1. Forex Market Analyst/Currency Researcher/Currency Strategist
A forex market analyst, also called a currency researcher or currency strategist, works for a forex brokerage and performs research and analysis in order to write daily market commentary about the forex market and the economic and political issues that affect currency values. These professionals use technical, fundamental, and quantitative analysis to inform their opinions and must be able to produce high-quality content very quickly to keep up with the fast pace of the forex market. Both individual and institutional traders use this news and analysis to inform their trading decisions.
An analyst might also provide educational seminars and webinars to help clients and potential clients get more comfortable with forex trading. Analysts also try to establish a media presence in order to become a trusted source of forex information and promote their employers. Thus, there is a large marketing component to being a forex analyst.
2. Forex Account Manager/Professional Trader/Institutional Trader
If you have been consistently successful trading forex on your own, you may have what it takes to become a professional forex trader. Currency mutual funds and hedge funds that deal in forex trading need account managers and professional forex traders to make buy and sell decisions. Institutional investors such as banks, multinational corporations, and central banks that need to hedge against foreign currency value fluctuations also hire forex traders. Some account managers even manage individual accounts, making trade decisions and executing trades based on their clients’ goals and risk tolerance.
It’s important to note that these positions have very high stakes. Account managers are responsible for large amounts of money, and their professional reputations and those of their employers are reliant on how well they handle those funds. They are expected to meet profit targets while working with an appropriate level of risk. These jobs may require experience with specific trading platforms, work experience in finance and a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics or business. Institutional traders may not only need to be effective traders in forex, but also commodities, options, derivatives, and other financial instruments.
3. Forex Software Developer
Software developers work for brokerages to create proprietary trading platforms that allow users to access currency pricing data, use charting and indicators to analyze potential trades ,and trade forex online. Qualifications include a bachelor’s in computer science, computer engineering, or a similar degree; operating system knowledge such as UNIX, Linux, and/or Solaris; knowledge of programming languages such as Javascript, Perl, SQL, Python, and/or Ruby; and an understanding in many other technical areas, including back-end frameworks, front-end frameworks, databases, and web servers.
Software developers may not be required to have financial, trading or forex knowledge to work for a forex brokerage, but knowledge in this area will be a major advantage. If you have forex trading experience, chances are you’ll have a much better idea of what customers are looking for in forex software. Software quality is a major differentiator for forex brokerages and a key to the company’s success.
For instance, a brokerage faces serious problems if its clients can’t execute trades when they want or trades are not executed on time because the software doesn’t work properly. A brokerage also needs to attract customers with unique software features and practice trade platforms.
Other positions in forex that require computer-driven experience include user-experience designers, web developers, network and systems administrators, and support technicians.