*This is for an interview in California so please respond accordingly.

MSSB targets HNW clients, so I would say "act as if". Definitely wear a suit and not slacks and a blazer. 

Adding on to this this thread since it's open and same firm.

I just had an interview with the complex manager. Seemed very cut and dry. Not really an interview. Consisted of trying to scare the shit out of me and 2 explaining the compensation structure. He put 50 down as a hypothetical negotiated salary.

The more I think about it this seems like a great opportunity. I really can't imagine having to cold call 500 people to open one account is worse than paying 10g's for a yellow page ad and then wait around all day for the phone to ring. Being proactive seems so much less stressful. Unfortunately cold calling for lawyers really is verbotten. Also, he said most people who wash out will do so within the first 6 months of produciton. So if for some reason I couldn't hack it or wasn't convincing enough I wouldn't waste to much lifespan. A major consideration after just having pumped 4 years into a law practice that had an amazing start and then got beat with the recession.

My natural market would seem to be other lawyers and they are really name conscious. I've talked to some people at networking events and I mentioned I was thinking of changing to FA and when I said I thought it'd end up being Morgan Stanley they all perked up and seemed like I could easily close that business.

So anything else I should be thinking about in regards MSSB?

Considering any other firms, or just MSSB?  Keep in mind the first salary they throw out is just a trial balloon.  It's negotiable.  If you take the approach of, "everything seems in line with what I am looking for in a firm, but $50k is just not realistic", they will likely work it up if they want you.

Good luck in your search...

If they actually offer 50 I'd be thrilled. I have no loans or family to support.  The last 2 years of law practice have been lean to put it moderately. Morgan Stanley's the only one I'm really considering at this point. Merrill's not hiring and anyway something about them seems off right now. I found the branch manager to be inspiring and compared to the other firms I talked too none even came close. EJ's setup seemed less than ideal for someone with great qualifications over 30 with a decent network.

 The other option is to pursue hospitality management. I'm about half way through casino dealing school and is my backup in case the fa thing doesn't pan out. The career risk seems high in any event and even if you call 300 dials a day it's entirely possible I could just not jive or something. Who really knows. It seems like any career can pay 100k five years out. It seems entirely possible to be a hotel director in 5 years if you are a go getter.

The thought of law practice makes me want to puke.

Dress like you're already making millions of dollars, that what I did and I start in a few weeks.

I am guessing you already found out if you got the job. If you are already working there now, do you have any input you could share on what it is like and how you are doing? Thanks