Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities Go Back to List Buy and sell securities in investment and trading firms and develop and implement financial plans for individuals, businesses, and organizations.

Tasks
	Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
	Interview clients to determine clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, or financial objectives.
	Review all securities transactions to ensure accuracy of information and conformance to governing agency regulations.
	Offer advice on the purchase or sale of particular securities.
	Relay buy or sell orders to securities exchanges or to firm trading departments.
	Identify potential clients, using advertising campaigns, mailing lists, or personal contacts.
	Review financial periodicals, stock and bond reports, business publications, or other material to identify potential investments for clients or to keep abreast of trends affecting market conditions.
	Contact prospective customers to determine customer needs, present information, or explain available services.
	Prepare documents needed to implement plans selected by clients.
	Analyze market conditions to determine optimum times to execute securities transactions.

Skills
	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.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Knowledge
	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.
	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.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	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.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.   Related Experience:   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.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $115,855.00 $55.70  $25.22  $28.74 - $63.44  Bridgeport/Stamford $135,715.00 $65.25  $28.84  $31.21 - $74.59  Danbury $81,926.00 $39.39  $23.22  $23.65 - $54.09  Hartford $95,746.00 $46.03  $22.62  $23.19 - $58.57  New Haven $91,370.00 $43.92  $24.28  $27.14 - $47.50  New London/Norwich $97,659.00 $46.95  $23.25  $24.22 - $49.85  Waterbury $86,053.00 $41.38  $22.23  $23.33 - $48.66

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   522   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, but the number of annual openings will offer very good job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.