Career As A Stock Broker

A stock broker is a commissioned agent whoknowledge in:
arranges for selling or buying stocks or other financial1.General knowledge in securities and stocks business
instruments for his or her clients. The stockbroker2.Customer protection laws, procedures and liabilities
sometimes is not needed these days when buying3.Record keeping and administrative procedures
and selling can be done over the internet. Still, theYou will need to check whether your state requires
earning potential of stockbrokers has never shownyou to execute a personal bond. Correspondence
signs of decreasing.courses are also available, which is the most
I Am Not A College Graduate; Can I Become Apreferred mode of study chosen by candidates.
Stockbroker?Isn't Working On Commission A Risky Proposition?
Anyone who is interested can become aIt depends on how you look at it. It can be
stockbroker, provided he has or she has the requisitecompared to the classic case of two people looking
grasp of the subjects required and a goodat a half full glass. However, usually those who think
understanding of the financial markets. Anyone fromthey can make a career in this filed also have an in
high school graduate to a Harvard scholar candepth knowledge and strong belief that they can
become a stockbroker. However, these days it issucceed in the profession. One long Bull run can cover
desirable that aspiring candidates have a collegethe lean periods.
degree due to the complex nature of the job andHow Is the Market Competition?
the larger grasp of the economy that is needed forFor brokers there is usually never a long lean patch,
making technical and commercial financial analyses.even including the sluggish phases that followed the 9
Do I Need A License And What Are The11 attacks. The younger Baby Boomer generation,
Requirements For Obtaining One?with their fast paced investment and lifestyles, keep
Yes; but before you get your license, there areentering the market in search of high returns. A new
exams that you need to pass in order to qualify tobroker need not refrain from approaching clients of
represent clients. Although licensing requirements varythe older, larger brokerage firms. There is always a
from state to state, the overall requirement ischance for winning some of them who are not
roughly the same.satisfied by their services.
National Association of Securities Dealers, or NASD,Stockbrokers also do double duty as investment
conducts this licensing examination which is called theadvisors, real estate agents/brokers etc which
General Securities Registered Representativecomplements their work as well as supplement
Examination, or Series 7 exam. After thisearnings. The idea is to catch the investor to
examination, one is required to put in an internship ofdiversify his investment. If you want to know the
at least 4 months with a registered brokerage firm.earning potential: the median earning was $69,200
Most states also require a secondary examination.while the central half earned between $40,750 and
This is the Uniform Securities Agents State Law$131,290.
Examination, which is devised to test candidates'