MS Mid-Market Fixed Income Sales - Looking for info

So, out of the blue, a good friend of mine, who is currently an associate at MS in mid-market institutional FI sales, told me they're leaving for a different job and is in charge of hiring their replacement. They want me to take their place.

So, they have my resume, and I'm hoping to hear back from them at some point soon. However, I'd love to get some info about what this position might entail beforehand (day-in-the-life, any specific tasks, comp, etc) and figure out what would be most helpful for me to know going into an interview.

Of course I'm aware of what fixed income sales generally consists of, but if there's any specific info that anyone might have on the mid-market group at MS, that would be much appreciated. Conveniently, I've been burying myself in fixed income material for a while now, and feel I have a good base of knowledge to go in there with, at least at this level. But, just want to make sure I have any potential questions covered.

Thanks so much in advance.

 

Definitely getting as much info from this person as possible. Unfortunately, they have 0 background in finance and sort of tripped and fell into this job...most they knew about finance before was the difference between stocks & bonds. They've also only been in the role for a few months, so their knowledge base isn't huge. However, will absolutely glean as much info as I can. Just always looking for as much info as possible.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 
Best Response

What desk? FI sales could be anything.... and depending on the firm that could even mean FX, commodities or traditional FI desks like securitized products, investment grade bonds etc.

Honestly, as a junior salesperson you won't do shit but enter tickets and go to client outings. Eventually the dinosaurs might leave and then you can just fall into their client base.

edit: Just saw you said the middle market sales group at Morgan Stanley... skimmed too quickly.

It'll be a bit different because I think it's on the wealth management arm, and honestly don't fully get if they just cover all products or what.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
yeahright:

What desk? FI sales could be anything.... and depending on the firm that could even mean FX, commodities or traditional FI desks like securitized products, investment grade bonds etc.

Honestly, as a junior salesperson you won't do shit but enter tickets and go to client outings. Eventually the dinosaurs might leave and then you can just fall into their client base.

edit: Just saw you said the middle market sales group at Morgan Stanley... skimmed too quickly.

It'll be a bit different because I think it's on the wealth management arm, and honestly don't fully get if they just cover all products or what.

Alright, thanks for the info. Yeah, they are arranged a bit differently than say, GS or JPM.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

MS Middle Markets is pretty new. They are considered part of wealth management but but also share some profits with the IBank/ISG. You work with both the wealth management and institutional traders depending on the size of the order and products needed. I am pretty sure everyone on the desk (70 or so salesmen) is a generalist but can settle into specific product niche.

PM me if you need more specific detail

 
Bobb:

MS Middle Markets is pretty new. They are considered part of wealth management but but also share some profits with the IBank/ISG. You work with both the wealth management and institutional traders depending on the size of the order and products needed. I am pretty sure everyone on the desk (70 or so salesmen) is a generalist but can settle into specific product niche.

PM me if you need more specific detail

Thanks man, really appreciate it. I'll send you a PM right away.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

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"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."

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