Edward Jones joins the ranks of 680 major U.S. businesses that received top marks in the HRC Foundation’s 18th Annual Scorecard on LGBTQ Workplace Equality.

Edward Jones received a score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality.

“To deliver an incredible Edward Jones client experience, we must foster an inclusive environment where associates are nurtured and can bring their best selves to work,” said Kristin Johnson, Edward Jones Chief Human Resources Officer. “We continue to invest in programs that build community and support the development of our associates. These programs provide professional impact, opportunities for mentorship and networking, increase client retention and create a sense of belonging within the firm. When associates are comfortable bringing their best selves to their work, they can bring their best to our clients and the families we are privileged to serve.”

The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five broad categories:

• Non-discrimination policies
• Employment benefits
• Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion
• Public commitment to LGBTQ equality
• Responsible citizenship

Edward Jones offers domestic partner benefits, transgender inclusive benefits and associate volunteer self-identification. Established in 2014, the firm’s 600-plus strong LGBT+ and Allies Business Resource Group, which regularly meets to cultivate relationships, generate ideas and develop strategies to build and retain an inclusive workforce, champions Edward Jones’ participation in, and sponsorship of, the St. Louis and Tempe Pride parades.

The results of this year’s CEI showcase how 1,059 U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ-friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad.

The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

Edward Jones once again has been named a top company for training. The firm ranked No. 25 on Training magazine’s 2020 Training Top 125 list.

On the prestigious list for the 20th consecutive year, Edward Jones was the top-ranked financial services firm.

Training magazine announced the winning companies Feb. 24 at a black-tie awards gala during its Training 2020 Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL. The magazine ranks companies’ excellence in employer-sponsored training and development programs tied to corporate strategic goals and business impact.

“We believe truly amazing things can happen when associates are given the opportunity to unlock their potential through continuous learning, mentoring and professional development,” Edward Jones Chief Human Resources Officer Kristin Johnson said. “We are honored to be recognized in this way – but the real winners are our clients who benefit from associates who have the training, tools and support to help them achieve their most important financial and life goals.”

Edward Jones consistently earns high marks as an employer of choice in national rankings. For the 21st year, Edward Jones was named one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For 2020.” The firm took the No. 7 overall spot on the exclusive ranking.

For the 11th time, Edward Jones ranks “Highest in Employee Advisor Satisfaction among Financial Investment Firms” by J.D. Power.

Edward Jones financial advisors gave the highest satisfaction ratings in all the six study categories, with an overall score of 920 points out of 1,000. This compares to the employee average of 711. Edward Jones was among the 7 employee channel firms captured in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study.

“This is a genuine honor because it demonstrates that Edward Jones is a place of belonging, which is a priority we’ve set for ourselves,” said Edward Jones Principal Chuck Orban. “Even as our firm has grown to more than 18,200 U.S. financial advisors, our culture allows us to work in partnership to provide world-class service and advice. As a result, financial advisors are empowered to develop deep relationships with clients over the arc of their lives, knowing they are making a meaningful difference both with their clients and in their communities. We believe that’s key to why financial advisors stay with Edward Jones.”

Between January and April 2020, financial advisors were asked to rate their firms in terms of leadership and culture, products and marketing, professional development, operational support, technology, and compensation.

Among the categories measured, Edward Jones’ ranked highest in all of them, and a full 10 percentage points higher than the 2020 employee average.

Edward Jones has been the top performer among employee channel firms in 11 J.D. Power advisor satisfaction studies, which were completed in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012-2015, 2017-2020.

Learn more about working as a financial advisor as a new career or why you should consider moving your practice to Edward Jones as an experienced advisor.

For the 21st time, Edward Jones is named one of the 2020 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® by Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE magazine. Edward Jones took the No. 7 spot on the prestigious list, the 16th year the firm has ranked in the top 10.

Great Place to Work®, a global people analytics and consulting firm, analyzed responses from more than 650,000 employees at Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM organizations across the US. The firm evaluated more than 60 elements of team members’ experience on the job. These included the extent to which employees trust leaders, the respect with which people are treated, the fairness of workplace decisions, and how much camaraderie there is among the team.

Rankings are based on employees’ feedback. Workplaces are recognized for including all employees, regardless of their role in the organization.

“It’s critical that we foster an associate workplace experience – like the experience we create for our clients – of feeling understood, informed, secure and in control in their professional lives,” said Edward Jones Managing Partner Penny Pennington. “As managing partner, it is my role to create an environment that unlocks the potential of our associates and creates a sense of belonging for all. We attract, hire and retain many talented people with diverse perspectives, and this cultivates an environment of openness, creativity, innovation and trust. It is humbling to be recognized for our leadership, continuous learning and providing a sense of belonging for all as we seek to create an exceptional client and associate experience.”

The FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list is one of a series of rankings by Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE Magazine based on employee feedback. Edward Jones also was ranked as a Best Workplace for Millennials, Parents, and in the Financial Services and Insurance industry by Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE in 2019.

“The 100 Best show the way forward,” said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work®. “These companies have created Great Places to Work for All—for everyone, no matter who a person is or what they do for the organization. As a result, they have built a path to realize the promise of artificial intelligence, gain strength from a diversity of perspectives, and thrive during downturns.”

From FORTUNE ©2020 FORTUNE Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. FORTUNE and FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. FORTUNE and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Edward Jones Investments.

Applying for your dream job doesn’t have to be intimidating. Use these tips to help you decide if you should apply now or take some time to improve on necessary skills or experience for the position.

Are you qualified?

Do you meet at least 70% of the job qualifications? If you are confident in the relevant skills you possess, then apply. Use your cover letter to inform the potential employer why you’re interested in learning skills you may be lacking.

Is your experience a good fit?

If the job you want requires more experience then you have, look at where you fall short. If you’re only one or two years short, apply — especially if you have many of the skills required.

Are your skills a match?

Can you learn key skills for this position on the job or through personal learning? If you can gain these skills while maintaining strong performance at work, now might be the right time for you to apply.

Are you a good cultural fit?

Applying for a new job isn’t just about skills. When it comes to searching for a new employer, it’s also important that you are a good fit with the company’s culture. Look at the company’s website or social media and talk to any employees you know that work for their company. You can tell a lot about a company’s values and culture through these sources. Before you apply, make sure this is an environment that would help you thrive.

Following these tips can help you confidently apply for the next step in your career. Take time to evaluate what skills you may need moving forward to help guide you on the right path. Exploring new opportunities is an exciting time and can open your eyes to what you want in the future.

Meet Financial Advisor Bernie Franko from Greensboro, North Carolina, who recently shared with us why he decided to join Edward Jones – twice. Bernie first came to the firm as a financial advisor in 1998 after working as an intern for his parents’ financial advisor.

Bernie eventually decided to pursue work at a smaller firm and left Edward Jones in 2002. During the financial crisis in 2008, the firm was acquired by a larger bank. Bernie decided to return to Edward Jones in 2014. Today, he serves on his region’s growth team and is actively involved in the region.

Why did you return to Edward Jones?

“I returned to Edward Jones because I knew the consistency and the stability of the firm. I understood the value of what the firm has to offer, and that always appealed to me. Previously, I had worked in an office of 30 people, but it wasn’t the same collaborative spirit.”

How was the transition for you and your clients?

“It’s been fantastic for my clients and my family. I give kudos to Jill Willard, my Senior Branch Office Administrator (BOA), who has been enormously helpful in my transition back to the firm. She has made a huge difference in providing better service and building more trust to our clients.”

“It’s nice to have an experienced professional dedicated entirely to serving our clients and to partnering with me. Clients who moved with me tell me how much they appreciate receiving better service at Edward Jones. I feel grateful and privileged to be back.”

What improvements have you noticed since you left the firm?

“The biggest improvement I see is in our client-facing tools. They’re engaging and easy to use. Clients are more comfortable, which builds greater trust, so I can dive a little deeper. I use the Financial Foundation tool to create scenarios and change data live on the screen. I can make it as complex or as simple as needed, which offers a real service to our clients.”

“Also, I now can show my clients what they really want to know, such as how their investments are performing in real time and when they can retire. It helps transition the conversation from being about investment performance to helping them work toward achieving their goals. It’s wonderful to do a presentation for clients and share that their financial picture allows them to make decisions that they want to make, not ones they have to make.”

What do you see as the Edward Jones Opportunity?

“I serve on the growth team now and share my story with candidates because I’ve seen both sides of the fence. I tell them about the certainties here and that our firm is a stable partnership. I tell them about the support we receive from a dedicated BOA and from the home office.”

“Finally, I tell them about the advantages of our business model and how we value independence. We don’t use a “top-down” approach with a branch manager driving the business focus. The real opportunity at our firm is to run our own practice with the support of our home office. I can tell a difference when I call the home office at Edward Jones, compared to where I was before. The people I talk to are eager to help. And, thanks to our partnership business model, we can take the long-term view and do what’s best for our clients.”

If you’re thinking about what’s next in your career, consider learning why the Edward Jones financial advisor opportunity may be the investment of your lifetime.

Chad Burkhalter made the challenging decision to leave Edward Jones to pursue the role of an independent financial advisor. 12 years later, he’s returned. We sat down with him to learn why he chose to bring his practice to Edward Jones.

What made you return to Edward Jones?

I missed the camaraderie and the relationships I built with other people. The downside of being on your own is that you’re really on an island.

How are you able to focus more on clients with Edward Jones?

I have the opportunity to run my business the way I want, without having to worry about payroll, office problems and anything else that could go wrong with running a business. Since I don’t have to spend time working on those things, I can completely focus on my clients.

What are the advantages of working with Edward Jones?

We train our financial advisors, and everyone has the opportunity to grow. When someone is an independent financial advisor, that type of support doesn’t exist.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity of working at Edward Jones?

We all have the freedom to run our practices and focus on our clients. If someone is willing to do the work, the opportunity is limitless. What we put into this opportunity is what we get out of it – there are always new ways to challenge ourselves, continue to grow and take our work to another level.

Considering a new pathway? Discover if the financial advisor opportunity may be right for you and how Edward Jones seeks to develop your continued ambition.

Considering a Financial Advisor career with Edward Jones? Hear from one of our Financial Advisors about what it’s like to build a practice in the digital age.

We recently met with Ben Zuckerman to talk about his financial services practice and learn how he uses social media to build more quality relationships within his community. After watching his father build a 27-year Financial Advisor career with Edward Jones, Ben realized that he wanted to pursue a similar career path and put his professional skills to work. Now, Ben utilizes several social media platforms to stay in contact with his current clients and find new ones as well.

What’s your primary focus when using social media?

“I focus on identifying the right people to connect with. My goal is to connect with people who will be great client partners and centers of influence. I look for those ‘stars of the city’ and try to identify the folks that are making waves in their industries.”

How do you build stronger client relationships using social media?

“Social media allows me to understand some history and background about who people are, where they come from and what they are into. During an appointment, our agenda can prevent me from gathering all those minor, but important details from a client. Initially, there is little time for building rapport, and that is a critical part of what we do. Social media lets me see things that I might have missed otherwise.”

What is your preferred social media site and why?

“LinkedIn. It’s a professional social network where I can have engaging conversations with others that add value to my practice. I use a Facebook business page to post about community service and firm news. On both LinkedIn and Facebook, I try to convey who I am as a Financial Advisor.”