Bank of America
Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: Philadelphia Market

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor: Philadelphia Market
Job Description: Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance. Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America. Merrill is committed to an in-office culture with specific requirements for office-based attendance and which allows for an appropriate level of flexibility for our teammates and businesses based on role-specific considerations. At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value diversity in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different backgrounds and bring their unique perspectives, ideas and experiences, helping to create a work community that is culture driven, resilient, results focused and effective. The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals excited to make a career transition and follow their passion of becoming a Financial Advisor. Role Specifics: As a Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor, you will be responsible for working with high-net worth individuals identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing financial goals, and delivering comprehensive recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with and be mentored by Merrill Financial Advisor Teams to build upon your experience to promote portfolio growth. The Merrill Advisor Development Program- Financial Advisor engages in: Developing a book of business in order to meet and exceed established performance hurdles Effectively prioritizes sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to the appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions to meet client needs Recommending investment products and services that are suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile and preferences Balancing investment growth, referral activities, customer follow up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth and development according to both a day-to-day and longer-term planning Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice Seeking the expertise of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and investment strategies for a client Completing mandated training, assessments, performance goals and continuing education requirements We’ll help you: Build a successful career at Bank of America through world class training and on-boarding programs that set you up for success. Get training and one-on-one coaching from our award-winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership who are invested in your success. Grow your business knowledge by using a defined consultative approach to systematically identify client needs and appropriate solutions. Provide end-to-end comprehensive advice, deliver client reviews/presentations with confidence and recommend strategies to help achieve their financial goals and life priorities. Collaborate with core banking and investment partners. Connect to all the solutions we provide through Bank of America and Merrill to meet virtually all their financial needs. Responsibilities: Handles inbound inquiries from leads regarding Merrill offerings Positions the extensive capabilities of Merrill and Bank of America Collects the necessary client profile data, following standard KYC procedures to open account(s) as appropriate Serves as interim Financial Advisor, providing recommendation of investment products and services that are suitable for prospects and clients based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences as well as servicing client accounts Documents all client interactions and opportunities within Salesforce accurately Required Qualifications: Currently holds Series 7 & 66 (63 & 65 in lieu of 66) licenses Minimum of one year experience working in the financial service industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded Minimum of one year experience in the investments industry, including investment training and in-depth knowledge of investment products and services Proven ability to engage with and influence others Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills Effective communication skills (written and verbal) - Proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility Proven ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions/interventions Proven ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding Goal and results oriented Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to source clients through extensive prospecting and networking Ability to work in an environment where the majority of your compensation is tied to your performance Strong follow-through skills Computer/technical literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel Desired Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of financial services industry or sales experience Learns and adapts to new technology or applications Executes multiple tasks simultaneously Skills: Business Acumen Business Development Oral Communications Prospecting Wealth Planning Analytical Thinking Client Experience Branding Client Investments Management Portfolio Analysis Risk Management Active Listening Client Solutions Advisory Emotional Intelligence Referral Management Trading This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since your position requires SAFE Act registration, you will be required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check and registration process. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in your immediate termination. Shift: 1st shift (United States of America) Hours Per Week: 40 Bank of America is committed to help employees through the transition period when they’re displaced as a result of a workforce reduction, realignment or similar measure. Please review the resume writing and interviewing tips provided below to help prepare you for your next career opportunity. Getting started Regardless of the position you are interested in, the starting points to building your resume are the same: 1. Determine the job or types of jobs you want to do and research their responsibilities and qualifications. 2. Think about why you can do the job and make a list of your skills that are relative to the job. 3. Identify experiences or accomplishments that show your proficiency in the skills required for the job. 4. Summarize your abilities, accomplishments and skills into a brief, concise document. Considerations when writing a resume • Do be brief. Resumes should be 1-2 pages in length. • Do be upbeat and active in your wording. • Do emphasize what you have done clearly and concretely. • Do be neat and well organized. • Do have others proofread and critique your resume. Spell check. Make it error free. • Do use high quality, white or light colored 8½ x 11 paper. Use a laser printer if possible. • Don't be dishonest, always tell the truth about yourself in the most flattering light. • Don't include salary history or requirements. • Don't include references. • Don't include accomplishments that do not support your professional goals. • Don't include anything that isn't relevant. (For example, don't mention your fondness for swimming unless you want to work on the water.) • Don't use italics, underlining, shadows or other fancy treatments. Seven steps to a successful interview 1. Anticipate –Put yourself in the interviewer's position. What do you believe the interviewer is most interested in? Why do you think you have been invited to interview? 2. Research –What are the primary functions of the line of business? What are the success factors for the job? Is there a job description available? 3. Assess –Think about your skills, abilities, knowledge, interests, traits, values and accomplishments. Match them to what you know about the job. Consider which ones you should highlight. 4. Prepare Answers –Think about what the interviewer may ask, determine what the best answer is and write it down. 5. Prepare Questions – Interviewing is a two-way street. By asking thoughtful questions, you communicate your interest and learn a lot about the job. Choose two or three questions to ask your interviewer. Avoid asking a lot of questions about vacation time or breaks. 6. Practice – It may seem awkward, but it is the best way to come across well in an interview. Practice your own "great responses" with others or in front of a mirror until you appear relaxed and at ease. 7. Follow-up – Send a brief follow-up letter to the interviewer. Keep in mind that the many job searchers will not send a follow-up letter. Sending one can become a competitive advantage. Pay Transparency - https://careers.bankofamerica.com/en-us/pay-transparency Privacy Statement - https://careers.bankofamerica.com/en-us/privacy-notice
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location