# Tasks & work activities — foreign exchange trader

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 41-3031.00 (Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 3311; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.
- **[Core]** Monitor markets or positions.
- **[Core]** Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
- **[Core]** Keep accurate records of transactions.
- **[Core]** Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
- **[Core]** Complete sales order tickets and submit for processing of client-requested transactions.
- **[Core]** Report all positions or trading results.
- **[Core]** Interview clients to determine clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, or financial objectives.
- **[Core]** Discuss financial options with clients and keep them informed about transactions.
- **[Core]** Determine customers' financial services needs and prepare proposals to sell services that address these needs.
- **[Supplemental]** Sell services or equipment, such as trusts, investments, or check processing services.
- **[Core]** Identify opportunities or develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
- **[Core]** Develop financial plans, based on analysis of clients' financial status.
- **[Core]** Review all securities transactions to ensure accuracy of information and conformance to governing agency regulations.
- **[Core]** Contact prospective customers to present information and explain available services.
- **[Core]** Devise trading, option, or hedge strategies.
- **[Core]** Track and analyze factors that affect price movement, such as trade policies, weather conditions, political developments, or supply and demand changes.
- **[Core]** Inform other traders, managers, or customers of market conditions, including volume, price, competition, or dynamics.
- **[Core]** Offer advice on the purchase or sale of particular securities.
- **[Supplemental]** Evaluate costs and revenue of agreements to determine continued profitability.
- **[Core]** Explain stock market terms or trading practices to clients.
- **[Core]** Calculate costs for billings or commissions.
- **[Core]** Prepare financial reports to monitor client or corporate finances.
- **[Core]** Supply the latest price quotes on any security, as well as information on the activities or financial positions of the corporations issuing these securities.
- **[Supplemental]** Supervise support staff and ensure proper execution of contracts.
- **[Supplemental]** Relay buy or sell orders to securities exchanges or to firm trading departments.
- **[nan]** Negotiate prices or contracts for securities or commodities sales or purchases.
- **[nan]** Prepare and send requests for price quotations to all companies in a particular market.
- **[nan]** Price securities or commodities based on market conditions.
- **[nan]** Purchase or sell financial derivatives for customers.

## Detailed work activities

- Analyze business or financial data.
- Analyze market conditions or trends.
- Calculate costs of goods or services.
- Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
- Coordinate activities with suppliers, contractors, clients, or other departments.
- Customize financial products or services to meet customer needs.
- Develop professional relationships or networks.
- Develop proposals for current or prospective customers.
- Estimate costs or terms of sales.
- Explain financial information to customers.
- Explain technical product or service information to customers.
- Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
- Gather information in order to provide services to clients.
- Identify investment opportunities or strategies.
- Maintain records of sales or other business transactions.
- Monitor market conditions or trends.
- Monitor sales activities.
- Negotiate prices or other sales terms.
- Negotiate purchases or contracts.
- Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
- Prepare sales or other contracts.
- Process sales or other transactions.
- Purchase products or services.
- Review accuracy of sales or other transactions.
- Sell products or services.
- Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
- Supervise sales or support personnel.