Learning Center - Most Common Questions (2024)

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When will my deposited funds be available for trading?

Funds transferred in through electronic ACH have a 3-business day hold on the funds upon effective date which is a day after submitting the request. This hold is for non-marginable securities (over-the-counter stocks, options, futures, forex, etc.). The funds can be used right away for fully marginable securities (generally stocks that are on a stock exchange such as NYSE or NASDAQ).

This is the same for deposited checks, but the hold time is 4 business days from when the check posts to your account.

What is a “Pattern Day Trader”?

A pattern day trader’s (PDT) account is a margin account that has executed more than three roundtrips in a five-business day period. PDT accounts must maintain a day trading minimum equity of $25,000 on any day on which day trading occurs. The $25,000 account-value minimum is a start-of-day value, calculated using the previous trading day's closing prices on positions held overnight. Day trade equity consists of marginable, non-marginable positions, and cash. Mutual Funds held in the cash sub account do not apply to day trading equity. Also, funds held in the Futures or Forex sub-accounts do not apply to day trading equity. To avoid an account restriction, pattern day-trader accounts that fall below the $25,000 minimum equity requirement should not day trade.

Are cash accounts subject to Pattern Day Trading rules?

No. Cash accounts are not subject to Pattern Day Trading rules and as such you would not need to use the day trade counting tools in Thinkorswim.

What happens if I execute more than three roundtrips in a rolling 5 business day period with an account value less than $25,000?

An account that is both A) Flagged as a Pattern Day Trader and B) has less than $25,000 equity will be issued a Day Trade Minimum Equity Call (“EM Call”). The Call does not have to be met with funding, but while in the Call the account should not make any Day Trades. If a Day Trade is made while in the Call the account will be set to Restricted - Closing Only.

My account is now flagged as a pattern day trading account and its value is less than $25,000 what can I do?

We have multiple potential solutions to help with this:

  • We can assist with making a deposit/transfer to the account to bring its value to at least the $25,000 minimum.
  • Cash accounts are not subject to pattern day trading rules. We can assist you with converting a margin account to a cash account, but the cash account would be subject to settlement on each trade placed. (See “In my cash account, when can I use my funds again to trade?” above).
  • We can review your account to see if a day trade flag removal is available on your account.

In my cash account, when can I use my funds again to trade?

Cash account settlement procedures are governed by Federal Regulation T. Reg T states that funds from investments that you sell won't be available to put toward another purchase until the first transaction settles. Reg T settlement times are T+2 (trading day plus two business days) for stock trades and T+1 for options. So, if you bought XYZ on Monday and then sold it on Tuesday the funds wouldn't be available to put toward the purchase of ABC until Wednesday. (Monday, the day of the original purchase, plus two business days = Wednesday.)

In my cash account, when can I withdraw my funds used for trading?

If you want to withdraw the proceeds of a sale from your account, you would have to wait until settlement of the trade – 2 business days from the sale date. Using the example in the above question, the proceeds from the sale of XYZ would be available Thursday (Tuesday, the date of the sale, plus two business days.)

To avoid the settlement times to which Cash accounts are subject you could consider applying for Margin trading. Funds are available for purchase immediately in a Margin account. (Note: Margin accounts must adhere to Finra's Pattern Day Trading rule). Our Margin handbook can be accessed HERE.

Margin trading increases risk of loss and includes the possibility of a forced sale if account equity drops below required levels. Margin is not available in all account types. Margin trading privileges subject to TD Ameritrade review and approval. Carefully review the Margin Handbook and Margin Disclosure Document for more details. Please see our website or contact TD Ameritrade at 800-669-3900 for copies.

What is a good faith funding violation?

Good faith violations occur when clients buy and sell securities before paying for the initial purchases in full with settled funds. Only cash or proceeds from a sale are considered settled funds. Here’s an example of a good-faith violation:

  • On Monday, Janet holds $10,000 worth of XYZ.
  • On Tuesday, Janet sells her entire XYZ position for $10,500, which will settle Thursday.
  • Wednesday morning, Janet buys $10,500 of FAHN on good faith that XYZ’s sale will settle.
  • Wednesday afternoon, Janet sells FAHN for $11,000, making a $500 profit. However, FAHN’s original purchase wasn’t fully paid for because XYZ’s sale hadn’t yet settled.

If this happens three times in a 12-month period, a client will be restricted to trading with settled cash for 90 days.

How can I see my completely settled funds before placing a trade?

Looking atcash available for withdrawal will show you the fully settled funds in your account. Login to www.tdameritrade.com andgo to my account>deposits/transfers>withdraw>transfer from your bank. On the right hand side of the screen it will show a number for cash availablefor withdrawal. If you are using the thinkorswim mobile app this information can be found under more>transfers>to/from bank account.

What are the requirements to get approved for futures trading?

To apply for futures trading approval, your account must have:

  • Margin approval
  • Advanced Features enabled
  • Tier 2 or 3 options approval
  • An account minimum of $1,500 is required for margin accounts.
  • A minimum net liquidation value (NLV) of $25,000 to trade futures in an IRA. Only SEP, Roth, traditional, and rollover IRAs are eligible for futures trading.
  • Additionally, IRA accounts must maintain a minimum net liquidation value (NLV) of $25,000 to trade futures. Only SEP, Roth, traditional, and rollover IRAs are eligible for futures trading.

Please keep in mind that not all clients will qualify, and meeting all requirements doesn't guarantee approval.

If you'd like more information about requirements or to ensure you have the required settings or permissions on your account, contact us at 866-839-1100.

How do I apply for futures approval?

Visittdameritrade.comand log in to your account. Go to Client Services > My Profile > General. Under Elections & Routing, look for Futures, and click Apply.

How can I trade in the pre/post market?

In order for a trade to be eligible to work in the pre or post market, the order needs to be entered as a limit order. In addition the TIF (time in force) needs to be changed from a day order to either ext or gtc_ext. ext orders will work from 6 am to 7 pm central time for 1 trading day.

Standard gtc_ext orders will work from 6 am to 7 pm central time for 180 trading days, or until the order fills. This is most commonly found in over the counter stocks, as well as options which do not trade in the extended hours.

My short option finished out of the money at expiration, is it guaranteed to expire worthless?

Not necessarily. On the day of expiration long option holders have until 4 pm central time, 4:30 best efforts to put in contrarian instructions (such as exercising an option that officially finished out of the money based on the 3 pm central closing price, or putting in a do not exercise on an option that finished in the money). Therefore, there is still risk of being assigned on short options, even if they officially finish out of the money based on the 3 pm central closing price. That is one of the reasons why there is no commission charge for closing out single leg short options for 5 cents or less.

How do I trade in the extended session?

To place trades in the pre and post market, you will need to use a LIMIT order and change the TIF (time in force) to EXT (day plus extended session) or GTC_EXT (good til canceled plus extended session).

Only securities listed on the NASDAQ & NYSE exchanges are eligible for extended session trading. Pre-market hours are from 7am – 9:28am EST. After market is from 4:02pm – 8pm EST.

We do offer 24 hour trading on select securities, and for those orders you will need to use a Limit order and change the TIF (Time in Force) of the order to EXTO (24 hour session for one full day) or GTC_EXTO (24 hour session that is also good til canceled). These orders are 24 hour continuous orders that expire at 8 pm ET each day. You can find more information, including a list of the securities offered in this session, here.

What does Limit Up mean?

Limit Up is a term used in futures trading. It refers to the maximum increase allowed in one trading day on a specific contract. One important thing to note, if a contract goes limit up, it does continue to trade, it just cannot go above the limit up price.

Example:For the S&P 500, Russell 2000, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq 100 Index futures, during non US trading hours (5 PM to 8:30 am Central Time) (5 PM to 8:30 am Central Time) Limit Up is set at 7%, based off of the 3 pm central time futures fixing price. During that time, if the /ES, or /MES goes up 7% from the 3 pm central fixing futures price, limit up rules will be in effect. The contract will continue to trade, but cannot be traded higher than the limit up price, until US trading hours open at 8:30 am central time.

Learning Center - Most Common Questions (2)

What does Limit Down mean?

Limit Down is a term used in futures trading. It refers to the maximum decline allowed in one trading day on a specific contract. One important thing to note, if a contract goes limit down, it does continue to trade, it just cannot go below the limit down price.

Example:For the S&P 500, Russell 2000, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq 100 Index futures, during non US trading hours (5 PM to 8:30 am Central Time) Limit Down is set at 7%, based off of the 3 pm central time futures fixing price. During that time, if the /ES, or /MES goes 7% down from the 3 pm central fixing futures price, limit down rules will be in effect. The contract will continue to trade, but cannot be traded lower than the limit down price, until US trading hours open at 8:30 am central time.

Learning Center - Most Common Questions (3)

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        - Most Common Questions (2024)

FAQs

What are the 10 most common interview questions with answers? ›

  • 10 common interview questions and answers. ...
  • Tell me about yourself. ...
  • What attracted you to our company? ...
  • Tell me about your strengths. ...
  • What are your weaknesses? ...
  • Where do you see yourself in five years? ...
  • Can you tell me about a time where you encountered a business challenge?

What are the 7 most common interview questions and answers pdf? ›

How to master these 7 common interview questions
  • Where do you see yourself in five years time? ...
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses? ...
  • Why should I hire you? ...
  • Tell me about yourself/your work experience. ...
  • Why do you want this job? ...
  • What are your salary expectations? ...
  • Why are you the right fit to succeed in this role?

What is the STAR method when interviewing? ›

The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.

What are the 5 star interview questions? ›

The most common questions are:
  • Tell me about a time when you were faced with a challenging situation. ...
  • Do you usually set goals at work? ...
  • Give me an example of a time you made a mistake at work.
  • Have you ever faced conflict with a coworker? ...
  • Tell me about a time when you handled the pressure well.
Mar 23, 2023

How do you handle stress and pressure? ›

Taking steps to manage stress
  1. Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations create the most stress and how you respond to them. ...
  2. Develop healthy responses. ...
  3. Establish boundaries. ...
  4. Take time to recharge. ...
  5. Learn how to relax. ...
  6. Talk to your supervisor. ...
  7. Get some support.
Jul 1, 2014

What are the 3 most popular questions asked at any interview? ›

Common interview questions
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in working for this company?
  • Tell me about your education.
  • Why have you chosen this particular field?
  • Describe your best/worst boss.
  • In a job, what interests you most/least?
  • What is your major weakness?

How do you pass all interviews? ›

  1. Tell the truth. ...
  2. Listen carefully to the interviewer. ...
  3. Never slight a teacher, friend, employer, or your university. ...
  4. Watch your grammar. ...
  5. Be prepared for personal questions. ...
  6. Wait for the interviewer to mention salary and benefits. ...
  7. Don't expect a job offer at the first interview. ...
  8. Close on a positive, enthusiastic note.

How can I memorize interview answers fast? ›

Here are five ways to help you memorize information for your next interview:
  1. Use your learning style.
  2. Prepare.
  3. Write it out, repetitively.
  4. Use memory devices.
  5. Test yourself.
Feb 3, 2023

Can you bring notes to an interview? ›

It's acceptable to bring notes with you to an interview if the notes contain the questions you plan to ask your interviewer. You might also include questions about the company that you were unable to answer through your research.

What is the Carl technique? ›

CARL stands for: Context: Briefly describe the context of you experience. Action: Explain what actions you took. Results: Explain what happened as a result of your actions. Learning: Identify what you have learned.

What's your greatest weakness? ›

Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.

What are the 6 C's interview questions? ›

Why do we need the 6 Cs? The hiring panel may ask you about the six core values to assess your knowledge. The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice'.

What are some common mistakes to avoid during an interview? ›

15 job interview mistakes to avoid
  • Going in without any research. ...
  • Turning up late. ...
  • Dressing inappropriately. ...
  • Fidgeting with your mobile phone and other distractions. ...
  • Poor body language. ...
  • Unclear answers and rambling. ...
  • Speaking negatively about current or past employers. ...
  • Having zero questions to ask.
Feb 10, 2022

How do I stay calm in stressful situations? ›

Here are a few tips for staying calm in stressful situations.
  1. Breathe. Take a few slow, deep breaths. ...
  2. Count to 10. In the time it takes you to do so, you may be able to look at your situation with a fresh pair of eyes.
  3. Take a walk. ...
  4. Try a 3-Minute Meditation. ...
  5. Practice gratitude. ...
  6. Eat well. ...
  7. Get moving. ...
  8. Let it go.

Why should we hire you? ›

“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”

How do you answer what motivates you? ›

Good Answers to the Tricky Interview Question "What Motivates You?"
  1. learning new things.
  2. acquiring new skills.
  3. meeting deadlines, goals and targets.
  4. coaching others.
  5. improving processes, finding ways to solving problems.
  6. leading a team or being a part of a team.
  7. completing a difficult project.
  8. overcoming challenges.
Feb 24, 2023

What are the 3 C's of interview questions? ›

The three C's are basically confidence, communication and common sense. There is an extremely fine line between confidence and over-confidence. So be sure to understand both well.

What are the three C's for successful interviews? ›

When it comes to interviewing, confidence, competence, and credibility are essential tools for success and often elude even the most experienced investigators.

What is the rule of 3 in interviewing? ›

Instead, remember the rule of three. What three things do you want the interviewer to remember about you? What three things are you most proud of in your life to date and why? What three extra things would you be looking for if you were interviewing someone for this role?

How do you rock an interview? ›

How to stand out during an interview
  1. Research the company. ...
  2. Wear bold colors. ...
  3. Arrive early for your interview. ...
  4. Showcase your strengths and areas for improvement. ...
  5. Describe your accomplishments. ...
  6. Give them samples of previous projects. ...
  7. Present a 30-60-90 day plan. ...
  8. Ask unique questions.
Mar 10, 2023

How do you get honest answers in an interview? ›

Below are four tips to elicit truly honest answers from candidates in a job interview.
  1. Don't give them any hints. Don't ask leading questions that tip off a candidate to the response you want. ...
  2. What motivates them. ...
  3. Ask the unexpected. ...
  4. Look for life outside of work.

How do most interviews end? ›

"I am grateful for interviewing with you today. You have given me a clear overview of the position. I think my experience and accomplishments can provide value to the organization. Is there anything else you need to confirm if I am the right candidate for this position?"

Is it OK to have a cheat sheet in an interview? ›

Relax—a cheat sheet is not really cheating. It's a checklist to make sure you stay focused before, during, and after the interview. Creating a cheat sheet will help you feel more prepared and confident. You shouldn't memorize what's on the sheet or check it off during the interview.

What to say if you don t remember the answer in interview? ›

There are so many ways to say you don't have the answer without admitting defeat. You can say something along the lines of, “I haven't dealt with a situation like that before, but I would start by asking these questions…” You could also try something like, “That concept or situation is new to me.

How long should interview answers be? ›

Interview answers should be 30 seconds to four minutes, depending on the context of the questions. Your response may be short (30 seconds to two minutes) if the question is simple. For example, if the hiring manager asks you to describe your strengths, you might speak for 90 seconds to explain where you're proficient.

What are the most difficult questions to answer in an interview? ›

The most difficult interview questions (and answers)
  • What is your greatest weakness?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • What's something that you didn't like about your last job?
  • Why do you want this job?
  • How do you deal with conflict with a co-worker?
  • Here's an answer for you.

What should you say your greatest weakness is in a job interview? ›

Here are 10 examples of the best weaknesses to mention in a job interview:
  • I focus too much on the details. ...
  • I have a hard time letting go of projects. ...
  • I have trouble saying "no" ...
  • I get impatient with missed deadlines. ...
  • I could use more experience in … ...
  • I sometimes lack confidence. ...
  • I can have trouble asking for help.
Mar 16, 2023

Is it OK to tell interviewer you are nervous? ›

Yes, it is okay to tell an interviewer that you are nervous. In fact, doing so can be beneficial. It can show the interviewer that you care about the job and that you are invested in doing well in the interview. Additionally, letting the interviewer know that you are a bit nervous can put them at ease.

Is 10 minutes too early for an interview? ›

No, arriving 10 minutes before an interview's start time is not too early. In fact, it is a good rule to arrive 15 minutes early to an interview, unless you have been specifically told otherwise by the person you are planning on meeting with.

Should I accept water at an interview? ›

In short, drinking water during an interview is perfectly acceptable and can even help you make a good impression! So don't be afraid to take a sip of water next time you're in an interview.

What are the 5 R's of reflection? ›

The 5R framework for reflection will guide you through Reporting, Responding, Relating, Reasoning, and Reconstructing to make sense of a learning experience.

How do you ace a behavioral interview? ›

Come prepared with examples of your past experiences.

Questions asked in behavioral interviews should be based on the core competencies for the position, so give the job description a close read and think about experiences you have that demonstrate your abilities in desired areas.

What is the acronym for interview storytelling? ›

The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) story format is widely and successfully used by MBA students to develop convincing responses to Behavioral Interview Questions.

What is your biggest accomplishment? ›

'My greatest achievement' examples could include:
  • Giving a great presentation at work.
  • Beating sales targets.
  • Training for and completing a marathon.
  • Organizing a successful charity event.
  • Mentoring a coworker or fellow student.

What are three strengths? ›

Some examples of strengths you might mention include:
  • Enthusiasm.
  • Trustworthiness.
  • Creativity.
  • Discipline.
  • Patience.
  • Respectfulness.
  • Determination.
  • Dedication.

What are the 7 commonly asked interview questions? ›

How to master these 7 common interview questions
  • Where do you see yourself in five years time? ...
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses? ...
  • Why should I hire you? ...
  • Tell me about yourself/your work experience. ...
  • Why do you want this job? ...
  • What are your salary expectations? ...
  • Why are you the right fit to succeed in this role?

What are the 6C skills? ›

The 6 Cs are Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. Education leaders feel “a small number of academic and personal/interpersonal qualities and capabilities” are key to helping students.

What are the top 10 questions to ask an interviewer? ›

Smart questions to ask about the interviewer
  • How long have you been with the company?
  • Has your role changed since you've been here?
  • What did you do before this?
  • Why did you come to this company?
  • What's your favorite part about working here?
  • What's one challenge you occasionally or regularly face in your job?
Mar 3, 2023

Should you smile during an interview? ›

Smiling and being friendly is essential for your success during the job interview. It makes you feel better, improves your memory recall and make you more creative during the conversation with the hiring manager. It helps answer questions intelligently, recall answers faster, create a better impression.

What is the single largest mistake an interviewee can make? ›

Interview Mistake #1 - Going Unprepared

Some candidates show up not knowing anything about the company or the position. This is highly unprofessional. Trust us, you can't go in there and wing it. Companies want people who are informed about what the company does and know exactly how they can add value.

What colors to wear to a interview? ›

Neutral colors - navy, gray, black, and brown - are the best colors for a job interview. White is also an excellent color for a blouse or button-down shirt. You can certainly add a pop of color to a neutral interview outfit.

How do you introduce yourself professionally? ›

Personal commercial template
  1. Greeting: Hello, my name is (name). ...
  2. Goal: I am looking for (internship/full-time position) at (employer name).
  3. Interest/passion: I am interested in (interests related to the company/industry).
  4. Strengths: I have many skills to contribute including (strengths) and (skills).

What are 5 tips for a successful job interview? ›

Tips for a Successful Interview
  • Be on time. ...
  • Know the interviewer's name, its spelling, and pronunciation. ...
  • Have some questions of your own prepared in advance. ...
  • Bring several copies of your resume. ...
  • Have a reliable pen and a small note pad with you. ...
  • Greet the interviewer with a handshake and a smile.

What is your strongest interview question? ›

When answering, mention what your top strengths are, provide examples on how you've used them in the past, and finally, describe the results you've gotten. Be super specific with your answers. Don't just say “I'm good at X” - really dive deep and give the interviewer a comprehensive answer.

What interview questions do most employers use? ›

Most Common Job Interview Questions:
  • Tell me something about yourself.
  • How did you hear about this position?
  • Why do you want to work here?
  • Why did you decide to apply for this position?
  • What is your greatest strength?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What do you know about this company/organization?
Mar 23, 2023

How can I impress in an interview? ›

Top 9 Ways to Impress Your Interviewer
  1. Work on your handshake. Don't offer up a flimsy or sweaty hand. ...
  2. Get serious. ...
  3. Get the practice. ...
  4. Be enthusiastic. ...
  5. Ask questions. ...
  6. Tell a story. ...
  7. Show restraint. ...
  8. Be memorable.

What are the three P's to the perfect interview? ›

An interview can be the difference between getting your dream job or not, so it is important you can make it as perfect as you possibly can.

What's a good answer to what's your weakness? ›

How to answer What are your greatest weaknesses? Choose a weakness that will not prevent you from succeeding in the role. Be honest and choose a real weakness. Provide an example of how you've worked to improve upon your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the issue.

How do you handle failure? ›

Give yourself permission to feel

Rather than struggling with our feelings, it can be more helpful to allow them to be. First, try to identify and label the emotion. Then, allow yourself time to experience it, remembering that failure is a part of everyone's life experience, and actually, crucial to success.

How do I sell myself in an interview? ›

When you're talking about yourself and your experience, keep the following six points in mind.
  1. Be the Solution. ...
  2. Be Specific. ...
  3. Prepare Sound Bites. ...
  4. Prepare to Talk About Your Resume. ...
  5. Be Aware of Nonverbal Communication. ...
  6. Be Positive.

Why do you want this job? ›

Talk about specific examples of how you can help this company achieve their goals and highlight any relevant transferrable skills that will make you stand out as the right candidate. Write down any recent achievements you can talk about or any challenges you've faced recently that might be related to this new job.

How do you respond to why should I hire you? ›

How to Answer Why Should We Hire You
  1. Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results. ...
  2. Highlight that you'll fit in and be a great addition to the team. ...
  3. Describe how hiring you will make their life easier and help them achieve more.
Apr 13, 2023

What attracted you to this position? ›

Example answer:

One of the big factors that attracted me to this role is the company itself, I have loved your recent innovations and the development of 'X'. Historically, the company has proven time and time again to be a market leader and that would be a great environment for me to develop in.

What can you bring to the company? ›

Think about: your enthusiasm for the profession and the employer and your desire to make your mark. your personal qualities, such as your drive and willingness to learn. the skills the employer seeks and how you have demonstrated them in the past – your answer should show why you would be competent in the job.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? ›

Answer for “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” “In five years, I see myself as an integral part of the company who has helped contribute to the growth and success of the organization. I would like to continue developing my skills and knowledge in order to be able to take on more responsibility within the company.

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