Applying for a coveted position at a prestigious firm like Morgan Stanley is a significant step in anyone's career journey. The introduction of online video interviews, specifically HireVue, has streamlined the initial screening process for many companies, but it often leaves candidates wondering: "How long does Morgan Stanley take to reply after HireVue?"
This is a question that weighs heavily on the minds of many applicants, creating an anxious waiting period. While there's no exact universal answer due to various factors, we can certainly provide a comprehensive guide to what you can expect, how to manage the wait, and what steps come next.
Navigating the Post-HireVue Waiting Game: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, you've submitted your flawless HireVue interview for Morgan Stanley. You've answered the behavioral and perhaps some technical questions, you've showcased your personality, and now… the silence. It's a familiar feeling for anyone in the job market, but with Morgan Stanley's competitive hiring process, the anticipation can be particularly intense. Let's break down what happens next and how to keep your cool.
Step 1: Congratulations on Completing Your HireVue! Now, Let's Understand the Process.
First and foremost, take a moment to acknowledge that you've completed a significant hurdle in the Morgan Stanley application process. The HireVue is designed to efficiently screen a large volume of candidates, and just receiving an invitation often means your initial application and resume stood out.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
What actually happens after you submit your HireVue? Your recorded responses aren't just immediately reviewed by a human. Often, AI algorithms are initially used to analyze aspects like your speech patterns, keywords used, and even facial expressions to a certain extent. This initial screening helps narrow down the pool of candidates for human recruiters and hiring managers to review.
Key takeaway: Don't assume immediate human review. The process is often layered.
Step 2: The Typical Morgan Stanley HireVue Response Timeline
This is where the "how long" question gets a bit nuanced. The response time from Morgan Stanley after your HireVue can vary significantly based on several factors:
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Volume of Applications: Morgan Stanley receives an enormous number of applications, especially for popular programs like Summer Analyst or full-time roles for recent graduates. Higher volume naturally means longer review times.
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Role and Division: Different divisions (e.g., Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Technology, Wealth Management) and different seniority levels (analyst, associate, VP) might have different recruitment timelines. Highly specialized or senior roles might have a more expedited or tailored review process.
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Recruitment Cycle: Morgan Stanley, like many financial institutions, often has specific recruitment cycles, particularly for campus hires (e.g., summer internships starting in June, full-time roles starting in fall). Applications submitted early in the cycle might hear back sooner, while those submitted closer to a deadline might experience longer waits as recruiters process a backlog.
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Holiday Periods and Firm Closures: Be mindful of major holidays or firm-wide closures, which can significantly delay communication.
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Individual Recruiter Workload: Recruiters manage multiple roles and candidates simultaneously. Their individual workload can impact how quickly they get back to you.
General Timeframes to Expect:
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Initial Shortlisting/Acknowledgement (Automated): You might receive an automated email within a few hours to a few days confirming receipt of your HireVue and that it's under review. This is standard and doesn't necessarily indicate progress.
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First Round Interview Invitation: This is the crucial next step. Historically, candidates have reported hearing back anywhere from a few days to several weeks, or even a couple of months.
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For highly competitive roles and early in the recruitment season: You might hear back within 1-3 weeks.
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During peak application periods or for roles with very high volume: It could extend to 4-8 weeks, or even longer in some cases (some users on forums have reported waiting until mid-October for a HireVue submitted in early July).
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Rejection Notification: Unfortunately, not all applications move forward. Rejection notifications can also come at varying times. Sometimes they are sent out in batches much later in the process, or you might not receive a formal rejection at all (often referred to as "ghosting" in the recruitment world, though less common with firms like Morgan Stanley).
Important Note: If you haven't heard back within a few weeks, it doesn't automatically mean rejection. The process is often lengthy.
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
Step 3: Proactive Steps While You Wait
The waiting period can be agonizing, but it's also an opportunity to be proactive and productive.
Sub-heading: Review and Reflect
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Revisit Your Application Materials: Take this time to thoroughly review the job description you applied for and your own resume/cover letter. Did you highlight the most relevant skills and experiences?
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Analyze Your HireVue Performance: While you can't re-do it, think about your answers. Were they concise, clear, and did they directly address the questions? Did you use the STAR method effectively for behavioral questions? This self-reflection can be valuable for future interviews.
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Research Morgan Stanley Further: Dive deeper into the firm's values, recent news, and the specific division you applied to. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be for subsequent interview rounds.
Sub-heading: Networking and Information Gathering
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
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Connect with Professionals: If you haven't already, utilize LinkedIn to connect with individuals working at Morgan Stanley, especially those in the division you're interested in. A polite informational interview or a brief message of inquiry (without directly asking about your application status) can provide valuable insights and potentially even lead to a referral for future opportunities.
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Leverage Your Network: If you have any contacts who work at Morgan Stanley or who have gone through their hiring process, reach out to them for advice and insights.
Sub-heading: Prepare for the Next Stages
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Anticipate Interview Questions: Based on the role and division, research common behavioral, technical, and fit questions that Morgan Stanley asks in their in-person or live virtual interviews.
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Practice Your Answers: Rehearse your responses out loud. The more comfortable you are articulating your thoughts, the more confident you'll appear.
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Brush Up on Industry Knowledge: Stay updated on current financial news and trends relevant to the role.
Step 4: Following Up (Strategically)
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It's natural to want to follow up, but timing and approach are key.
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Avoid Excessive Follow-Ups: Sending daily or weekly emails will not expedite the process and might even reflect negatively.
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The Initial Follow-Up: If you haven't heard anything within 3-4 weeks of completing your HireVue, a polite, concise follow-up email to the recruiter (if you have their contact information) is acceptable. Reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention your excitement about the opportunity.
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Example Subject Line: "Following Up: [Your Name] - [Job Title] Application"
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Example Body: "Dear [Recruiter Name], I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] position and my recent HireVue interview. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about this role and am very enthusiastic about the prospect of joining Morgan Stanley. Please let me know if there are any further steps required on my end. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]"
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Subsequent Follow-Ups: Unless you receive a direct response indicating a further delay or a new timeline, it's generally best to wait another 2-3 weeks before sending a second follow-up. After that, continued follow-ups may be counterproductive.
Remember: Morgan Stanley's recruiters are managing a large volume of applications. Patience is a virtue here.
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
Step 5: Understanding Potential Next Steps
If your HireVue is successful, you'll typically be invited to the next round of interviews. This can take several forms:
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First-Round Interviews (Phone or Video): These are often 30-45 minute interviews with a recruiter or a junior team member. They focus on behavioral questions, your motivations for the role and firm, and a deeper dive into your resume.
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Superday/Assessment Center: For highly competitive programs, especially for students and recent graduates, this is a common next step. A Superday involves multiple interviews (often back-to-back) with various professionals from the team/division, potentially including case studies, group exercises, or presentations.
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Technical Interviews: For roles in technology, quantitative analysis, or specific finance areas, technical interviews will assess your knowledge of programming languages, data structures, algorithms, financial modeling, or market concepts.
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Final Round Interviews: These are typically with more senior members of the team or department heads.
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| How Long Does Morgan Stanley Take To Reply After Hirevue |
Key Takeaways for the Morgan Stanley HireVue Process
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Patience is paramount: The hiring process at Morgan Stanley is thorough and can take time.
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Don't over-analyze the silence: No news doesn't always mean bad news.
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Be prepared for the next steps: Use the waiting time to your advantage by preparing for subsequent interviews.
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Maintain professionalism: In all your communications, be courteous and concise.
10 Related FAQ Questions: "How to..."
Here are some quick answers to common questions related to the Morgan Stanley HireVue and subsequent steps:
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How to track my Morgan Stanley application status?
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Check the "Careers" section of the Morgan Stanley website where you applied. Your applicant portal or dashboard will usually show the current status (e.g., "Application Received," "Under Review," "Interviewing").
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How to prepare for Morgan Stanley's HireVue interview?
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Research common behavioral questions (e.g., "Why Morgan Stanley?", "Tell me about a time you failed," "Describe a challenging situation"). Practice using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for your answers. Be aware of the time limits (typically 30 seconds prep, 1.5-2 minutes answer).
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How to make my HireVue stand out to Morgan Stanley?
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Be authentic, enthusiastic, and articulate. Maintain good eye contact with the camera, ensure clear audio, and dress professionally. Tailor your answers to Morgan Stanley's values and the specific role.
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How to follow up with Morgan Stanley after a HireVue?
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Send a polite, concise email to the recruiter (if you have their contact) after 3-4 weeks. Reiterate your interest and ask about the next steps.
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How to know if my Morgan Stanley HireVue was successful?
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You will typically receive an email inviting you to the next stage of the interview process (e.g., first-round interviews, Superday).
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How to prepare for a Morgan Stanley first-round interview?
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Review your resume thoroughly, anticipate behavioral questions, research the firm and specific division, and be ready to discuss your motivation for the role and your understanding of the financial industry.
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How to handle a long waiting period after a Morgan Stanley HireVue?
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Stay productive by continuing your job search, preparing for future interview rounds, and networking. Avoid excessive worrying or constant checking of your application status.
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How to find Morgan Stanley recruiter contact information?
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Often, the email inviting you to the HireVue will come from a recruiter. Alternatively, you can sometimes find recruiter profiles on LinkedIn.
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How to prepare for technical questions in a Morgan Stanley interview?
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This depends on the role. For tech roles, review data structures, algorithms, and relevant programming languages. For finance roles, brush up on valuation techniques, market concepts, and current events.
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How to increase my chances of getting hired by Morgan Stanley?
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Beyond a strong HireVue, a tailored resume, relevant experience (internships, projects), strong academic performance, networking, and thorough preparation for each interview stage are crucial.
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