Best way to get hired at Merrill Lynch

Sidenote, I get along with my father, just want to move to a bigger
city, I would really like to get out on my own and see what I can do, I
would love to be with ML though

tell them about your rich uncles

Look up the branch manager on ML's website, then fax your resume with a cover letter to his attention.  Do everything very professionally...if I were looking at your resume and you misspelled one word, I'd toss it.

If you don't hear from him in two to three days, call his office.  Introduce yourself on the phone, and ask if he recieved your information.  If he says yes, but he just hasn't had time to look at it, etc etc, say "I understand, I'm sure you must be very busy...would it be possible to set up a time that I could come in and actually introduce myself in person?"  Most people would not do that.  He will respect your agressiveness.

That is your best shot of getting in the door.  After that, it's up to you.

Thanks, I think that is just what I’ll do, 

Fax your resume?  That's the quickest way I can think of to be disregarded.  Sending unsolicited faxes is against the law.

[quote=Big Easy Flood]

Fax your resume?  That's the quickest way I can think of to be disregarded.  Sending unsolicited faxes is against the law.

[/quote]

not to mention it will most likely get thrown out by the ops mgr before the bom sees it

Do you have an alumni network database that you can leverage?  You could use that to try to find an alumni from ML.  I suggest that you reach out to the alumni and request an informational interview.  Treat the informational interview like a real interview.

Do a bit of background work in addition to these forums.  Go into an informational interview prepared with some questions.  Specifically think about how you want to demonstrate "Why I'm good, why ML is good and why ML and I are good together".

Do you have a career services group at your school?  You should leverage off of them as well.

what does everyone think about, dropping by a branch and introducing
myself one day, surely they have to admire that, also I have been
trying to acess some people I know that used to work with ML, when I
get in touch with them, I will see what they say, or if they know
anyone still at the firm that could help.

[quote=rook4123]what does everyone think about, dropping by a branch and introducing myself one day, surely they have to admire that, also I have been trying to acess some people I know that used to work with ML, when I get in touch with them, I will see what they say, or if they know anyone still at the firm that could help. [/quote]

i know i guy who did this and got hired

Or you could submit it through the website since this is their preferred method.  It got me hired…

How old were you when you got hired? I would be 24 then

[quote=Scorpio]Or you could submit it through the website since this is their preferred method.  It got me hired... [/quote]

Resumes submitted through a website often get no further than a scan into a database that can be searched by key words and phrases.

If your goal is to be hired in the Bumphuck office of a brokerage firm you need to be contacting that office directly.  Hiring is often an impulse decision that is arrived at because of something that caught the hiring manager's fancy.

The best way to do it is to have a buddy who works there tell the manager that he has a friend who would be a great asset, and suggest that the BOM join the two of them for an after work refreshment.

If you don't have a buddy who works there go to plan B.

The idea of dropping by is not a bad one, except that you have to expect to have the receptionist turn you away--so have your resume with you and try to flirt with the receptionist.  She might be able to put the resume in front of the boss with a "He was very personable and well dressed."

Personally I would also follow up on that personal visit with a cover letter and resume deal that states that you're simply following up on an attempted personal visit with a formal request for consideration.  "I am enclosing a duplicate copy of my resume in case the original is not readily available."

I've known young people wander in and ask for the manager's assistant rather than the manager.  She (it's normally a she) is far more likely to stand up and walk out to shake your hand and will be far more powerful in putting your resume in front of her boss than the receptionist--that is, unless the boss is doing the receptionist.

[quote=Big Easy Flood]

[quote=Scorpio]Or you could submit it through the website since this is their preferred method.  It got me hired... [/quote]

Resumes submitted through a website often get no further than a scan into a database that can be searched by key words and phrases.

If your goal is to be hired in the Bumphuck office of a brokerage firm you need to be contacting that office directly.  Hiring is often an impulse decision that is arrived at because of something that caught the hiring manager's fancy.

The best way to do it is to have a buddy who works there tell the manager that he has a friend who would be a great asset, and suggest that the BOM join the two of them for an after work refreshment.

If you don't have a buddy who works there go to plan B.

The idea of dropping by is not a bad one, except that you have to expect to have the receptionist turn you away--so have your resume with you and try to flirt with the receptionist.  She might be able to put the resume in front of the boss with a "He was very personable and well dressed."

Personally I would also follow up on that personal visit with a cover letter and resume deal that states that you're simply following up on an attempted personal visit with a formal request for consideration.  "I am enclosing a duplicate copy of my resume in case the original is not readily available."

I've known young people wander in and ask for the manager's assistant rather than the manager.  She (it's normally a she) is far more likely to stand up and walk out to shake your hand and will be far more powerful in putting your resume in front of her boss than the receptionist--that is, unless the boss is doing the receptionist.

[/quote]

Are we in the year 2006 or 1974?

Certain things are timeless.

[quote=Scorpio]Or you could submit it through the website since this is their preferred method.  It got me hired... [/quote]

I cold called the manager (and a few at other offices), and got an appointment.

If your goal is to be hired by a given branch of a given firm, then you should call the manager directly.  

You can try the web site too, but that is a far more indirect path toward reaching your objective.

BEF got it right.

rook4123- I was 23 when I submitted it through the website.  I got
an email within a week from the branch to which I was applying.



I had to work the reception desk while I was studying for the 7 , and
we would have people come in all the time trying to hand in resumes and
meet with the manager or one of his assistants.  I was instructed
that the manager and his assistants were not to be disturbed by these
people and to just put the resumes in a stack for eventual sorting by
the assistants.

I like the idea of calling, one last question, how long should I wait,
like I was saying I’m about a year or so out from graduating, I don’t
know if that is too long, 

Whatever, fax, call, bring it by...I would not suggest submitting it through the website though.  It seems like more often than not those are just resume black holes.

If you have a year till graduation, you shoudn't apply to be an FA now.

Try not to mention your GPA

I would agree not to mention your GPA. I was 22 when I dropped my resume off at the local Merrill branch. After not hearing from the manager for a week I called and actually got to talk to him. He told me in a very smug tone that my GPA was to low and that there was little on my resume that would prove I could ever be successful in HIS business. Three years and 28 mil AUM later I was introduced to him in person at a golf outing where I gladly shared the story with him. The look on his face was priceless.

My point being...do your best to get hired on, but don't be afraid to explore more realistic options. If you build reputable book of business you'll be able to interview them in a few years, or you can be working for yourself like alot of people choose to do. Best of Luck

[quote=apex01]

I would agree not to mention your GPA. I was 22 when I dropped my resume off at the local Merrill branch. After not hearing from the manager for a week I called and actually got to talk to him. He told me in a very smug tone that my GPA was to low and that there was little on my resume that would prove I could ever be successful in HIS business. Three years and 28 mil AUM later I was introduced to him in person at a golf outing where I gladly shared the story with him. The look on his face was priceless.

My point being...do your best to get hired on, but don't be afraid to explore more realistic options. If you build reputable book of business you'll be able to interview them in a few years, or you can be working for yourself like alot of people choose to do. Best of Luck

[/quote]

Great story, but I would say you were the exception rather than the rule.  A GPA below 2.0?  Ugly.  Honestly, unless a student was working full time or dedicated to an athletic team, there is no excuse.  That GPA shows me someone who is medicore and satisfied with being so.

[quote=vbrainy][quote=apex01]

I would agree not to mention your GPA. I was 22 when I dropped my resume off at the local Merrill branch. After not hearing from the manager for a week I called and actually got to talk to him. He told me in a very smug tone that my GPA was to low and that there was little on my resume that would prove I could ever be successful in HIS business. Three years and 28 mil AUM later I was introduced to him in person at a golf outing where I gladly shared the story with him. The look on his face was priceless.

My point being...do your best to get hired on, but don't be afraid to explore more realistic options. If you build reputable book of business you'll be able to interview them in a few years, or you can be working for yourself like alot of people choose to do. Best of Luck

[/quote]

Great story, but I would say you were the exception rather than the rule.  A GPA below 2.0?  Ugly.  Honestly, unless a student was working full time or dedicated to an athletic team, there is no excuse.  That GPA shows me someone who is medicore and satisfied with being so.

[/quote]

I would agree and not that this matters but for the sake of my ego my GPA was around 3.10 if I remember correctly. I have hired a couple interns the past few summers and I see GPA's around 2.0-2.5 all the time when reviewing resumes and it tells me the same thing you stated, however, depending on an individuals situation I think there are exceptions, however, it is far from a rule.

From the very beginning of college I knew I wanted to be an advisor, work at the best firm, and wanted to have the HNW individuals as my clients.  This is how I did it;  I went to college kept my grades decent, worked all 6 years (paid for 75% myself), got my MBA.  Went into sales for 2 years, while I was working 50 hours a week at my sales job, went and applied for a holeinthewall regional firm.  They took me on, I had to pay for my own S7 + S66 material and test fees, I studied after work every night passed my test.  Then I got VERY lucky and the holeinthewall regional shut down the branch, so I was fully licensed with no tainted brokerage training and still working my sales job when I called the ML branch manager and told him my story.  He called me in for an interview and told me that he has never seen anyone work a full time job and pass the 7 and 66 in 3 months.  He said that if I want it that bad and am willing to work that hard for it I will be very successful at Merrill Lynch and hired me.  Been here about six months and am already jumping hurdles. 

Thats just how I did it there are a 100 ways in the door, point is you gotta get in, and once you get in it's just the beginning.   

[quote=BullBroker]

From the very beginning of college I knew I wanted to be an advisor, work at the best firm, and wanted to have the HNW individuals as my clients.  This is how I did it;  I went to college kept my grades decent, worked all 6 years (paid for 75% myself), got my MBA.  Went into sales for 2 years, while I was working 50 hours a week at my sales job, went and applied for a holeinthewall regional firm.  They took me on, I had to pay for my own S7 + S66 material and test fees, I studied after work every night passed my test.  Then I got VERY lucky and the holeinthewall regional shut down the branch, so I was fully licensed with no tainted brokerage training and still working my sales job when I called the ML branch manager and told him my story.  He called me in for an interview and told me that he has never seen anyone work a full time job and pass the 7 and 66 in 3 months.  He said that if I want it that bad and am willing to work that hard for it I will be very successful at Merrill Lynch and hired me.  Been here about six months and am already jumping hurdles. 

Thats just how I did it there are a 100 ways in the door, point is you gotta get in, and once you get in it's just the beginning.   

[/quote]

According to your previous posts you started on March 25th, which would mean three months not six. Does that mean you are running into hurdles and not jumping them? Sorry I had to call you out but it's just so easy to use the search button on this site.

[quote=BullBroker]

From the very beginning of college I knew I wanted to be an advisor, work at the best firm, and wanted to have the HNW individuals as my clients.  This is how I did it;  I went to college kept my grades decent, worked all 6 years (paid for 75% myself), got my MBA.  Went into sales for 2 years, while I was working 50 hours a week at my sales job, went and applied for a holeinthewall regional firm.  They took me on, I had to pay for my own S7 + S66 material and test fees, I studied after work every night passed my test.  Then I got VERY lucky and the holeinthewall regional shut down the branch, so I was fully licensed with no tainted brokerage training and still working my sales job when I called the ML branch manager and told him my story.  He called me in for an interview and told me that he has never seen anyone work a full time job and pass the 7 and 66 in 3 months.  He said that if I want it that bad and am willing to work that hard for it I will be very successful at Merrill Lynch and hired me.  Been here about six months and am already jumping hurdles. 

Thats just how I did it there are a 100 ways in the door, point is you gotta get in, and once you get in it's just the beginning.   

[/quote]

Man is it easy to poke holes in your stories. Back in March you only had a "Bachelors in Economics." Merrill was probably most impressed with your ability to obtain an MBA in three months, at this rate you should be Master of the Universe by the end of 07.

[quote=12345][quote=BullBroker]

From the very beginning of college I knew I wanted to be an advisor, work at the best firm, and wanted to have the HNW individuals as my clients.  This is how I did it;  I went to college kept my grades decent, worked all 6 years (paid for 75% myself), got my MBA.  Went into sales for 2 years, while I was working 50 hours a week at my sales job, went and applied for a holeinthewall regional firm.  They took me on, I had to pay for my own S7 + S66 material and test fees, I studied after work every night passed my test.  Then I got VERY lucky and the holeinthewall regional shut down the branch, so I was fully licensed with no tainted brokerage training and still working my sales job when I called the ML branch manager and told him my story.  He called me in for an interview and told me that he has never seen anyone work a full time job and pass the 7 and 66 in 3 months.  He said that if I want it that bad and am willing to work that hard for it I will be very successful at Merrill Lynch and hired me.  Been here about six months and am already jumping hurdles. 

Thats just how I did it there are a 100 ways in the door, point is you gotta get in, and once you get in it's just the beginning.   

[/quote]

Man is it easy to poke holes in your stories. Back in March you only had a "Bachelors in Economics." Merrill was probably most impressed with your ability to obtain an MBA in three months, at this rate you should be Master of the Universe by the end of 07.

[/quote]

Instead of taking my normal approach and start bashing you.  I am simply going to say that I am very flattered you took the time to reread all of my post, and am very sorry that you wasted your time trying to discredit me.  As far as how long I have been here all I will say is that when I got (hired/started getting paid) and the time I actually got in the office are not the same date.  It takes the NASD a while to pull your licenses from another broker, so I couldn't "work out of the office" until my licenses were cleared, but I was still getting paid and was a part of the firm.  So I won't hold that one against you, because you didn't really know you just assumed.  As far as the MBA I believe Joe Dabrkr has already told me my MBA was worthless in this business.  I said I have a bachelors degree in economics, I never said I did not have a MBA.  I can see how you could assume that though, so I won't hold anything against you.  Why don't you spend your time more productively, instead of wasting your time on an internet forum trying to discredit people?

[quote=BullBroker][quote=12345][quote=BullBroker]

From the very beginning of college I knew I wanted to be an advisor, work at the best firm, and wanted to have the HNW individuals as my clients.  This is how I did it;  I went to college kept my grades decent, worked all 6 years (paid for 75% myself), got my MBA.  Went into sales for 2 years, while I was working 50 hours a week at my sales job, went and applied for a holeinthewall regional firm.  They took me on, I had to pay for my own S7 + S66 material and test fees, I studied after work every night passed my test.  Then I got VERY lucky and the holeinthewall regional shut down the branch, so I was fully licensed with no tainted brokerage training and still working my sales job when I called the ML branch manager and told him my story.  He called me in for an interview and told me that he has never seen anyone work a full time job and pass the 7 and 66 in 3 months.  He said that if I want it that bad and am willing to work that hard for it I will be very successful at Merrill Lynch and hired me.  Been here about six months and am already jumping hurdles. 

Thats just how I did it there are a 100 ways in the door, point is you gotta get in, and once you get in it's just the beginning.   

[/quote]

Man is it easy to poke holes in your stories. Back in March you only had a "Bachelors in Economics." Merrill was probably most impressed with your ability to obtain an MBA in three months, at this rate you should be Master of the Universe by the end of 07.

[/quote]

Instead of taking my normal approach and start bashing you.  I am simply going to say that I am very flattered you took the time to reread all of my post, and am very sorry that you wasted your time trying to discredit me.  As far as how long I have been here all I will say is that when I got (hired/started getting paid) and the time I actually got in the office are not the same date.  It takes the NASD a while to pull your licenses from another broker, so I couldn't "work out of the office" until my licenses were cleared, but I was still getting paid and was a part of the firm.  So I won't hold that one against you, because you didn't really know you just assumed.  As far as the MBA I believe Joe Dabrkr has already told me my MBA was worthless in this business.  I said I have a bachelors degree in economics, I never said I did not have a MBA.  I can see how you could assume that though, so I won't hold anything against you.  Why don't you spend your time more productively, instead of wasting your time on an internet forum trying to discredit people?

[/quote]

Wow, you've grown up a lot in three months. Three months ago you would have thrown a temper tantrum in response to my posts. Either way it is clear that your skin is getting a lot thicker. Now I will go find something productive to do.