stockbrokers info

gday everyone,

just wondering if anything could tell what it takes to be stockbroker in the uk, like if you are offered an apprenticeship what exams are involved or work xtra???

by the way i'm a chiropractor

I was advised to get the SII Rules and Regs exam followed by the Securities exam.

Hope you don't mind cold calling, starting out it seems to be what they have everyone do. When I started I was given shareholder lists and told to phone through them, introduce the company, send out company info packs that sort of thing. Then when they are ready they are passed up to someone more senior, who deals them stock.

Not seen many apprentice type positions as such, seems to be you just have to know how to sell. Confidence is definitly a big plus on the phones, as is understanding the products. A sales background will definitly aid you aswell.

Starting salary without the exams I think your looking at between 15-18k. Of course all the big money is made in commision in this game.

You have to do a regs paper and a securities paper & they are both multiple guess exams - plenty of essex boy types become brokers - the exams really aren't anything to be worried about.

What you do need to be sure of is your sales ability so before you quit everything to get a job as a broker why not get yourself a part time telesales job. If you come top of the board consistently and beat every other salesman there then you might stand a chance as a broker - if you don't then you've saved yourself a lot of stress and trouble.

I'd question whether you actually want to be a broker though as a lot of people use it as a catch all term to describe anyone who works in the city - I'm sure it appeals to some and the money isn't bad either but do you really want to spend your life bashing numbers on a phone trying to close the next deal?