At a time when many U.S. businesses are experiencing zero growth or are actually downsizing, the financial services firm Edward Jones is aggressively expanding its number of financial advisers.

With healthy aggressive growth a substantial goal, the firm will host a career seminar and broadcast at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Edward Jones in the Stein Mart Shopping Center off U.S. 15-501 in Southern Pines. Anyone planning to attend is asked to register by calling (910) 692-8628.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business - from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices - is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work, a company news release said.

The firm's 12,000-plus financial advisers work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals - from college savings to retirement - and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy, the release said.

Edward Jones ranked No. 11 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2011.

The Edward Jones recruiting website is www.careers.edward-jones.com.

Edward Jones financial advisers come from diverse backgrounds. Teachers, bankers and engineers all have joined the ranks of Edward Jones