Charles Schwab reviews

I don't even know where to start. Honestly, if you're college educated and interested in finance then STAY AWAY. They sell the idea that you're "starting a career in finance" which is complete BS. More of a customer service call center type role. If you are looking to work as an analyst or any type of finance related role (outside of wealth management) then you're wasting your time with Schwab. If you're interested in wealth management you're probably better off starting at a wire house and then getting a job in a schwab branch as an FC (I only say this because you can make six figures working 40hr/week dealing with cheap clients). The Broker Trainee program is the pond scum role of schwab and not respected anywhere else in the company. No room for growth. They preach that you can move to another department after 18 months but no one is going to help you do that. Several colleagues of mine were interested in working towards their CFP and management tried to talk them out of it. They want you to stay in the call center because they need people on the phones. The only people that like it there and/or stay have no other choice (i.e.kids to feed, mortgage, wife, etc.) or they have nothing else going for them (i.e. no college degree). They reward loyalty and tenure. The director I was under was there for about 17 years and had absolutely no leadership or social skills. He would micromanage through an employees direct supervisor. If you'd like to build your resume and get licensed then take the job and move on ASAP after passing. Have an exit strategy from day one or you're gonna get stuck walking old people through the website and getting yelled at when clients are unhappy with their accounts. I just wish I came across this review when I interviewed. If you decide to pass on the opportunity then good luck with the job search!!

I am horrified by Schwab's outdated technology and tolerance of inefficiency. I SEROUSLY REGRET COMMING TO THIS COMPANY! This is a company that operates from decade old discontinued Compaq computers loaded up with Microsoft 2003! Directors and above can select the equipment they want but you will not be allowed this option. This is the first company I have worked at in the last 15 years where people come to meetings without ipads or laptops. File sharing, calandar syncing, FTP sites, and most of the tools you are accustomed to using are disabled or non existant at Schwab.There is no HR available other than for remote training. If you have any issues tough. There are few training programs. This is an ideal place to be constantly frustrated by inefficiency. The halls are lined with 15 and 20-year employees that are resistant to any change. When there are failures (there are a lot) they become an Schwab cheerleading squad and tell you how innovative they are. You will become sick of hearing the word innovative as you sit in your beige cube at your Formica desk with a Compaq. Your technical work skills will be guaranteed to erode. You will lose 1 to 2 hours work time per day due to IT issues. On the upside they give you nice leather bound paper notebooks so you can take notes. You you will need to have this as you will not be allowed portable technology at Schwab. Beware of the perks of getting to see a financial advisor. These guys will try to put you into Schwab's low earning funds. They have no grasp of emerging technologies or the landscape of the international economy. You will be forced to move all of your accounts to Schwab and will be forced to use their outdated and ugly trading platform. There are minimal holidays off. If you want to know what 1979 felt and looked like, come to Schwab.