So you’re getting ready for your interview with Morgan Stanley? This is an exciting opportunity to unlock your full potential. First of all, enjoy the process. It’s fun to meet new people at the top of their game and experience the expertise of our entire firm.
Remind yourself why we conduct interviews in the first place. This will help you focus on your relevant skills and determine the impression you want to make. We use interviews to find out who you are and what motivates you. We want to see if you understand our business and what the job entails. This is an opportunity to show us what you could bring to the team at Morgan Stanley.
Every interview is different. Your discussion will depend on what the job requires and how your skills and potential align to the role. Anticipate the questions you might be asked by reading through the application materials and the program description as well as talking to us at events. If you were meeting yourself for the first time, what would you ask?
Enjoy the conversation, be honest, and show the real you. We’re looking for exceptional individuals who bring their authentic selves to work.
Your Story
Think about how to best tell your story. It starts with knowing your resume. Be able to articulate everything you've listed without reading or referring to it. Have confidence. Be yourself. Know your strengths and be able to talk to the areas you want to develop.
Answer each question the best you can. We don’t always expect candidates to have the right answer during an interview—we’re interested in seeing how you work through a scenario. Interviews could be competency, strengths based, skills based or technical. You may be asked about situations when you have used particular skills or asked to demonstrate what you are particularly good at and what inspires you. Be prepared to talk about past experiences that demonstrate why you would be an ideal candidate. Diversify these examples by highlighting relevant jobs, projects, coursework, and extracurricular activities. Tell us why you’re the right person for the job. When you learn how to tell your story in an authentic and engaging way, you’ll make us want to become a part of it.
Your Personal Brand
We all have a personal brand. What makes you unique? Envision the impression you want to make. Your interviewers are meeting several candidates. How do you want to differentiate yourself and be remembered?
Present yourself professionally. Be conscious of your body language, maintain eye contact, and let the interviewer finish their thought before you respond. We understand you may be nervous, so try to collect your thoughts before you speak. Take your time to answer questions and communicate concisely. Remember, we want you to succeed.
It may seem excessive, but it helps to practice, whether in front of a mirror or with another person. Get comfortable speaking about yourself but avoid sounding too rehearsed. It’s important to be genuine, and stay true to who you really are.
Your Interests
Have a compelling reason for why you want to work in this industry, our Firm, and the division you’re interested in. A passion for learning and being part of a collaborative team is imperative — it’s what sets Morgan Stanley apart from others in the industry. We genuinely want to make a difference in the world.
Show how the position you are interviewing for aligns with your goals and expertise. Express your interest by asking the interviewer questions. Be sure the questions are relevant and specific. Enhance your understanding of our capabilities and culture to avoid generic questions like, "What does Morgan Stanley do?"
Do more than state your interests. Express your knowledge gained from experience and education and how you can use that in the role. At Morgan Stanley, we believe that diverse perspectives and deep collaboration make us stronger.
Our Firm and Industry
Familiarize yourself with our history, integrated capabilities, and core values. Learn how we are organized. Research our management and senior leaders. Stay up to date on the latest financial news and Morgan Stanley’s positioning in the market. Understand the basics of how government regulation and the markets affect the financial industry. Research the program and division you have applied to and keep up to date with current affairs, trends, and innovations.
We don’t expect candidates to understand all spheres of the markets, finance, and economics. But it’s a good idea to choose one or two areas of the industry that you can discuss with knowledge and conviction. Make an effort to understand what professionals at your level do in the industry and at Morgan Stanley. Be sure to use all the resources available to you—refer to materials shared by our recruiters, online resources and publications. It can be a great starting point for discovering more about us, our culture and how we work.
Enjoy your time preparing for the interview. Career-defining opportunities only come around once in a while—this is one of them.
