Job Description of a Series 6 Employee

Series 6 employees or sales agents are individuals who are paid to sell certain types of investment products. The term, "Series 6" comes from the test that agents must pass before being able to legally sell investment products.

Function

Series 6 sales agents meet with customers to discuss their investment goals and financial needs. Based on these conversations, agents make recommendations to their customers as to how to best invest their money.

Types of Investments

Series 6 sales agents are legally permitted to sell most types of mutual funds, variable and fixed annuities, and some types of life insurance products. Agents with only a Series 6 license cannot sell stocks or bonds.

Skills

Successful Series 6 employees possess sales, communication and listening skills and the ability to explain abstract concepts in a way that is easy to understand. The ability to interpret financial reports and prospectuses, and to use computer software like spreadsheets and e-mail is generally necessary as well.

Education and Licensure

Most employers prefer to hire Series 6 employees who have a bachelor's degree in a field like business or finance. To receive a license to sell investments in their state, agents take the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Series 6 examination.

Compensation

As of January 2010, Series 6 employees averaged annual salaries of $57,000, according to Indeed.com.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Securities, Commodities and Financial Services Sales Agents
• Indeed.com: Series 6 Agent Salaries
• Investopedia.com: Series 6