MS Rejection - How does the process work exactly?
Just got rejected for MS S&T SA 2024 London. Although this is quite unexpected, I understand how random the processes are. But I was hoping if someone can offer some insight on how they actually do the screening.
So I have a decent CV + CL, go to a borderline semitarget, good grades (70%+). Last cycle I had 1 ac with a BB and some interviews with the banks. For MS specifically - I progressed to their second interview after the TI. This cycle, I passed their OT with literally the top scores (you can see them from the feedback) and even a better CV (I think at least, cuz I got another experience), but somehow they didn't even give a chance to interview...
If I were to speculate, I guess they perhaps kept the record of me in the system from the interviews with them last year. I remember it was this director from cash equities and I performed extremely poor. But this speculation doesn't make a lot of sense because the cost of doing so doesn't seem to be justified. A more probable scenario could be that, it's a different person who looked at my profile, and he/she certainly formed divergent views compared to the person from last year, lol.
These are all speculations. It would be appreciated if someone with insight into this could provide more details. I'm just curious here.
this is like asking a girl why she rejected you. you'll never get the real answer (nor would anyone here know it), so there's no point of thinking about it further
There are interviewers/recruiters or people who partake in the recruiting process at the very least here. Also I guess just by being in a S&T seat, more or less you know how it works.
Doubt its because of your interview last year, I have boomed interviews in the past with MS, and got invited the following years.
Just for reference, the online tests are pass / fail, doesn't matter if you have "top" score. They do also contextualise CV, if you are in your final year opposed to 2nd year, they obviously expect more. HR receives over 1000+ CV, there is no way he / she would remember you.
It's a numbers game. Keep applying. There is no point speculating
The OT feedback was obvsly indicating a pass. Tho you are right - its just a numbers game. Tbh I had high hopes for MS lol
Got rejected yesterday - can’t win ‘em all :(
I got very well aligned for SJT + 2 well above. Honestly I thought I was getting the phone call 100%
You mention a decent CV but what does this encompass outside of your work experience and your grades.
do you have notable extracurriculars relevant to markets eg society work, competitions, sports participations etc? All the markets people I know at MS London have two of those three things on top of practical work experience and grades (and that’s from a target)
it’s not to say that it is the pure reason for your rejection because recruiters can be weird but it’s only my view out of experience.
keep your head up tho king, you still got a good chance elsewhere!
Thanks for the feedback. I do have 2 pretty solid market-related extracurriculars. Sports/Hobbies are something I don't have due to numerous reasons - I thought of starting a sport now but its a bit too late to play anything meaningfully I feel.
No worries, as I was trying to allude to, a lot of recruitment is person led so if there’s a possible connection eg sports, interests, extracurriculars, it gives your CV a leg up since (and I hate to say it) it makes you more “interesting” to work with.
it’s for this reason to try and pursue a variety of activities to make yourself personable instead of what I call a “corporate drone”
Share your CV and we can tell why you didn't get an interview
It’s all random man.
I’ve rejected kids before for silly reasons. I was in a bad mood about something else, something they said rubbed me the wrong way, I didn’t like their aura.
I’ve also accepted kids that I normally would have rejected because I was in a good mood, laughed at a joke they made or they went to my Alma mater.
You will drive yourself crazy trying to figure out the why.
All you can do is keep applying and applying and try to get your foot in the door somewhere.
This
Thank you for the firsthand insight. I just assumed that these big banks would have a more standardized/streamlined process, which would make the lives of both recruiters and candidates easier (I guess).
I mean the process can be standard for setting up initial resume screens and first round interview, but the interviews are conducted by actual humans, who can be arbitrary and capricious in their recommendations.
lol I applied for equity research and got very well aligned and well above as well and thought I was set but now I’m also shitting it
Heard that some ER TIs were sent last Friday. Did anyone get a FI Research TI?
TI or HV? I'm assuming these are first rounds
Just got the rejection email fyi
Was also Very well suited and well above
Onto the next!
If it makes u feel better they only had 3 spots available for ER
Do MS screen before sending out HV then?
give up, you'll find it easier finding the answer on why humans exist than on why MS rejected you.
Firstly london is super random since there's no networking and HR screens everything. Secondly HR will spend 5 seconds on a CV. Thirdly there's also many other people with good CVs (I.e. strong uni, couple spring weeks, decent summer, 2+ strong society roles. This CV is definitely good enough to get through MS screening, but the problem is it doesn't differentiate you as many other people also have similar CVs so it comes down to a lottery.
This, pretty much.
It sucks a lot really when the HR at most BBs in London are pretty rubbish and in my experience, have got no clue ca. 60% of the time when it comes to intern recruitment.
It does level the playing field where networking has no effect but can also mean that due to luck, under-qualified people get through while qualified ones tend not to.
Yeah it's tough because on the one hand doing enough networking signals than you've put the effort in but also its obviously easier for nepotism to network than others
Ik I’m probably rejected because I didn’t get telephone interview either but did everyone get a rejection email? Or nah? Cuz I didn’t. Not that my hopes are up or anything. Just was curious.
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