Occupation Details
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.
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Interests
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$70,690.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$155,900.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$210,890.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
67,450
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
69,900
+245 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
6,091
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.0%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 10-key calculators
- Computer data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Mobile computing devices
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
Technology
- ADP/Vantra VOLTS
- BondDesk Group Trader WorkStation
- C++
- CQG Integrated Client
- CSI Complex Systems ClientTrade
- Citi The Yield Book Calculator
- Customer information control system CICS
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Database management software
- Derivicom FinOptions XL
- Email software
- FileMaker Pro
- Fixed income alternative trading systems ATS
- Fund accounting software
- FundCount Web
- Graphics software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- monitor credit extension decisions
- motivate people
- motivate people
- advise clients or customers
- advise clients or customers
- advise clients on financial matters
- advise clients on financial matters
- maintain records, reports, or files
- maintain records, reports, or files
- prepare reports
- prepare reports
- fill out business or government forms
- evaluate product quality for sales activities
- evaluate product quality for sales activities
- collect payment
- provide customer service
- provide customer service
- answer customer or public inquiries
- maintain account records
- complete information on loan forms
- complete information on loan forms
- maintain telephone logs
- maintain telephone logs
- conduct sales presentations
- conduct sales presentations
- sell products or services
- sell products or services
- sell securities services
- sell securities services
- solicit orders from established or new customers
- inform clients of fluctuations affecting account
- analyze financial data
- analyze sales activities or trends
- evaluate degree of financial risk
- evaluate degree of financial risk
- analyze social or economic data
- analyze applicant's financial status
- analyze market conditions
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- interview customers
- interview customers
- write business correspondence
- make presentations on financial matters
- make presentations
- follow contract, property, or insurance laws
- follow contract, property, or insurance laws
- use knowledge of economic trends
- use knowledge of economic trends
- use government regulations
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- learn trends in world trade
- use public speaking techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use marketing techniques
- use marketing techniques
- use sales techniques
- use sales techniques
- use knowledge of written communication in sales work
- use knowledge of written communication in sales work
- compute taxes
- compute financial data
- verify bank or financial transactions
- reconcile or balance financial records
- prepare list of prospective customers
- make decisions
- make decisions
- maintain cooperative relationships with clients
- access media advertising services
- access media advertising services
- obtain information from individuals
- obtain information from individuals
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use spreadsheet software
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Negotiate prices or contracts for securities or commodities sales or purchases.
- Prepare and send requests for price quotations to all companies in a particular market.
- Price securities or commodities based on market conditions.
- Purchase or sell financial derivatives for customers.
- Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
- Monitor markets or positions.
- Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
- Keep accurate records of transactions.
- Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
- Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
- Report all positions or trading results.
- Interview clients to determine clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, or financial objectives.
- Discuss financial options with clients and keep them informed about transactions.
- Identify opportunities or develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
- Develop financial plans, based on analysis of clients' financial status.
- Review all securities transactions to ensure accuracy of information and conformance to governing agency regulations.
- Supervise support staff and ensure proper execution of contracts.
- Devise trading, option, or hedge strategies.
- Determine customers' financial services needs and prepare proposals to sell services that address these needs.
- Track and analyze factors that affect price movement, such as trade policies, weather conditions, political developments, or supply and demand changes.
- Inform other traders, managers, or customers of market conditions, including volume, price, competition, or dynamics.
- Offer advice on the purchase or sale of particular securities.
- Relay buy or sell orders to securities exchanges or to firm trading departments.
- Contact prospective customers to present information and explain available services.
- Explain stock market terms or trading practices to clients.
- Calculate costs for billings or commissions.
- Prepare financial reports to monitor client or corporate finances.
- Supply the latest price quotes on any security, as well as information on the activities or financial positions of the corporations issuing these securities.
- Evaluate costs and revenue of agreements to determine continued profitability.
- Sell services or equipment, such as trusts, investments, or check processing services.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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