As one of the top investment banks in the world, Morgan Stanley is highly prestigious yet competitive for college students applying for its investment banking internship. With application season already started in Fall 2022, class of 2024 who desire to land a 2023 Morgan Stanley summer analyst internship should get prepared and stand out as early as possible. By learning recruiting timelines, resume preparation, interview practices and networking tips from insiders, you will massively increase your chance of getting the coveted Morgan Stanley offer.
Morgan Stanley recruiting process starts early with resume drops
Morgan Stanley kicks off 2023 summer analyst recruiting around September 2022, which is one year ahead of the actual internship period. Investment banking applicants should submit resumes during September to November application window, while Morgan Stanley will screen resumes and extend first-round Hirevue interviews to qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The early timeline reinforces the importance of getting ready long before your junior year when actual recruiting takes place. Building a competitive resume, training technical and soft skills, seeking insider tips through networking could give you an edge in the fierce competition.
Resume for Morgan Stanley should highlight relevant experience
Investment banking internship remains one of Morgan Stanley’s most competitive programs with only 1%-3% applicants receiving offers. To stand out among thousands of applicants, your resume needs to speak to relevant experience instead of just good academics. Highlight internships in finance such as investment banking, private equity, venture capital. Leadership in finance clubs also helps convey your passion. If you have directly applicable work experience, put them in the first page using concise bullet points. For freshmen and sophomores who lack direct experience, try getting exposed to finance through informational interviews, competitions and conferences.
Practice behavioral and technical questions extensively
After resume screening, Morgan Stanley will invite selected candidates to first-round Hirevue interviews that contain both behavioral and technical questions. Compared to resumes, Hirevue videos present your communication skills, structured thinking and poise under pressure. Practice mock interviews extensively to master Frameworks for behavioral questions and know detailed steps to approach technical questions. Record your own videos to spot areas of improvement. Highly prepared candidates who can walk interviewers through the technical analysis in a coherent manner stand higher chance of advancing to the Super Day.
Super Day demands both technical excellence and cultural fit
The final round Super Day consists of 5 to 6 back-to-back interviews onsite or virtually, including both investment banking professionals and HR managers. You must showcase technical proficiency in accounting, valuation, financial modeling and strong communication skills. Interviewers also assess your motivation towards investment banking and fit with Morgan Stanley’s collaborate culture. Thorough preparation on technicals remains key, while exercising practices to express your passion for finance and team spirit certainly helps win over the recruiters.
Network extensively to learn about firm culture
While Morgan Stanley recruiting process appears structured and standardized at first look, networking plays a subtle yet impactful role in advancing candidates, especially for international students requiring visa sponsorship. Connect with Morgan Stanley employees on LinkedIn and leverage school alumni network to gain insights about the company’s culture, understand skills and qualities recruiters look for, and obtain referral if possible. Networking demonstrates enthusiasm and fit with the firm’s vision.
Getting hired for Morgan Stanley’s highly competitive investment banking internship takes early planning, extensive technical practices, resume differentiation and networking focus. Class of 2024 interested in securing a Morgan Stanley summer analyst position in 2023 New York, Hong Kong or other offices should start preparation now leveraging the early application timeline.