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Describe the hiring process @ MS

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Dec 29, 2006 1:27 am

Just curious if anyone on here could give me some insight regarding the interview process at MS. Thank you for your help.

Dec 29, 2006 2:42 am

[quote=12345]Just curious if anyone on here could give me some insight regarding the interview process at MS. Thank you for your help.[/quote]


My first interview with the Branch Manager lasted about 2 1/2 hours.

Then I had to fill out all of the employment info, present a business plan, and take a 50 question-90 minute math and reading comprehension exam.

Then I had an interview with the Complex Manager that again lasted about 2 1/2 hours.

Then I was presented with an offer, which I accepted.

The most time consuming part for me was putting together the business plan.  My initial interview was on a Thursday afternoon, and I gave my business plan to them at 8:00 AM the following Monday morning.  I probably spent 36 hours putting together my plan over that weekend.  While they didn’t ask for it so soon, I wanted to present to them an example of my work that would blow them away, not only in content but also in quickness of getting the job done.  (It worked.)

In my case, I was starting from scratch, as I had no idea that I was going to have to present a business plan. You have a head start.  There are lots of resources on the internet that you can research that give insight into Financial Advisor Business Plans.  The sooner you start on it, the better your presentation will be.

Good luck.

Dec 29, 2006 5:08 am

Interesting.  I interviewed with the Sales Manager for about 2 hours.  Then I took the math test.  Then I had to take a personality test.  No business plan was required.  Maybe b/c the training shifted part of its focus to business plan development?  I was able to explain what I wanted to accomplish though.  Either way, I then went back to meet with the Branch Manager (in what you might call a mini-interview) and was offered the job. 

I would definitely have a simple business plan that focused on how you plan to market yourself, a daily schedule of when you will do these things, and what target markets you would like to focus on. It would also help if you have a list of 150-300 contacts with simple information (such as what they do).  Not only will they be impressed that you have come so prepared, it may give you an idea of a target market that you had not considered before.  Finally, as I am sure you know and have been told a million times, this is a sales job so ASK FOR THE JOB.  Good luck.

Dec 29, 2006 10:48 am

[quote=wlooney]

Interesting.  I interviewed with the Sales Manager for about 2 hours.  Then I took the math test.  Then I had to take a personality test.  No business plan was required.  Maybe b/c the training shifted part of its focus to business plan development?  I was able to explain what I wanted to accomplish though.  Either way, I then went back to meet with the Branch Manager (in what you might call a mini-interview) and was offered the job. 

I would definitely have a simple business plan that focused on how you plan to market yourself, a daily schedule of when you will do these things, and what target markets you would like to focus on. It would also help if you have a list of 150-300 contacts with simple information (such as what they do).  Not only will they be impressed that you have come so prepared, it may give you an idea of a target market that you had not considered before.  Finally, as I am sure you know and have been told a million times, this is a sales job so ASK FOR THE JOB.  Good luck.

[/quote]

Oh, I forgot about the personality test. (I guess I forgot about it because I thought it was silly.)  I took that before I was contacted for the first interview.  I had responded to an online ad, and took the personality test online as part of the response to the ad. 
Dec 29, 2006 2:15 pm

Thank you very much for your responses. I actually was given the business plan template yesterday and am interviewing with the branch manager next week. I just finished a fourth interview with UBS and second with Merrill but wasn’t sure how long the MS process is. UBS has been slightly long but fortunately I wrote a business plan for UBS a couple of weeks ago so most of my writing is already done. I asked because I mentioned to MS that I had just finished my fourth interview with UBS and was then immediately given a business plan template. I wasn’t sure if they were expediting the whole process. We’ll see next week. Thanks again for your posts, this site is very helpful.

Dec 29, 2006 4:01 pm

Just completed the interview process at UBS myself. After 3 different interviews with the MD of varying lengths and intensities (as well as the math test and HR paperwork), I was given the business plan template as well as a fact-pattern for a role play. After presenting the business plan (@ 1.5 hours with the MD) and the role play (maybe 20 minutes), the next step was another lengthy intereview (mine was on the phone but I know others who have done it in person) with the corporate hiring manager. Within 3 days of that interview (2 of the days being Saturday and Sunday) I was in the MD’s office accepting my offer. I start the 16th of January. Best of luck in the rest of the process!!

Dec 29, 2006 7:47 pm

Each branch manager has their own style of hiring.  None of my clients has exactly the same process.

Don’t get too worried about variations from the “typical” interview descriptions that you’ve seen online.  Just focus on putting your best foot forward.

Dec 29, 2006 9:01 pm

Variations is right, there doesn't seem to be an exact protocal to the whole procedure. Best foot forward is the best advice. Thanks.

Dec 29, 2006 11:30 pm

[quote=12345]Thank you very much for your responses. I actually was given the business plan template yesterday and am interviewing with the branch manager next week. I just finished a fourth interview with UBS and second with Merrill but wasn’t sure how long the MS process is. UBS has been slightly long but fortunately I wrote a business plan for UBS a couple of weeks ago so most of my writing is already done. I asked because I mentioned to MS that I had just finished my fourth interview with UBS and was then immediately given a business plan template. I wasn’t sure if they were expediting the whole process. We’ll see next week. Thanks again for your posts, this site is very helpful.[/quote]

By the way, when they gave me the Business Plan template, I took a look at it and then threw it away.  I never used it. I have always had a need to be different (never been a follower,) and I didn’t want my plan to look just like all the rest.  So, when I gave them my plan, I know it set me apart from everyone else, and also showed that I am an extremely independant thinker.