I agree. Financial advisory, like any other profession, is a respectable job. If not, I wouldn’t have joined in the first place.

However, many consumers view advisers as another salesman just wanting to sell you something. Some practitioners does the industry no favors but behaving just like one.

The barrier to entry and retreat is low. If the person is not serious, he/she would be thinking “At the most, I’ll just find another job if I don’t make it after a few months” or conduct the business in an irresponsible way. Unlike other jobs, there could be great repercussions for those who have bought policies or invested with such people.

Feel free to link to your blog.

What you said is very true. Sometimes, their servicing agents changed so often to an extent that client themselves lost count.

I may write my view about this in my blog too and I hope to link this posting in it. Tks.

There are quite a few reasons that lead to my decision to join this industry. Not going into details, the over simplified explanation is that there are Push and Pull factors.

Push factor is mainly my dis-illusion with the previous industry.
Pull factors is mainly interest.

I joined the industry when the economy is still booming. I think that answers your question.

I share your sentiments. I’m not against these people going into this line but if they are in it just to ride out the economic downturn, at least be frank to the consumer. Tell us why you decide to join the industry and if you see yourself hopping to another industry when the economy recover, let us know too.

Cheers!