Morgan Stanley 1st round phone interview NY IBD SA 2015

Hi all,
I have a 1st round phone interview coming up with MS IBD NY. I come from a non-core school with an OK GPA. Non-finance background, but 1 past finance internship. I am expecting basic technicals (high level valuation techniques) and lots of behavioural/fit questions. Has anyone had their first rounds, or have advice on it?

Thanks

16 Comments
 
Best Response

Never interviewed with MS, but some general advice, if you want to move on coming from a non target with an "OK" GPA:

  1. Master your story
  2. Know why MS
  3. Know why banking/finance
  4. Be able to talk in depth about your past internship and how it has lead you to wanting to work IBD at MS
  5. Know the M&I and WSO guides cold. No excuse to miss any technical. Make sure you understand the concept, not just memorize the answer.

For behavioral questions, I'd probably have legit answers to: 1. Tell me a time you worked in a team 2. What are you 3 biggest strengths/weaknesses 4. Other generic stories that illustrate that you're a hard-worker, intelligent, fast-learning, and a team player.

Good luck.

 

I go to a target and recently had a 1st round phone interview for MS IBD NY. The questions I got were as follows (from what I remember):

  1. Tell me about yourself.
  2. Why banking?
  3. Walk me through the effect of $10 depreciation on all 3 statements
  4. How would you value Walmart?
  5. Walk me through a DCF
  6. Tell me about what you do on campus

The interviewer was relaxed and personable. Overall, it went really well and I am sure that I got all of the technicals right. However, this wasn't enough as I did not advance to the next round. MS is tough and it is not enough to get the questions right. You really have to find ways to stand out from the masses and that is not something that can easily be prepped for. Good luck.

 

I am an incoming analyst at a GS/MS bank so might be able to weigh in - re: standing out, one of the best things you can do is have really rock solid reasons for wanting xyz bank that clearly show you've got a genuine reason for wanting to work there and aren't just hoping for any bank to throw you a bone

 

From non-targ, okay gpa as well, and had my interview today

Questions were walk through dcf, how much of the valuation is weighted towards terminal value, 10$ of depreciation, what is the Accretive/dilutive cutoff for a company with a P/E of 20

besides that, i got asked about my background, leadership experience, ACT scores, what classes I'm taking, and two things about myself not on my resume.

I think it went pretty well, but I guess we'll see what happens. Best of luck to you man.

"My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"
 

basically said anything below 20 would be Accretive, and anything above 20 would be dilutive, and he seemed to like that answer

"My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"
 

Heard back today, so less than a week after the interview. super day is going to be in early feb it looks like, like first week.

"My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"
 

How long should I wait before I ask HR where my application is? Should I do that ever? It's been a week, so I think my chances at a superday are slim to none

 

@FeedMeDealFlow Have you heard back yet? My superday was this month and I was put on hold. Do you know if they put everyone who didn't get an offer on hold or do they differentiate "No offer" from "hold" candidates?

 

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"My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"

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