Security / Commodity / Financial Services Sales Agent

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Broker; Commodities Broker; Equity Trader; Financial Advisor; Financial Consultant; Investment Representative; Investments Advisor; Investments Specialist; Personal Banker; Trader

Tasks

• 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.
• 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.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Economics and Accounting
• English Language
• Sales and Marketing
• Mathematics
• Computers and Electronics
• Administration and Management
• Law and Government
• Administrative

Skills

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Writing
• Mathematics

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Recognition
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Near Vision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Category Flexibility
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Number Facility
• Originality