How To Become a Financial Services Sales Agent

What degree do you need

One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Financial Services Sales Agents or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Financial Services Sales Agents what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Sales Agents, Financial Services generally must have a bachelor’s degree to get an entry-level job. Degrees in business, finance, accounting, or economics are important, especially for larger firms. Numerous agents eventually get a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), which is often a requirement for high-level positions in the financial industry.

How hard is it

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Financial Services Sales Agent. For example, an electrician must complete three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Careers in this difficulty category will usually need 1 or 2 years of on-the-job training and informal training with experienced workers. These careers usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Similar careers include hydroelectric production managers, travel agents, electricians, court reporters, and medical assistants.

License and certifications

Sales Agents, Financial Services must register as representatives of their firm with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). To obtain the license, potential agents must pass a series of exams. Many other licenses are available, each of which gives the holder the right to sell different investment products and services. Traders and some other sales representatives also need licenses, although these vary by firm and specialization. Financial services sales agents may need to be licensed, especially if they sell securities or insurance.

Skills required

We asked other Financial Services Sales Agents if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Financial Services Sales Agents are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

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