Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Interview

Interviewed Aug 2008 (took 2 weeks)

I had a buddy that I went to B-school with send my resume to the Sales Manager. He sent me an email and invited me to an information session that they were having a local country club. I liked the session and the Sales Manager called a few days later to set up a face-to-face in his office. The first interview was really a get to know each other interview. He invited me to come back the next week for a series of interviews and to take a skills test. He called me a day later and said that he wanted me to come with a business plan consisting of how I was going to gather $30 million in assets in 3 years. Not a small task!!! When I showed up for the next series of interviews, I was given a skills test that all ML'ers have to take and pass. I never found out my exact score, but a secretary took me to the Sales Manager's office where we talked about my business plan and proceeded to do some role playing. He wrapped up the interview with some pointers on how I could improve and said that he would be in touch. 2 days later, he called asked to come by. It was then that he presented and offer and I accepted. The Sales Manager was really the one who sold me on the position. He was very gracious and professional. I instantly liked him. The staff was cordial and professional.