When you’ve compiled a list of potential
brokers, you may want to telephone their offices to explain the
services you’re looking for. The tone of the response, the
questions you’re asked, and the kind of information you’re
given will help you decide whether to schedule an interview.
Often a face-to-face meeting is the best
way to evaluate whether a broker is someone you’ll be comfortable
working with. Remember that the focus of the interview should
be on you, specifically:
Your financial
goals
Your income and
assets
Your attitude
toward investment risk
Questions and answers
You may want to prepare some questions to help you evaluate whether a potential relationship is a good fit. Among the things it may be helpful to know are the kinds of clients the broker works with, the types of investments he or she recommends most often and why, how often you should expect to be updated on your account, and how the broker will be paid.
If you’re married or in a long-term relationship, you probably want to interview the broker together, especially if you’re seeking financial advice. It’s crucial that the three of you are able to work well together.
