Stock broker jobs are available to financial professionals who are interested in pursuing them. Stock brokers serve as a link between investors and the major exchanges where trades are made. For a fee, full-service brokers not only execute trades on behalf of investors, both retail and institutional, but also provide investment advice on potential opportunities. Discount brokers are more concerned with facilitating orders placed both large and small investors rather than providing additional advice. Stock broker jobs are available at discount brokerage houses as well as financial institutions such as investment banks, with brokerage divisions and employer type influencing the stock broker jobs available.
The level of support provided to clients and the fees generated brokerage firms are the main differences between a discount broker and a full-service broker. Full-service brokers work for large financial institutions, where brokerage and other business lines generate revenue. These professionals take a hands-on approach to providing advice to clients in order to help them achieve their financial goals through investment decisions. Full-service brokers also place buy-and-sell orders on behalf of their clients. Brokerage commissions are frequently based on volume, and full-service brokers may be paid a percentage of each trade.
Many online brokerage firms have discount stock broker positions available. Discount brokers typically do not provide as many services as full-service brokers, but they can often perform trades for clients at a lower cost. Despite the fact that the majority of investment activity takes place online, some discount brokers still meet with clients in person or provide customer service over the phone. Discount brokers’ pay will most likely be in the form of a salary rather than commissions, as is the case with full-service brokerage professionals.
Bilingual stock broker jobs are available in areas where more than one language is spoken. These professionals may be assigned to a local branch that is densely populated people who belong to a culture that is distinct from that of the country’s majority. Depending on the region, the language requirements for a bilingual broker are likely to be very specific. For example, a broker may be fluent in a region’s native language as well as a common second language spoken there, and he or she may specialize in serving clients who speak those languages.