Career path: Trading and Sales
Navigate markets to connect opportunities and implement market ideas.
Fast-paced and dynamic, Trading and Sales is more than just buying and selling securities – it’s about providing liquidity (the ability to quickly buy or sell assets without causing a big change in price) and advice to clients to execute their investment strategies efficiently and effectively.
Useful skillsets
- Analytical and quantitative
- Attention to detail
- Curiosity
- Adaptability
- Communication
What is Trading and Sales?
Traders play a critical role in providing liquidity, enabling efficient capital allocation, and managing risk. The skill and speed of a trader can mean the difference between billions in profit or loss.
Sales professionals, on the other hand, engage with clients daily to understand their needs, offer strategic advice, and collaborate closely with traders to ensure seamless execution of client orders.
Sales and Trading Professional
Think Trading and Sales might be the right fit for you? Explore what the first step could look like as an early career Sales and Trading Professional.
Career trajectory
Senior Trader
Actively buys and sells financial products like stocks or bonds, using market analysis and trading strategies to maximize returns for clients or the firm.
Head of Structuring and Strategy
Designs complex financial products and develops market strategies to meet client needs and improve trading opportunities.
Head of FICC/ Equity/Equity Derivatives Trading
Manages the traders who buy and sell bonds, stocks, and related financial products, aiming to maximize returns for the firm or clients by deciding when and what to trade.
Head of FICC/ Equity/ Equity Derivatives Sales
Leads the sales team that sells financial products related to bonds, stocks, and stock-based contracts to clients, helping them choose the right investments.
Begin your career journey with a strong foundation
The CFA Institute Investment Foundations® Certificate gives you essential building blocks of knowledge, helping you confidently begin a career in finance. Available to full-time students for just USD 79.
Find out where you fit in finance
Take the ICAN Finance Career Quiz and in a few minutes, you’ll discover personalized career paths to explore further, based on your skills, strengths, passions, and values.