There’s only so much we here at Junior Broker can tell you about the different prospects, challenges and general lifestyle of a junior broker, but sometimes you just have to let the brokers do the talking. Luckily for you, we’ve managed to speak with a few junior brokers about their daily routine within the job and collated the interviews into one small article.
If you’re someone interested in starting out as a junior broker and don’t know what to expect, this collaboration of ten junior brokers should give you a good idea!
Trading happens 24/7 and to no surprise, the working culture of a junior broker is reflected by this – if you find yourself coming into work any later than 08:00, you’re probably not doing it right. While you join the other early-risers on the tube and/or bus, switch on the WiFi and research any overnight market developments around the world; the goal is to arrive armed with information that can best support your team in time for the London open.
First and foremost, make sure you have a good breakfast – as we all know, food fuels the brain. Most traders offer free fruit, cereal and toast to employees, so don’t be afraid to be 
greedy!
Once you start work and trading begins, quickly sift through any new emails that have arrived in your inbox and talk with any brokers stationed at your company’s international offices to
gauge updated market prices. Some of our brokers mentioned that they also create price sheets first thing in the morning, these are referred to and edited though the day to assure any market changes are constantly recognised.
Unlike your typical office job, it’s impossible to know what your day will hold before it actually begins – some days you’ll be sat around waiting for something to happen, others you’ll be working non-stop and beyond your typical working hours. Generally, a junior broker will support 1-5 brokers on the desk, but you’ll want to make sure you’re aware of anything and everything that develops. Our brokers part of bigger trading companies often work alongside a fellow junior, delegating and sharing tasks between them.
Frequently, you’ll be required to exchange dialogue with London bankers on your specific lines and will notify them of any developments in the market to help with their trading decisions. This is up there one of the most vital parts of a junior broker’s day, as regular contact will ensure you remain the go-to person when these same bankers wish to buy or sell currencies.
Each and every broker we spoke to stated that there is an emphasis on relationship building with their clients and they told of how they become responsible for maintaining individual broking lines once a personal connection has been established, including social activities in and around work. If you’ve not seen someone you work with in person for a while, a bite to eat or some casual drinks will go a long way. Most brokers also have access to corporate hospitality, so take full advantage of this!
By midday, you’ll find yourself in contact with brokers based across the pond as they’ll be gearing up for the day ahead; be ready to inform them and the brokers you work with on the price list you made earlier. Generally, the afternoon is full of developments as the Americans get to work, so keep a clear head and make sure you relay any information accordingly.
Once the typical end-of-work hours arrive, trading will have quietened down and you can look forward to an afternoon to yourself or some drinks with your colleagues. Nine out of ten of our junior brokers said they met up and were close friends with their colleagues away from work, so it’s safe to say the job’s a social one.
It’s important to keep the work-life balance as much as possible and attend any social occasions with your fellow brokers, you never know the contacts they may introduce you to!
At the end of every day, the typical junior broker will welcome a chance to get away from a usually hectic day, but with the responsibilities you are constantly gaining and the experienced brokers you work alongside becoming more acquainted to you, you’ll soon realise you’re a step closer to becoming the fully-fledged broker you set out to be.
