The Most Unusual Job Interview Ever Conducted; I Hired A Felon
By: Brian Dickens Barrabee
Tags: Financial Planning, Jobs, Business, Humor, Crime

Retrospectively, I realized there were a million things I could have said that would have been more apropos but I’ve always thought, to second guess is to come in second.

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash

Many years ago, when Brooks and I were increasing our money under management, periodically we’d advertise for people who would like to persue a career in financial planning.

We’d usually get a few people who answered our ads which were in the local papers and occasionally on radio and television.

Our hiring process was simple: interviews with either Brooks or me. If you passed that careful personality screening and background check; our licensed firm would sponsor you for the required NASD exam.

At that time, the exam was administered and the licence to do business was issued by the National Association of Security Dealers.

The NASD was a securities self governing body that was absorbed in 2007 into the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA, has now taken their place as the self regulating non-governmental organization that currently issues licenses and regulates member firms.

Oh, there are myriads of tests you can take after the Series 7 to add letters of the alphabet to your title. But that’s the only one required to legally be a financial planner.

The whole process takes about a month of cramming to pass an entensive test. It use to be 125 challenging multiple choice questions. It was an appropriate measure of the time you gave to paying attention in the cram course given by the firm. We were proud of our misleading 90% pass rate (maximum number of times a canadate could take the test to achieve a passing grade — infinite).

A man who’d seen our ad on a local TV feed for “ A fulfilling career in financial planning” came into my office for an interview.

If I could sculpt the image of a person (Wilson) who looked like a trustworthy, responsible, fiduciary in whom you would entrust your financial future it was this guy. Great background too, Fox Business School grad, worked in the education profession ( college level) for the prior 12 years. Left for personal reasons.

Good pedigree

That coupled with his strong, take charge personality made Wilson seem perfect for the job.

Hell, I was thinking of not only hiring him but asking him to pose for the cover photo on our company brochure.

Toward the end of our interview both of us seemed more than please with each other —

The bombshell:

“Brian,” Wilson addressed me in a very serious manner. “You know in sales classes they tell you to sell the sizzle and not the steak?” he went on to question.

Pretty sophisiticated way to look that type of sales thing for a college professor.

“Well, I’ve talked about the the sizzle; now the steak,” he said.

In a flat, deadpan voice that was devoid of emotion Wilson informed me that: “When we were arguing — I accidentally shot my wife.”

As I was picking myself off the floor. I managed to mumble out, “Is she dead?”

Retrospectively, I realize there were a million things I could have said that would have been more apropos but I’ve always thought, to second guess is to come in second.

The future financial planner tossed my question off cheerily, “Oh no,a few days in the hospital and she was released. We’re divorced now.” he gleefully informed me.

I was scuffling to regain my equilibrium. “Was it a jail kind of accident?” I questioned lamely.

“Oh, I did 11 months at Chester County Minimum Security,” Wilson said in a tone of voice that would be suitable for describing an unpleasant summer at the Jersey Shore.

We shook hands when he left the office. I told him that I’d give him a call about the position as a financial planner in about a week.

I always hate to disappoint people who look for employment and somehow don’t measure up.

Wilson probably would be a successful financial planner. I can see him grasping the concepts of financial planning quickly and I can see his clients enjoying dealing with him. He certainly is intelligent and looks the part.

Could Wilson ever get an NASD license with a felony? Chances, probably less than nothing.

Yikes, I might even lose the firm’s license by asking.

I mulled over the prospect of Wilson joining the firm for the next couple of days. I couldn’t vouch for his domestic stability but he covered all bases when it came to being a financial planner as an employee.

I truly did feel he may deserve a 2nd chance at a professional life. Almost everyone does.

I felt the obligation to call up the NASD in Washington to find out their criminal record requirements for someone obtaining a license to do business in securities.

At least I’d have an excuse to tell Wilson that I couldn’t hire him. He can’t get his license to do business.

No way.

That Monday I called the NASD in Washington.

After being transferred around and about I was connected to the entity that issued broker’s licenses. The license that Wilson needed to become a financial planner with our firm.

Man from the NASD friendly for the moment: “Hello, what can I do for you?”

Me hesitatingly identifying myself and mentioning that I was a principle of a firm in Philadelphia who was hiring new brokers — one in particular: “Ummm — errr, I have a man who came in for an interview, he seems eminently qualified — except for one thing.”

Man from the NASD still friendly: “What’s the problem?”

Me here goes, I’ll tell him exactly as told to me, in a flat deadpan voice: “He was argueing with his wife and accidently shot her.”

Silence on the other end.

As I was ducking under my desk waiting for my phone to explode. I heard activity on the receiver.

Man from the NASD: “Oh — I’ve often wanted to do that.”

“As long as he hasn’t embezzled or stolen any money, he’s good to go,” the Man from the NASD went on to explain.

I was pleased to deliver the good news to Wilson.

He went on to pass his test with flying colors.

He was issued his license.

He failed to make 1 sale in the 6 months he was employed before he quit.

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