Vicki Filipiak - First Investors Corporation Careers - First Investors Corporation Jobs

Vicki Filipiak > First Investors Registered Representative

"It is amazing to think about the positive impact that we can have on people's lives."

Advice to Others:

This business is full of peaks and valleys. Work hard during the peaks and even harder during the valleys. Not everyone in this industry has a professional designation. Work toward one to set yourself apart from the crowd.

Years With First Investors:

Prior Occupation:

Student

I graduated from Central Michigan University in 1999 with a dual degree in Finance and Economics. Though receiving a diploma signified my entrance into the "real world," I had no idea what was in store for me. I was a country girl from a one-stoplight county, but I was ready to move to the "big city" and build a successful career. Soon after graduation, I was given the opportunity to join First Investors. First Investors appealed to me because I would be rewarded for the amount of effort I put forth. In addition, I was looking forward to working with people face-to-face, and helping them attain their goals.

From the beginning, I decided to make the most out of my experience. Someone once told me, "If you want to be successful, surround yourself with successful people." I was very fortunate to begin my career in a top office with a great manager. There were also a number of senior representatives that I looked up to, and tried to emulate. A lot of hard work, advice from my mentors and manager, determination and blind faith helped me get through those first few years.

I made a commitment to servicing my clients and building relationships. I have focused a lot of my efforts near my hometown. Growing up in a small town, I believe that showing people you are there for them and maintaining personal contacts speaks volumes in our business. With this in mind, seven years ago I started an annual tradition of a client appreciation party. Every summer I have a barbeque at my parents' house and invite all of my current and prospective clients from the area to attend. My entire family pitches in to help prepare home-cooked food. We have gift bags and activities for the kids and a grand-prize drawing for the adults. It is something my clients now look forward to each year. The annual party has become an integral part of building my clientele over the years, and it gives me the opportunity to thank everyone for their business.

Early on in my career, I also made a commitment to continuing my education and started taking the classes I needed in order to earn the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Finding time to study while continuing to build my business proved very challenging. The first time I sat for my CFP exam I thought to myself, I cannot wait for this to be over. Six weeks later, I received my results in the mail only to see one four-letter word staring back at me: FAIL. So I studied harder and I thought I would pass when I took the test again in a few months. But the second letter came—and again I had failed. Discouragement didn't even begin to describe how I felt. I thought about giving up, but decided that would be an even bigger failure. When I signed up for the third time, I studied every free minute for the six months prior to the exam. My hard work paid off; last January I received the letter that said: PASS. With that goal accomplished, I am looking forward to improving my production, and maintaining my Chairman's Council status.

It often surprises me how time has passed. I frequently meet with people who became my clients nine years ago, when I was just starting out. Now I am helping them fill out their pension paperwork, as the dream of retirement they talked about nearly a decade ago has become reality. It is amazing to think about the positive impact that we can have on people's lives and how much our clients rely on us for guidance. I feel absolutely blessed to have a career that I love. My time at First Investors has truly been a rewarding experience.

Recent times have been unnerving for individual investors. A severe recession, a steep stock market downturn, unprecedented volatility, and high-profile investment scam stories have damaged the public's confidence in our nation's financial institutions, and left people wondering what to do. This loss of trust and direction comes at a time when Americans are more responsible than ever for securing their own financial future.

First Investors can help individuals accomplish that goal. We have been in business since 1930, and have successfully navigated many difficult economic periods in our nation during that time. We understand that economic slumps and recoveries are inevitable...and we know how to help people plan for both.

Using a face-to-face approach to customer service, our registered representatives work with clients to establish a disciplined approach to achieving their long-term financial goals, whether they involve saving for a college education, purchasing a home, or building a retirement nest egg. We have more than 80 years of success stories, working with people from all walks of life.