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Financial Advisor

BMO · Schaumburg, IL · $65,000–$140,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you build a referral relationship with branch bankers so they actually send you clients?

What they are checking: Whether they know branch referrals are earned through trust and follow-through, which drives most of this role's new business.

Tell me about a time you recommended against a sale because it was not in the client's best interest.

What they are checking: Whether they put the client first even when it costs them against a sales target.

How do you explain a market drop to a nervous client who wants to move everything to cash?

What they are checking: Whether they can calm emotions with facts and keep a client on a sound plan.

How do you keep your outbound calling consistent when you get a lot of no's in a row?

What they are checking: Whether they have the persistence and routine that outbound campaigns demand.

What would you do

A branch customer has 200,000 dollars sitting in a savings account and mentions retiring in eight years. How would you start that conversation?

What they are checking: Whether they lead with discovery about goals and risk before naming any product.

How would you plan and run a seminar for prospects in Schaumburg, and how would you follow up afterward?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn business development activity like seminars into booked appointments.

What do you do in your first two weeks if you are well behind on your new asset target for the quarter?

What they are checking: Whether they respond to a gap with a concrete plan rather than panic or pressure on clients.

During a review, a client mentions they are thinking about a business loan. What do you do with that?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize and pass along referral opportunities for other parts of the bank.

About the work

Explain the difference between a mutual fund wrap account and buying mutual funds directly, the way you would to a client.

What they are checking: Whether they understand fee-based managed products well enough to explain them plainly and honestly.

When would an annuity make sense for a client, and when would you steer them away from one?

What they are checking: Whether they understand product suitability rather than treating every product as something to sell.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at BMO from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by BMO.

Application Deadline: 10/29/2026 Address: 590 S Roselle Road Job Family Group: Wealth Sales & Service Provides financial and investment planning and advice in collaboration with other team members to deliver a comprehensive banking solution in the best interest of the customer. Determines client needs and provides solutions though the sales of managed products and services (e.g. mutual funds, mutual fund wrap accounts, ETF wrap accounts, insurance, annuities, retirement savings plans, and other similar products). Provides other solutions indirectly through referrals to business partners. • Supports the achievement of sales and performance targets for new asset sales, joint appointments, fee-based sales, and financial planning. • Implements business development strategies to acquire new business (e.g. outbound calling campaigns, conducting seminars) and cultivate branch employee referrals. • Identifies opportunities during customer conversations to generate referrals for personal and commercial banking products (e.g. personal banking, lending, and investments). • Implements a relationship management plan in collaboration with the lead relationship manager. • Determines client needs and provides solutions though the sales of managed products and services. • Develops solutions and makes recommendations based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs. • Provides advice and guidance to assigned business/group on implementation of solutions. • Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. • Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy. • Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues. • Coordinates and executes specific activities for the implementation of strategic initiatives; includes tracking metrics and milestones. • • Manages databases and provides support for analysis, forecasting and/or data visualization, ensuring adherence with data governance standards. • Breaks down strategic problems, and analyses data and information to provide insights and recommendations. • Monitors and tracks performance and addresses any issues. • Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards. • Builds change management plans of varying scope and type; leads or participates in a variety of change management activities including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment of initiatives. • Leads or participates in defining the communication plan designed to positively influence or change behaviour; develops tailored messaging; and identifies appropriate distribution channels. • Provides input into the planning and implementation of operational programs. • Executes work to deliver timely, accurate, and efficient service. • Identifies business needs, designs and develops tools and training programs; may include delivery of training to audiences. • Employs systems (e.g. customized exception reports, tracking reports, etc.) to manage information. • Integrates information from multiple sources to enable more efficient processes, enhanced analysis and/or streamlined reporting. • Supports the development and promotion of a business/group program. • Works collaboratively and in partnership with members of the client relationship team to apply a consultative sales process and continually enhance the client experience. • Introduces clients to investment strategies and works with clients to develop a financial plan utilizing appropriate guidance tools. • Implements a relationship management plan in collaboration with the lead relationship manager. • Implements business development strategies to acquire new business (e.g. outbound calling campaigns, conducting seminars) and cultivate branch employee referrals. • Communicates effectively with sales management and sales force to keep them informed of product developments and initiatives. • Coaches and advises others on the team by conducting joint appointments and sharing product knowledge and sales tips. • Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders. • Ensures alignment between stakeholders. • Follows through on the risk and compliance processes and policies to ensure we safeguard our customers’ assets, maintain their privacy, act in their best interests, and ensures an effectively run function. • Protects the Bank's assets and complies with all regulatory, legal and ethical requirements. • Identifies and recommends ways to enhance the client experience. • Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus. • Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules. • Works independently on a range of complex tasks, which may include unique situations. • Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed. • Take measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations. Qualifications: • Typically, between 4 -6 years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience. • FINRA Series 6, 63 & 65 Licenses OR FINRA Series 7 & 66 licenses. • Life and Health Insurance Producer’s License. • Completed LTC Continuing Education Requirements. • Strong working knowledge of financial industry. • In-depth experience working with managed products and providing fee-based advice. • In-depth understanding of deposit and loan (including mortgage) products and banking services. • Technical proficiency gained through education and/or business experience. • Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth. • Collaboration & team skills - In-depth. • Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth. • Influence skills - In-depth. • Data driven decision making - In-depth. Salary : $65,000.00 - $140,000.00 Pay Type: Salaried & Commission The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type. Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position. BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards About Us At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world. As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset. To find out more visit us at http://jobs.bmo.com/us/en BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to BMOCareers.Support@bmo.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.

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