Financial sales agents
need to be able to think analytically.
Individuals who are interested in finance and enjoy spending time with other people should consider looking into the profession of financial sales. These individuals reach out to clients in order to sell financial services. People holding this position are also often referred to as "financial services sales agents."
Education
To be a competitive applicant for a financial services job at a bank or other credit institution, individuals should possess a college degree. Typical areas of study include business, finance, accounting, economics and marketing as these areas provide training that could be helpful for this job. Many companies also offer on-the-job training to enhance this college education. Those wishing to sell insurance policies and mutual funds are often required to undergo specialized training (the specifics of which vary by employer).
Skills
It is crucial for financial sales agents to have strong interpersonal skills. They need to have solid sales ability and to be able to relate to clients. These individuals should also be able to think analytically and be able to explain complex concepts to customers who don't understand complex financial policies. Additionally, because of frequent rejection, financial sales agents need to be confident.
Duties
Financial sales agents perform a wide variety of banking related services. Often they are in charge of trying to sell services such as deposit accounts, loans, lines of credit, inventory financing, sales, mutual funds, investment services, cash management, credit card options or certificates of deposit. They reach out to potential clients and markets in order to ascertain their needs from a finance company. Financial sales agents then must explain the benefits of the service offered by their company and tailor it to the customer's desires.
Work Environment
Typically, financial sales agents work standard 40-hour work weeks. They spend most of their time in comfortable office settings; however, they may have to attend civic functions and trade association meetings and have travel to other businesses to reach out to customers. Though this job requires a significant amount of time working with other people, it does not typically foster a stressful environment.
Salary
According to May 2009 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the average mean annual salary for these professionals is $66,930 per year. This equates to a mean hourly wage of $43.94 per hour. The middle 50 percent of financial sales agent earned between $39,310 and $118,640 each year.
Job Outlook
Job prospects for this field often follow the stock market. As it increases, more positions open, but while it is low, job prospects are limited. In a competitive market, entry-level financial sales jobs in a small firm are easier to obtain than in a large company .
