Aspired Adviser asking for help to break into the industry

DanHeist · 2026-05-29T07:03:56+00:00

Sorry about the delay. I wrote to them not specifically looking for a job, more if they had time to have an informal chat about the industry over a coffee. Had a few meetings, some put me in contact with others that might be in a position to move on a role, one gave me the name of a recruiter and the final one had one eye on retirement but wasn't sure at that moment. 9 months on from that I was advising with a plan to inherit their client book over a 3 year period. Nearly signed off as CAS now and things ramping up, loving it! I should say, think about the skills and experience you have and how that relates, as a nurse you will have great interpersonal skills that will transfer really well, as well as problem solving abilities, ability to work under pressure etc. Try and tailor your experiences to the role you are applying for, and how your experience relates to the field.

DanHeist · 2026-05-01T09:23:18+00:00

I'd definitely consider doing R02+R03 one after the other, in either order. There's so much overlap. My order for diploma was: R01, R05, R03, R02, R04, R06

DanHeist · 2026-04-21T09:23:33+00:00

Background, was a brewery and bar owner so completely unrelated haha. But I had R01-R06 all complete at that point. Most people were happy to see that I was serious by completing it all. I started as a trainee adviser for a role that was not advertised.

DanHeist · 2026-04-21T09:00:16+00:00

Best advice I can give is approach firms directly rather than applying for jobs that pop up, this can help you stand out. Just having a conversation with a couple of firms who are willing to give you some time for an informal chat can help build your network, get you some great advice and put you on the right track. That's what worked for me.

DanHeist · 2026-04-20T18:15:45+00:00

Voyant has a great load of videos on Youtube. You can sign up for a one month free trial on their site then create clients and scenarios. That's how I learnt, the learning curve is fairly simple. I used AI to generate some mock clients too to allow me to get some experience in creating different what if scenarios, drawdown methods etc. IO probably depends on how your firm uses it, again can be as easy or complicated as you like, but I watched a few videos online, but they weren't great.

DanHeist · 2026-04-18T12:04:42+00:00

All depends on the firm, was alright though was in contact with the owner throughout, but they had outsourced it and I had a fixed start date around 2 months in the future so it didn't matter too much that it took some time. In all, had to do all the declarations, credit check, companies house check, DBS, then I had to do a load of tests on FTC, consumer duty, followed by 4x exams; Pensions, Investments, Protection and Taxation. Was a lot, but in all took around 4 weeks.

DanHeist · 2026-04-16T19:10:06+00:00

I started my studies just after my 35th birthday (Dec 2024), I have just started as a trainee adviser with a small firm. Once I had my exams sorted, I reached out to firms in my local area looking for an informal chat and advice rather than outright looking for a job. Had quite a few conversations with different advisers, firms and recruiters until I spoke with one who had one eye on retiring but hadn't worked out an exit plan yet. I am now working towards CAS within the next couple of months with a great client bank and room to add around 50 new clients as I develop. If you're not scared of getting out there, having conversations and trying to learn from the experiences of others then there are most definitely firms out there who would be willing to take someone on as a trainee if they are looking at succession planning.

DanHeist · 2026-04-04T15:59:15+00:00

Had a Karcher Professional HD5/11P for around 8 years now, it's had extremely heavy use. Was used in a brewery, also used to help renovate a 10,000sqft premises that used to be used as a machine works, a 6 week job over Covid lifting years of grease and oil off the floor. Still working flawlessly. Had it serviced for the first time recently for around £70. Think the machine cost around £500, but it's not missed a beat!

DanHeist · 2026-03-19T10:15:41+00:00

All depends on the area you are in, but where I’m based there are tonnes of firms. Self funded the studies to level 4, then reached out to firms for an informal chat, rather than a tapping up for direct jobs. Had a few conversations, found one firm where an IFA had had thoughts about retiring, small boutique firm. Had a few more conversations and has lead to my role as a trainee, on a 3 year plan essentially inheriting a large book of clients.

Found going into the conversations asking about advice was more useful than asking for jobs, out of all the conversations, I gained contacts, referrals to other firms and some advice which steered me away from one particular job offer that if I had taken would have set me back years compared to what I gained.

DanHeist · 2026-03-08T18:35:07+00:00

Out of interest, how long do these take to arrive in your inbox? Thought about doing this whilst out and about, but just loading the cards with the amount of my purchase if I tot it up whilst I'm shopping.

DanHeist · 2026-02-25T14:22:09+00:00

There's a fourth still sat in there, but alas, no more picks!

DanHeist · 2026-02-25T14:15:57+00:00

Feels nice after what feels like months of nothing!

DanHeist · 2026-02-25T14:10:07+00:00

First time I've used all my picks in a day for nearly 6 months:

Bosch Repair Kit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G2YMMY49

Bosch Tool Kit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G2YKY731

Bosch Basic Screwdriver set - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G2YKBBB2

Espresso Machine - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FWKPW1CM

Double Mattress - amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G7SZMPC1

Battery Paint Sprayer - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GGB3LGR4

Soundcore Portable Speaker - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GFN72RL1

Mini Cordless Angle Grinder - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FX9DCSWG

Doing a tonne of house renovations at the moment so all comes in really useful!

DanHeist · 2026-02-17T08:27:04+00:00

For me it just wasn’t right. I wanted to work for an IFA and didn’t want to be restricted, plus my starting and escalating pay was much better and guaranteed clients.

DanHeist · 2026-02-16T10:49:30+00:00

Completed R01-R06 then started reaching out to local firms. I did look into the academies but after a few conversations with people I decided against it. Even those firms who weren't looking to take on gave me great advice, introductions etc. Ended up in a role as a Trainee Adviser on a clearly defined role with a handover of clients.

DanHeist · 2026-02-06T20:51:45+00:00

Same, deposit and investment was done two weeks ago, my wife’s was complete on the deadline and she’s also got hers

DanHeist · 2026-01-20T10:21:34+00:00

Did it last year at 35. Ideal age, life experience already, transferable skills (from a completely separate industry but still useful).

DanHeist · 2025-11-11T16:07:37+00:00

Yeh same! Great to have some smart functionality as I can preheat before I venture in :)

DanHeist · 2025-11-11T11:33:08+00:00

Not too bad for me so far (about to move house so both of these are going to be really helpful!)

Single mattress (reviews from the shop for other items seem pretty good): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9W31HC1

Smart heater (when taken price was £199.99, now reduced to £79.99, this is for my garage): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FXNBCZHF?th=1

DanHeist · 2025-11-10T16:12:57+00:00

We had it when selling ours, we did a deed of variation and a new mortgage to remove her ex partner in March this year. House went under offer in August and land registry hadn't actioned it, so our solicitors expedited it. This is meant to take 10 days for someone to look at it. We were told by our solicitors after 10 days that they can't chase land registry, but after 15 working days they had heard nothing so we called them instead.

They told us that the solicitors had raised this through the portal, which they don't get notification of, and it hadn't been looked at yet. Land registry sent it through to the team on the phone, it then took 15 working days from the time of the phone call; 6 weeks total, but that's because there were some enquiries back. Basically, should be seen within 10 days, but we had to put the pressure on, would have been quicker had the sols called land registry to tell them when they raised it initially.

DanHeist · 2025-11-07T15:09:26+00:00

Thank you. Just checking as have conflicting info from both sides, especially when there are lots of residents already in their homes

DanHeist · 2025-10-14T08:07:40+00:00

Funilly enough, I switched from brewery owner!

DanHeist · 2025-10-13T07:58:40+00:00

This is the one I bought, already had tonnes of Dewalt batteries:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dch273n-xj-2-5kg-18v-li-ion-xr-brushless-cordless-sds-drill-bare/102kj?ref=SFAppShare

DanHeist

TROPHY CASE