led, family-run, private company

Abigail “Abby” Johnson has been Fidelity’s CEO since 2014, when she took over for her father, who took over from her grandfather, who founded the company in 1946. American Banker named her the second most powerful woman in finance in 2024. Women in leadership roles at Fidelity make up about 30% of vice president positions and above. In our 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Report, Abby said, “Although we have made good progress, we know we have more to do.” And according to Jenny, “there’s a huge gap in the industry that Fidelity is trying to bridge.”

“Fidelity does a really great job of making women feel supported,” said Taylor. Here’s what that means in practice.

Flexibility and work/life balance

Our flexible work environment and commitment to work/life balance lets you pursue outside hobbies or raise a family. “We have that flexibility built in, which takes some of the pressure of commuting off,” said Jenny.

Your health and well-being take center stage. We know that you can’t check your personal life at the door and that you’re a person first and an employee second. “You have managers that understand and care about you,” said Jenny. “Fidelity cares about you regardless of what you’re going through.”

Benefits that meet you where you are in life

No matter where you are in your career, our benefits support you, whether it’s through your overall financial, physical, and emotional well-being via retirement contributions; your health insurance; concierge services to help you get your to-do list done at home; or career coaching to help you grow in your career. “You might start in an entry-level position and then decide to become an advisor,” said Jenny. “Fidelity will answer what steps you need to take and create the career path for you.”

If you’re a recent graduate or still paying off your student loans, you can get up to $15,000 in assistance to pay off any student loan for any kind of degree.

For women who are mothers or want to become mothers, we offer a slew of family-friendly benefits, such as IVF and adoption assistance, generous maternity leave and paid time off, backup dependent care, and even a flexible spending account to help with childcare tax-free. “When my youngest son was born, I got 16 weeks off,” said Taylor. “During that time, my book was fully supported and run by one of my peers, which was absolutely crucial and amazing for me. I could truly disconnect and spend time with my baby.”

How to become a Fidelity financial advisor

To land a career as a Fidelity financial advisor, you need to do these three things:

1. Adjust your mindset
   Say no to imposter syndrome and thinking you need to be perfect at the start. “You don’t have to have all the questions answered before you take that first step,” said Jenny. Don’t underestimate the value you bring to the table.
2. Talk to people in the industry
   Set up informational interviews with people you know or friends of friends. Connect with people on LinkedIn. “One thing that differentiates Fidelity is that everyone will take 10 minutes to explain their journey,” said Jenny.
3. Set yourself up for success
   Understand our hiring process. Make sure your resume is tailored to the job you’re applying for. Prepare like a pro for your interview.If you’re not already licensed, learn how we help you get licensed in financial services. You don’t need to have a background in finance to get started.

Find your Fidelity as a financial advisor and catapult your career

Now is your chance to get into a role with incredible career potential where you can support other women with their financial goals. Become a Fidelity financial advisor today and discover why it’s one of the best financial jobs for women. Find career opportunities and sign up for job alerts.