commodity-trader/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — commodity trader

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 41-3031.00 (Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 3324; 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.