Poor Pay, Get In Get Out, Don't Waste Your 20's - Brokerage Associate Vanguard Employee Review

1.0
Mar 12, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-401k match is ok/ but 4% match and 10% match of your pay a quarter isn't much when your pay is squat. -Starting point for those that come in unlicensed

Cons

-This is not a "real" investment company/ investment job. It is a phone job. You're a live body making sure their are not too many people waiting. The phrase "Wal-Mart of investing" is thrown around a lot concerning Vanguard, and it's true. They will pay you peanuts compared to the competition, but when trying to leave the competition either hires you out of pity because they started their too or you get a "Vanguard, that's nice" since the name holds no weight with the "big boys" -Every job is the same with a different title. It doesn't matter if your a client relationship associate, dual hat, or in a specialized division.. you're there to get the client off the line as fast as possible. -Shortened lunches are now the norm. No one wants your "free" lunches when you supply them from the Sodexo cafeteria. -Employees are treated as cattle, unless you're ethnicity is not-white or you're a girl. If you're both you'll be a shining star.

Explore other reviews about Vanguard

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits are amazing, good culture mostly

Cons

Middle management can focus too much on politics vs. improvements

3.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Awesome coworkers for young professionals. Paid licensing for a few months.

Cons

Micromanagement is out of control. Incompetent team leaders who are obsessed with power and metrics. Back to back calls, limited support, and nearly impossible effective communication between departments. Zero time to cultivate culture because you are taking calls every second of the day except for 30min/1hr lunch and two 15 minute breaks. You’re locked into your role for over a year (apprenticeship for around 60 days, then a year after promotion to associate) and your team leaders will not approve internal applications unless you are “eligible”.

4
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