Fidelity Hiring 4,000 Workers, Including Advisors

In a separate statement, Murphy said the firm continues "to see very strong growth, both in new accounts to Fidelity as well as deeper engagement from our existing client base."

Fidelity has seen a 24% increase in households engaged in financial planning interactions during the second quarter compared with the same period a year ago, according to a company spokeswoman. 

Recent market volatility and growing economic complexity "has driven millions of new and existing customers to open accounts, increase trading activity and contribute additional savings," notes the Fidelity announcement. 

Fidelity would not disclose how many advisors would be hired over the next six months nor the number of licensed reps or customer service employees but noted in its press release a priority "to hire individuals who share the company's passion for customer service."

A spokeswoman described some of the "high-level skills" it was seeking for the new hires, as follows: 

• For licensed professionals, individuals with Series, 6, 7, 9/10 and/or 24 licenses along with "a passion for helping people plan their financial futures."
• For financial advisors, individuals "who are people-focused, collaborative and driven to provide consultative investment and planning guidance, manage high-net-worth client accounts and account teams, and act as liaison between customer and Fidelity to drive customer satisfaction."
• For customer service reps applicants with "relationship building skills; experience in service or hospitality industries" in people-facing positions a plus. 

Bill Ackerman, head of Human Resources, noted that Fidelity has enhanced employee benefits during the pandemic crisis, offering more flexible work options, a work-from-home expense allowance, a caregiver subsidy and access to elder and child care coordinators.

Fidelity has $8.8 trillion in assets under administration and $3.5 trillion in assets under management and serves more than 32 million individuals, 22,000 businesses (in their employee benefit programs) and 13,5000 institutions.

 — Related on ThinkAdvisor:

• 12 Best Cities for Financial Advisors to Start a Career
• Famous Folks (Real and Fictitious) Who Worked From Home
• Pershing CEO: 'Pandemic Forced Us to Rethink Everything'