First IBD Interview Tomorrow..

Monkeys,

So I have my first interview tomorrow and I can definitely tell you I'm both excited and anxious to do it.

It is only a phone interview with a IBD Recruiter from Morgan Stanley, so I don't quite know what to expect. I've tried searching for information regarding what these are typically like and couldn't seem to find much information so I'm hoping you guys can shed some light on the subject.

The only thing that worries me is that I'm definitely not as prepared, technically speaking, as I should be. So my main question to you guys is is this purely a screening process to make sure I'm qualified and not crazy (i.e. no technical questions) or should I basically pull an all-nighter tonight to ensure that I'll be ready to go come tomorrow morning with the technical aspect of things?

This is for an analyst role and I'm basically working on the complete opposite side of finance right now (think retail sales PWM)

 
Best Response

If it is a recruiter, you won't get asked technical stuff in depth. You might get questions such as "why IBD", "why MS", "what was your most important achievement", and so on.

Make sure you know what is happening in the markets right now and what will determine the markets (and also the IB market) in the future. It is important to show that you have an opinion and to have a logical argumentation.

Don't sound like a tool but don't expect it to be easy as there won't be in depth technical questions. Explaining people that you are a team player and can fit well into the culture is way more difficult than just repeating what you've read the day before or what you've learned during your studies.

Just my recommendations after an application marathon, including several phone interviews with recruiters.

 

Definitely expect: 1) Tell me about yourself/walk me through your resume (by far the most important question 2) Why IB? 3) Why that specific company?

if its just a screening interview, then those three should be the main topic. Be prepared to elaborate on anything included in your resume. I have heard of people getting technical questions in the screening interview, but at the same time, I have heard some that havent. So I guess its luck of the draw.

Also, if you have had experience in anything thats not finance, or if your resume is not finance-focused, you'll have to explain why you want to make the switch.

Best of luck!!!

Hugo
 

MS phone interviews will be exclusively behavioral.

-Walk me through your resume -Why investment banking and why at this point in your career -Why Morgan Stanley relative to its peers -What experience do you have working in a team scenario -What skills do you see yourself adding to a group

Don't lose sleep over technicals; it shouldn't happen at all over the phone.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

So it just ended...

Definitely didn't go well. It was prefaced with the fact that jobs are few and far between seeing as training is just about over and considering I have 0 banking work experience it would be tough for me to even be considered until next recruiting season.

More of a conversation than anything else. I was asked why MS and about my internship (PWM so it didn't have much relevant skill sets). I was then informed that I should cast a wide net to all different sectors of FO and also look towards MM or boutiques to land an 'off-recruiting' hire.

 
tgcohen:
So it just ended...

Definitely didn't go well. It was prefaced with the fact that jobs are few and far between seeing as training is just about over and considering I have 0 banking work experience it would be tough for me to even be considered until next recruiting season.

More of a conversation than anything else. I was asked why MS and about my internship (PWM so it didn't have much relevant skill sets). I was then informed that I should cast a wide net to all different sectors of FO and also look towards MM or boutiques to land an 'off-recruiting' hire.

You probably need to work on your interviewing skills. Keep at it.

 

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