Charles Schwab Company Reviews and Ratings CareerBliss 2011 Top 50 Happiest Companies

Overall Bliss Score: 3.95

CareerBliss Charles Schwab reviews give you the inside scoop on what current and past Charles Schwab employees are saying about Charles Schwab.

Charles Schwab Reviews (93)

"Good Company, but inadequate leadership at some levels"

Charles Schwab Review by Private Client Manager/Vice President in Schaumburg, IL on

3.10

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

Platform, its clients, client support, technology, and the income I had there.

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

I was let go on a whim, fairly soon after being sent down to be part of a panel to discuss my success with new employees and train them. New regional vice president with no brokerage experience, only banking, made sweeping cuts without consideration. Unforgiveable.

What suggestions do you have for management?

Coach your managers to be better at helping advisors get off to a great start and be proactive in that success. I was told I was doing great, was sent to train others because of my success, beat my target after being put on action plan due to wife having our 3rd child and father having heart attack. There was no common sense and understanding as to why my numbers were down. But thats ok, my anger has been channeled into making me a CFA Candidate and a sucess elsewhere.

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

The book of business that they offer is theirs and theirs alone. So while you can make a good living, if they leave you out in the cold, like they did with me, a sole-breadwinner and father of three, you will have no portable book of business to show for it. I would just give strong consideration to building your own book if you can....it may take longer, but its YOUR business that you take when you leave. This is not the case at Schwab. Believe me I know, I worked for Schwab twice. Once in a call center and once as an advisor in a branch.

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User Comments

I agree. I had a similar experience in 2007. I became a caretaker to a parent. My business dropped off by 33%. Did they care? Did Schwab's managers show any compassion and understanding for the challenges I faced in 2007. Not at all. I was released in 2008. Over 30 of my clients still send me Christmas Cards today. I must have been doing something right. Schwab has grown too big with high fixed costs and high salaries for mid management personnel both consuming company profits but not contributing one dime to company revenues. Eventually Chuck will realize that many of his current clients will pass away and their heirs will have no loyalty to the firm because the FCs their parents trusted and respected will no longer be there. Mr. Schwab how about cuttig your mid level staff by about 1/3. They were all given very generous stock options for doing nothing. After all they do not contribute to your company's revenues only to your company's expenses. Think of how much money your company will save each year in air fares, hotel rooms, meals and alcohol at the company's annual retreat in West Palm Beach or some Carribean Hotel. Mr. Schwab I remember you when you were very employee oriented. Now it appears all you care about is your Legacy. You said on more than one occasion that you are leaving your great wealth to your foundations and charities. Your Legacy will be set by your charities but most of all by your compassion for people. Make your company a business model for B- School Studens to study and admire. The Charles Schwab Company we once new 10 years ago will be all but forgotten in 10 years and your clients'children will move on their inheritances to firms like TD Ameritrade ,Scotttrade and even on to Independent Financial Advisor you helped trained as Schwab FCs. Do the right thing while you still have time. Support your frontline sales and service employees. 04.16.12
So you met Angela too? 02.29.12
Good points. I had a similar experience with TD Ameritrade. The brokerage industry is in need of a union to protect employees from frivolous terminations. Many friends with similar stories and experiences. If you are looking for a financial consultant position ask about and consider firms who retain a high percentage of new hires after 3 years. Otherwise, you will most likely build the relationship but they will own it. There has got to be a better way. Do what you can to change the way they do business. 03.11.10

"To be honest, I was sorry I left in 1996 and have had Charles Schwab as a client many times since"

Charles Schwab Review by Freelance Communications Specialist in San Francisco, CA on

4.50

What suggestions do you have for management?

They could improve the staffing of their branch offices. The people are not as helpful as they could be. They should possess the basic knowledge of how much investment loss someone can write off against ordinary income for example. They should be able to provide basic facts that are not dependent on a person's situation. If they feel someone is not computer savvy, they could offer to help them find what they're looking for without losing their objectivity. Fidelity does a far better job.

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"It's a great company with great benefits and a focus on clients."

Charles Schwab Review by VP - Financial Consultant in Redmond, WA on

4.50

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

The focus is on clients and it's a friendly company with great value for everyday investors.

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

I have been there 10 years and I still love it, but the lustre and newness is gone, so I am interested in embarking on a new learning curve.

What suggestions do you have for management?

Respect the work/life balance of employees' need for family and vacation.

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

It's the kind of career you can do for 20+ years. There are enough internal changes and evolution of within the company that will allow you to grow with the company and you will be encouraged to grow by management.

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"Accurate - This was a Temporary Position to accommodate Schwab's move to India outsourcing"

Charles Schwab Review by Contractor/Contract Manager/Compliance in San Francisco, CA on

2.40

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

The people were exceptional in both personable and capable attributes.

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

The fact that 120 jobs were being outsourced to India - thus eliminating a whole division off-shore.

What suggestions do you have for management?

They could of been more sensitive to the needs of their long-time employees who were going to lose their positions of over 20 years or more.

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

Define your long-term goals and ask for a long-term contract

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"Overall, the experience was pleasant."

Charles Schwab Review by Senior Art Director / Associate Creative Director in Richfield, OH on

3.50

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

The freedom to be creative and the opportunity to design and produce material for a wide variety of clients.

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

It took some time for the financial side and the creative side of Charles Schwab to finally mesh.

What suggestions do you have for management?

Realize that it's not the Generals who win the wars, but the footmen in the trenches.

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

At times you may feel unappreciated, but believe me, there's always someone watching your progress and it pays to be patient.

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"Because i worked in a field office, it was tough to attain any real job growth. However I do know that the HQ office in Richfield, OH offered solid business advancement. I was not willing to relocate to OH however."

Charles Schwab Review by Business Development Analyst in Boston, MA on

3.40

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

The management really looked out for the employees needs and i liked they really listened to us and were interested in employee morale.

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

No opportunity for career advancement in the Boston marketplace

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"Overall Bliss: Below Average"

Charles Schwab Review by Charles Schwab Employee on

1.30

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

fairly close to home, casual dress, can bike to work

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

hours, the manager, the job itself, being in a cubicle, the hotline format including the breaks and lunch rules

What suggestions do you have for management?

treat people better, Schwab says they like to help their people grow but my manager did not do this, in fact did the opposite

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

ask more specific questions about the job itself and what to do if direct manager is not adhereing to the "Schwab values"

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"I was very fortunate to have the experience of working there."

Charles Schwab Review by Financial Consultant in Annapolis, MD on

4.40

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

I thoroughly enjoyed managing the client relationships there. Schwab is a great company that is set apart from its competitors with its ethical approach to financial services. Also, they compensate their employees well. If I had stayed, I would have earned over $150k.

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

Be hungry, professional, and excited about working for a company like Schwab.

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User Comments

cock 04.24.12

"I was a temp, therefore, I did not receive all of the benefits that a full time/permanent employee would receive."

Charles Schwab Review by New Client Operations in Phoenix, AZ on

3.20

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

I liked the atmosphere and the people who worked there were pleasant to work and helpful when dealing with new job duties.

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

I didn't like that there were so many temps

What suggestions do you have for management?

I thought my managers did a great job and did all they could to ensure I understood what my duties were.

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User Comments

kiss my sac 04.24.12

"Honest. Schwab is an incredible company."

Charles Schwab Review by Analyst/ Programmer II on

3.50

What do you like about working at Charles Schwab?

The people were great and getting financial services experience has been critical to my professional development. I wanted to stay in the company in a business role but there was nothing there but financial analyst (and I am not a finance person)

What don't you like about working at Charles Schwab?

A bit limiting if you are not a finance person

What suggestions do you have for management?

Create a better work-life balance

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Charles Schwab reviews are submitted anonymously, certified Charles Schwab reviews are from those reviewers who report working for Charles Schwab on their resume!

Charles Schwab Stats

  • Industry Average
Overall Score
4.0
3.1
Growth Opportunity
4.0
3.5
Compensation
4.0
3.5
Benefits
4.0
3.7
Recommend to Others
4.2
3.5
Work-life Balance
4.0
3.7
Career Advancement
3.7
3.4
Senior Management
4.0
3.7
Job Security
3.3
3.2

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