Working at First Investors Corp — Reviews by Employees

I have been at First Investors for a few years now. I heard about this site and had to read it for myself. I got really annoyed reading some of the bitter and vile things that a few people have chosen to write about the company that I call home. I would agree that FIC might not be for everyone, but then again what company is?

Here is how I rated FIC.

Pay is a three. It took some time to build my clients and gain the experience I needed to make a really good living. I'm glad I stuck it out.

Respect is a four. My manager and co-workers treat me well. They encourage me to do better.

Benefits are a two. I have to pay for my medical insurance. But at least I have it and I get a deduction. I have group life and a profit sharing plan.

Job security is at least a four. I have a license and experience. Just like the bitter writers, if I choose I can go just about anywhere. I like it here.

Work-Life is a three. I work hard and sometimes alot. However, I enjoy my life and travel and take time off when I want.

Career/Growth is at least a three. I have multiple opportunities at FIC and should I choose I'm sure I would be valuable to other companies as well.

Location is a three. Good location but very modest office.

Co-workers are a three. Some are really good. Others are average.

Work environment is three. Modest office space, good support and I've made some very good friends.

This is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. It’s a lot of hard work to get where you need to go, but I don’t understand why this surprises people. Those who can’t hack it need to grow up and get another job that let’s them be lazy. I hear there are some fast food restaurants hiring. It just stuns me that people don’t expect to work hard especially because reps work with people’s money, one of the most important things to them. Of course you have to work hard and be responsible. It’s such a no brainer! This job is very different from a corporate job. If you decide you want a raise with more money in your pockets, then by all means you can go out and get yourself that raise by working harder and putting more hours in. In the corporate world you just can’t do this. Raises come when they are given to you and the more of that depends on how the company is doing. Despite the economy or any other factors, if you are getting referrals, making more clients and working hard, then you can guarantee yourself a raise. People who expect a corporate environment shouldn’t take a job here, because that’s not what this company (or this industry for that matter) is all about. Since it’s not run like a corporate field, you can enjoy so many perks that a lot of other people in this country don’t get to enjoy. Things like the fact that you can take as much time as you need off and not worry about checking off your vacation days one by one. Things like being able to have an extremely flexible schedule that you plan for yourself. There are a few meetings that we are expected to attend, because we are registered representatives, but other than that we are expected to be out of the office meeting and talking with people. Even your work and life balance are super flexible. There have been times where I have busted myself in my job, so my social life took a little bit of a dive during that time. Then I have had other times where I have really pandered to my social life and the needs around me. It is all what you make of it and since you control your own business, then you can figure out what kind of a schedule you need and how much time off you need. The flexibility is what drew me to this business in the first place.

I’m not a super wordy person so forgive me if this is short. I’ll just say that I like my job and I like the way my job has morphed and changed over the many years that I have been here. When I started, I was given all of the tools I needed to build my base. The training program was extensive and I was told everything I needed to know before I hit the field. That program set me up good and I have seen it set up others for years now. I like my co-workers and my managers. I appreciate their friendships, as well as their wisdom when I have needed it. I’ve met a lot of other registered representatives at convention during the summer and that seems to be the trend with every office. People like who they work with and who they work for. You don’t find that often where people really enjoy the company of the people they work with. I’m not much of a writer, so I’ll leave it at that. FIC is a great company to work for.

Back when I first interviewed with the company I remember having a lot of questions. I think that's pretty normal for anyone who is looking for a job. I really liked the way First Investors Corp. handled the whole job interview process. We had multiple opportunities to ask questions, thus making sure we had a solid grasp on what a career in this field would take. I had heard that this was a tough career choice. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous about taking the job. Nevertheless, I took the job and haven't looked back once. I've had a lot of opportunities over the last years to take part in the interview process here at our company - so I have to say that I have a pretty good grasp of what it takes and what kind of person it takes to be successful here. Anyone who we hired who has had significant success at our company has emulated the following skills: self-motivation, ability to manage time well, patience, attention to detail, ability to think outside of the box (knowing what might suit a certain client better than other ideas), and last but not least I have noticed that our successful representatives have a strong ability to create a goal and to do everything in their power to reach it. This company is all about making goals. We don't compete against each other, but rather, we compete against ourselves -- outdoing and outperforming our latest successes. I work in a great office, given everything that I need to run my practice, and overall I work with remarkable people. Those of us who have been here a while share a deep sense of caring for our jobs and for our clients. Handling someone's investments is one of the most important, and not to mention risky, responsibilities. I would even say that handing someone's retirement or college fund is just as important as a doctor handling their health. We have a very special job - one that is meant to provide a feeling of safety and security to our clients. Given the amount of devotion that should be given to each representative's client base, there will be a bit of a dent in a person's social life - especially at the beginning of their career. It does take some time to build up clients, but as I listed before, those who are patient with the whole process are those who succeed in the end. Overall, I am more than satisfied with my job at First Investors Corp. It's a great place to be, great people to work with and great clients to build relationships with.

There aren’t a whole lot of professions you can go into and make this kind of money. Sure it costs some money to start-up in this business to get your licenses, but the cost is nowhere near the debt that doctors and lawyers have after they finish their degrees in higher education. And in this profession you can make as much as doctors and lawyers, but without the gazillion years of education.

The benefits at the company give much more freedom to reps than people who work for corporate jobs around the country. Reps can deduct 100% of their premiums and get to choose their coverage when it comes to health insurance. Then there’s the retirement plan. Not to mention quarterly bonuses, Top 25 bonuses, Rookie/Sophomore of the Year bonuses… and the list goes on. Reps consistently earn four to five digit quarterly bonuses. You can’t find that in many other professions.

Respect is what it is. Some people deserve it. Some people don’t. I try to be someone who deserves respect and I feel I get it in return from people when I dish it out. I respect most of my colleagues and what they do for their clients. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have examples leading the way and showing me how it’s done. I have the utmost respect for them.

Work environment is a personal responsibility if you ask me. You can make your work experience what it is by having a good personality and trying to connect with people in your office. You can make it a bad experience if you choose to close yourself off and make enemies. It’s basically learning to get along on the playground again.

As far as co-worker competence goes – we have a ton of people who really know their stuff around here. I guess it depends who you talk to and who you hang with.

Job security is one of the last things you have to think about when you work here. No one goes anywhere unless they really sink their own ship. If you’ve got clients who are happy with you and your services, you’re good to go. Managers meet one-on-one with us here quite often throughout the week. So you always have people guiding you if you need the help.

Location is quick and convenient. Don’t have to pay for parking.

FIC has an outstanding work culture. From the first day I stepped into the office, I felt immediately that I was a part of the office culture there. Everyone has a place in this office and everyone gets along really well. We joke a lot that it is almost like a second home to some of us. There is a lot of potential for reps to grow professionally – as well as personally. I have asked lots of my friends here on advice before I bought my home and my new car. It’s great having competent people around who have more life experience than me and who don’t mind guiding me as I make some important decisions in life. I put my heart and soul into my job and I never feel bitter about it. Pay is clearly performance driven. So I get what I deserve at the end of the day. I personally feel that I deserve a lot – and so I work and make my schedule in a way where I can earn a lot. It’s pretty simple. What I like best about the job is that we really strive to put clients first. Clients should always be number one. Office politics and whatnot really takes a backseat when it comes to my clients. They are number one in my book. And I sure hope they feel that way. I have had quite a few clients tell me about the huge difference I have made with their finances. Sometimes it makes me laugh how clueless people can be about their money! But then again I am clueless about plumbing and that’s why I have someone come and do it for me when I have a problem! So I’m happy to help people who need help with their finances. They need people to steer them in the right direction.

For point 1: Pay is what you make it. Results will come directly from the time and work you put into everything.

For point 2: There is a very good and positive recognition of your work at this company. Everyone in the office, including managers, really respect you for the work you do and what you have done.

For point 3: Nothing to write home about. But it certainly is better than a lot of people have it. Benefits are provided in different packages. Like time off. And bonuses. And convention.

For point 4: First Investors has a good record of providing a high level of job security even when all the other companies are following down a different kind of path. Lots of people I have known have lost their jobs in this economy and I have not once batted an eye.

For point 5: The management is very supportive of everyone making sure they are happy in their personal and social lives. We have a lot of things we do as an office together, too. So that way our relationships aren’t stale – but we actually care about each other.

For point 6: Wide room for growth and opportunity.

For point 7: Office is 10 minutes away from where I live. I can’t complain.

For point 8: If people weren’t competent individuals, they wouldn’t have a job here. The reps in this office are all put together well and have a solid idea of what they want their futures to hold.

For point 9: Very good. I have always felt extremely comfortable going to the managers with anything that I need. I also feel comfortable asking questions in meetings with my co-workers.

I worked at an FIC office in North Carolina for 8 years. It's been 7 years since I left but my experience was quite positive. The negative posts I've read on here sure sound like a lot of sour grapes to me. If FIC wasn't for you, fine. It is for hundreds of people. I left because a better opportunity presented itself in another part of the country and I have done extremely well in my new position but I thank my FIC experience for teaching me a lot about selling and customer service. All in all I would disagree with the negative posts on here. Again, if FIC wasn't for you, fine. Move on. And grow up for God's sake. Jeez.......life's hard. Wear a cup.

I just got a phone call from a rep who used to work here saying that he has put up multiple negative posts about the Detroit office and he was proud of himself. He now "works" at a company in the Upper Peninsula which looks like it has a very poor JobVent rating of its own. My supervisor recommended that I not put up this posting but the public needs to know that most of the negative posts on this site are the work of one or two people. I am proud of my company but I am not proud of this person who no longer works here,


First Investors is a good company if you are willing to work and don't cry about everything. Most of what was said in his last post was a lie and much of the rest was inaccurate because he isn't very intelligent. It's sad that he truly believes that there are no competent people in the office yet he never made more than $50,000 because he was lazy.

I have worked for First Investors for six years. When I was searching for a financial company to work with I wanted to ensure that the company was ethical and conducted business with integrity. The other important aspect that I wanted was the ability to advance in my career and know that I would be rewarded based on my accomplishments and successes. I knew that I wanted to help people change their financial futures. My compensation is a commission structure; therefore I am paid based upon how many people I am able to help. My income is truly controlled by me and how hard I am willing to work.

I was raised to believe that respect is earned, not given. I have worked extremely hard and have earned the respect of not only my peers and my managers, but also my clients. Those people that feel they aren’t given respect haven’t done anything to earn the respect.

Benefits were very important to me. First Investors contributes to a profit sharing plan on my behalf. I have multiple types of retirement plans that I am able to contribute to. The quarterly bonus program is outstanding. I have virtually no overhead to worry about paying for out of pocket. I choose the health benefits that specifically fit my needs.

Even in an economy when other investment companies have been laying off representatives I feel very secure in my employment because the business model we have at First Investors is not cyclical with the slowing economy or poor market performance. Our business model deals with long term goals that don’t change just because the economy slows and market performance falls off.

Balancing work and life is difficult for most people in general. As in any worthwhile career the first couple of years required hard work and diligence. Mastering time management skills were important and as a result my schedule became more flexible and I was able to spend more time enjoying the things that are important to me.

The potential for growth and career advancement is wide open. I have found myself in the midst of an incredible opportunity and I have done everything in my power to take advantage of this opportunity. These same opportunities for advancement are available to those people who are willing to work hard and implement the incredible training that is provided.

At First Investors we have a stellar training/education program that representatives and managers participate in throughout their careers. We are taught the business from the ground floor up. I feel that my co-workers know as much or more than any other representatives in our industry.

I truly enjoy going to work each day. I feel fortunate that I have the opportunity to work with really good people. I know that the people I work with want to see me succeed and reach the goals that I have set for myself. This may sound cliché but we do have a family atmosphere. We choose to spend time with each other outside of the work environment because we have built lifelong friendships. I cannot see myself in any other career working for any other company.