Morgan Stanley HireVue Questions: The Complete Guide With Real Answers, Insider Tips, and What to Expect

Landing a role at Morgan Stanley is a career game-changer, but first, you need to crush their HireVue interview. Unlike traditional interviews where you can read the room and adjust on the fly, HireVue puts you in front of a camera with limited prep time and no second chances (well, one retry per question).

Here’s the thing: Morgan Stanley uses HireVue to screen thousands of candidates for investment banking, wealth management, and technology roles. You’ll typically face 3-5 questions with 30 seconds to prepare and up to 2 minutes to record your response. The platform analyzes not just what you say, but how you say it, including your tone, body language, and word choice.

The good news? HireVue questions follow predictable patterns. Morgan Stanley tends to ask similar questions year after year, focusing heavily on behavioral scenarios, your interest in the firm, and your understanding of recent market activity. This means you can actually prepare for the most common questions and walk in confident.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the top 10 Morgan Stanley HireVue questions with natural, conversational sample answers that sound like a real person, not a robot. We’ll also share insider tips from candidates who’ve successfully navigated the process. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to structure your responses, what Morgan Stanley is really looking for, and how to make a strong impression even through a screen.

Let’s start by understanding what makes this particular interview format unique. If you’re also working on your resume, check out our guide on resume formats that will dominate to ensure your application gets you to the HireVue stage in the first place.

What Makes Morgan Stanley’s HireVue Different

Morgan Stanley’s HireVue interview operates on a tight timeline. You get 30 seconds of prep time and typically 1.5 to 2 minutes to record your answer. The platform allows one retry per question, so you can re-record if you stumble, but you can’t preview questions ahead of time.

HireVue uses AI to analyze your responses. The technology examines verbal content, vocal tone, facial expressions, and body language to generate an employability score. This means your delivery matters just as much as your content.

The interview usually takes about 30 minutes total and includes 3-5 questions. Most questions are behavioral in nature, though investment banking candidates should expect at least one technical or deal-related question. Unlike some firms that rotate questions annually, Morgan Stanley has shown consistency in their question bank, giving prepared candidates a real advantage.

According to Morgan Stanley’s official interview preparation resources, the firm uses interviews to understand who you are, what motivates you, and whether you understand their business. The HireVue format simply makes this initial screening more efficient.

Interview Guys Tip: Don’t let the AI analysis psych you out. The technology is designed to reduce bias, not penalize natural human behavior. Focus on being yourself while staying professional and prepared.

The Top 10 Morgan Stanley HireVue Questions (With Sample Answers)

1. Why Are You Interested in Morgan Stanley?

This question appears in approximately 80% of Morgan Stanley HireVues. They’re not looking for generic praise about being a “leading investment bank.” They want to understand why Morgan Stanley specifically appeals to you versus Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, or any other competitor.

What They’re Really Asking: Do you understand our culture? Have you done your research? Are you genuinely interested or just applying everywhere?

Sample Answer:

“I’m drawn to Morgan Stanley because of your commitment to giving junior analysts real responsibility from day one. When I spoke with Sarah Chen, an analyst in your M&A group, she mentioned working directly on live deal components during her first month, not just building comps in the background. That hands-on learning environment is exactly what I’m looking for.

Beyond that, I’m impressed by Morgan Stanley’s recent work on the $28 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition. The regulatory complexity of that deal, especially navigating international antitrust concerns, demonstrates the sophisticated problem-solving I want to be part of. I also value your One Firm culture. The fact that you broke down silos between divisions tells me I’ll have access to diverse perspectives and mentorship across the firm, not just within my immediate team.”

Why This Works: It’s specific, demonstrates research, references an actual conversation with a current employee, and mentions a real deal Morgan Stanley worked on. The answer connects personal career goals to Morgan Stanley’s specific strengths.

Interview Guys Tip: Always mention a specific recent deal Morgan Stanley worked on. This shows you’ve done your homework and aren’t just copy-pasting generic answers. Check Morgan Stanley’s website or financial news from the past 6 months.

2. Tell Me About Yourself / Walk Me Through Your Resume

This opener tests your ability to deliver a concise, relevant professional narrative. Focus on experiences that connect to the role you’re pursuing. This isn’t an invitation to recite your entire life story or read your resume line by line.

What They’re Really Asking: Can you communicate clearly? Do you understand what’s relevant? Can you tell a coherent story about your career trajectory?

Sample Answer:

“I’m currently a junior at NYU studying finance with a concentration in corporate valuation. My interest in investment banking started during a summer internship at a boutique advisory firm, where I supported three M&A transactions from pitch to close. I built financial models, conducted industry research, and even sat in on client calls, which gave me a realistic view of the work.

Last semester, I led our student investment fund, managing a $200,000 portfolio. We outperformed our benchmark by 8%, but more importantly, I learned how to make decisions under pressure and communicate complex financial concepts to stakeholders with varying levels of expertise. I’m also involved in the Finance Society, where I’ve organized case competitions that brought in professionals from firms like Morgan Stanley to speak with students.

I’m applying to Morgan Stanley because I want to build on this foundation at a firm known for developing analysts into well-rounded bankers. I’m ready for the challenge and excited about the learning curve ahead.”

Why This Works: It’s chronological but selective, highlighting only relevant experiences. It includes specific achievements with numbers, shows initiative beyond academics, and ends with a clear connection to Morgan Stanley.

If you’re struggling to structure your professional story effectively, our article on how to answer “tell me about yourself” provides a deeper framework you can adapt.

3. Tell Me About a Time You Faced a Challenge and How You Overcame It

This classic behavioral question requires the SOAR Method: Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result. Remember, we teach SOAR instead of STAR because explicitly highlighting the obstacle makes your problem-solving abilities more impressive.

What They’re Really Asking: How do you handle adversity? Do you take ownership? Can you solve problems independently?

Sample Answer (using SOAR):

Situation: “During my internship at a financial research firm, I was assigned to analyze the competitive landscape for a client in the renewable energy sector.”

Obstacle: “Two weeks into the project, our main data source unexpectedly discontinued its free tier, which we’d been relying on for market data. This threatened to derail our entire analysis and we were already behind schedule.”

Action: “I didn’t want to just tell my manager we hit a roadblock. Instead, I spent a day researching alternative data sources, discovered that our university library provided access to a similar database, and reached out to two professors who specialized in energy markets for additional industry reports. I also restructured our analysis to incorporate more qualitative insights from primary sources, which actually made our final deliverable stronger.”

Result: “We delivered the project on time, and the client specifically praised the depth of our industry insights. My manager said the resourcefulness I showed under pressure was exactly the problem-solving mindset they look for in full-time hires. I learned that obstacles often push you toward better solutions if you stay proactive.”

Why This Works: It follows the SOAR structure clearly, demonstrates initiative rather than just compliance, shows resourcefulness, and ends with a tangible result plus a lesson learned.

Interview Guys Tip: Choose challenges that demonstrate initiative, not just compliance. Morgan Stanley wants to see you take ownership of problems rather than waiting for someone else to fix them. For more examples of effective SOAR responses, check our guide on behavioral interview questions.

4. Describe Your Ability to Collaborate and Work in a Group Setting

Team dynamics matter enormously in banking, where you’ll work closely with analysts, associates, and senior bankers on high-pressure deals. This question assesses your interpersonal skills and self-awareness about team dynamics.

What They’re Really Asking: Are you a team player? Can you handle conflict constructively? Do you understand group dynamics?

Sample Answer (using SOAR):

Situation: “In my corporate finance class, we had a semester-long group project to value a publicly traded company and present our findings to a panel of industry professionals.”

Obstacle: “One team member consistently missed deadlines, which created tension because the rest of us were staying up late to compensate. We had three weeks left and were way behind.”

Action: “Instead of complaining, I asked to meet with him one-on-one to understand what was going on. Turns out he was overwhelmed by a family situation and felt embarrassed to ask for help. I proposed redistributing tasks based on everyone’s current bandwidth and set up quick daily check-ins so issues wouldn’t pile up. I also offered to take on his financial modeling section since I was stronger there, while he took over the presentation design, which he was actually great at.”

Result: “We finished the project and received the highest grade in the class. More importantly, we actually became a stronger team because we learned to communicate openly instead of making assumptions. That experience taught me that collaboration isn’t about everyone doing equal work; it’s about playing to strengths and being flexible when circumstances change.”

Why This Works: It shows emotional intelligence, proactive communication, and the ability to find solutions rather than assign blame. It also demonstrates flexibility and understanding that team dynamics require adaptation.

5. What Recent Transaction or Business Trend Interests You?

Investment banking candidates should expect this question. It tests your market awareness, genuine interest in finance, and ability to think critically about business strategy. According to industry experts at Leland, this question appears in about 20% of Morgan Stanley HireVues.

What They’re Really Asking: Do you follow the markets? Can you think analytically about deals? Are you genuinely interested in this work or just chasing prestige?

Sample Answer:

“I’ve been following the surge in AI infrastructure M&A, specifically NVIDIA’s partnerships and the competition to secure chip manufacturing capacity. What fascinates me is how capital markets are valuing companies not just on current revenue, but on their positioning in the AI supply chain.

For example, Morgan Stanley advised on several semiconductor deals this past year. The multiples being paid reflect a bet on future demand rather than historical performance, which creates interesting valuation challenges. You can’t just run a standard DCF when the entire market landscape might shift in 18 months.

I’m also watching how regulatory scrutiny is evolving. We’re seeing governments worldwide treating AI infrastructure as strategic assets, similar to energy or telecommunications. That adds complexity to cross-border transactions. From an investment banking perspective, it’s a space where technical expertise, strategic advisory, and regulatory navigation all intersect, which is exactly the kind of sophisticated work I want to learn.”

Why This Works: It demonstrates genuine intellectual curiosity, connects to Morgan Stanley’s actual work, shows understanding of valuation complexity, and considers multiple dimensions (regulatory, strategic, financial) of deal-making.

Interview Guys Tip: Never discuss a deal that Morgan Stanley wasn’t involved in. Always tie your answer back to something Morgan Stanley specifically worked on or has a clear perspective about. This shows you’ve done firm-specific research.

6. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

They’re testing self-awareness and honesty. According to career coach Carla Harris from Morgan Stanley, you should avoid clichés like “I’m a perfectionist” and instead show genuine self-reflection.

What They’re Really Asking: Do you know yourself? Can you be honest about areas for improvement? Have you actively worked on your weaknesses?

Sample Answer:

“My biggest strength is my ability to learn quickly and adapt. When I started my internship, I’d never built a leveraged buyout model. Within two weeks, I’d taught myself the mechanics and was building sensitivity analyses independently. I’m comfortable being uncomfortable, which serves me well when diving into unfamiliar industries or complex financial structures.

As for weaknesses, I sometimes struggle with delegating because I worry about quality control. Last semester when I led our case competition team, I initially tried to review everyone’s work line by line, which created a bottleneck. I realized I was actually slowing us down instead of helping. I’ve been working on trusting my teammates more and focusing my energy on strategic decisions rather than micromanaging details. I still care deeply about quality, but I’m learning to balance that with efficiency and trust.”

Why This Works: The strength is specific and backed by a concrete example. The weakness is real (not a humble-brag), shows self-awareness, and most importantly, demonstrates active efforts to improve.

For more guidance on handling this tricky question effectively, read our article on answering “what are your strengths and weaknesses”.

7. Why Should We Hire You?

This is your elevator pitch. Connect your specific skills to what Morgan Stanley needs. Don’t just list qualifications; explain why those qualifications matter for this specific role.

What They’re Really Asking: What makes you different from the other 500 applicants? Why are you the right fit for this specific role?

Sample Answer:

“You should hire me because I bring a combination of technical capability, genuine intellectual curiosity about markets, and the work ethic required to excel in a demanding environment.

I’ve already proven I can handle the technical side through my internship experience and coursework. I’m proficient in financial modeling, comfortable with Excel and Python, and I understand how to translate complex analyses into clear client deliverables.

But beyond the technical skills, I genuinely love this work. I’m the person who reads earnings calls for fun and gets excited about corporate restructurings. I understand that investment banking requires long hours and intense pressure, and I’m not just willing to do that work; I actually find it energizing when I’m learning and contributing to meaningful transactions.

Finally, I’m coachable. I take feedback seriously, I ask questions when I don’t understand something, and I’m committed to developing into the kind of banker who adds real value to clients and to the firm. Morgan Stanley invests heavily in training analysts, and I’m ready to make the most of that investment.”

Why This Works: It covers three distinct angles (technical skills, genuine interest, coachability), shows understanding of the role’s demands, and positions the candidate as someone who will maximize Morgan Stanley’s training investment.

8. Tell Me About a Time You Failed

They want to see accountability and growth, not deflection or excuses. This question reveals character and your ability to learn from mistakes.

What They’re Really Asking: Can you own your mistakes? Do you learn from failures? How do you handle setbacks?

Sample Answer (using SOAR):

Situation: “During my sophomore year, I was treasurer of our business fraternity, responsible for managing our budget and fundraising for events.”

Obstacle: “I underestimated costs for our annual conference and we ended up $3,000 short just weeks before the event. I’d built my budget on last year’s numbers without accounting for inflation and increased venue costs.”

Action: “I immediately called an emergency board meeting, took full responsibility, and presented three options: scale back the event, find emergency sponsors, or pull from our reserve fund. We decided to do targeted outreach to alumni and local businesses. I personally made 50 calls over the next two weeks and secured enough sponsorships to cover the shortfall.”

Result: “We held the conference successfully, and I learned a painful but valuable lesson about building conservative assumptions into financial planning. Now, whenever I’m creating a budget or forecast, I always stress-test my numbers and build in a contingency. That failure made me much more thorough and detail-oriented in my financial work.”

Why This Works: It shows complete ownership (no blaming others), demonstrates problem-solving under pressure, and most importantly, articulates specific lessons learned and how they’ve been applied since.

Interview Guys Tip: Always follow failures with specific lessons learned and how you’ve applied those lessons since. Morgan Stanley wants to see growth, not just humble-bragging disguised as a weakness.

9. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

Investment banks want to know you’re thinking long-term about your career, not just using them as a resume line. They invest significant resources in training analysts, so they want to see commitment.

What They’re Really Asking: Are you serious about this career path? Do you have realistic expectations? Will you stick around?

Sample Answer:

“In five years, I see myself as an experienced associate at Morgan Stanley, having developed deep expertise in a specific sector like technology or healthcare. I want to be someone junior analysts can learn from and someone clients trust to understand the strategic nuances of their industry.

I’m particularly drawn to the idea of becoming a sector specialist because I believe the most impactful bankers aren’t just financial engineers; they’re strategic advisors who understand how industry dynamics affect corporate decision-making. I’d love to reach a point where I’m contributing to pitch strategy and helping identify opportunities for clients, not just executing on deals.

That said, I’m also realistic about the learning curve ahead. My first priority is mastering the fundamentals and proving myself as a reliable analyst. The five-year vision is what motivates me, but I know I need to earn every step forward.”

Why This Works: It shows ambition tempered with realism, demonstrates understanding of career progression in banking, and positions the candidate as someone thinking about adding value, not just advancing titles.

10. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

Even in a HireVue format, some interviews end with this. Have thoughtful questions ready that demonstrate you’ve researched Morgan Stanley specifically.

What They’re Really Asking: Are you genuinely curious? Have you researched us? Are you thinking critically about this opportunity?

Sample Answer:

“Yes, actually. I’d love to know more about how Morgan Stanley approaches analyst development in the first year. I’ve heard that junior bankers here get meaningful client exposure early on. What does that progression typically look like, and how does the firm ensure analysts are prepared for those moments?

I’m also curious about collaboration across divisions. Morgan Stanley’s One Firm philosophy is something that attracted me to apply. Can you share an example of how different groups work together on complex transactions?

Finally, what advice would you give to someone starting in this role about how to add the most value during those first few months?”

Why This Works: These questions demonstrate research into Morgan Stanley’s culture, show genuine interest in development, and position the candidate as someone already thinking about adding value.

Interview Guys Tip: These questions demonstrate you’ve researched Morgan Stanley’s culture and you’re thinking seriously about excelling in the role. Even if you don’t get to ask them during HireVue, having them prepared shows intentionality.

Top 5 Insider Interview Tips From Glassdoor

Based on hundreds of candidate reviews on Glassdoor, here are the most valuable insider tips from people who’ve been through Morgan Stanley’s interview process.

Tip 1: Memorize Your Resume Completely

Multiple Glassdoor reviews emphasize that Morgan Stanley interviewers will grill you on every line of your resume. If you listed a skill, project, or experience, be ready to discuss it in detail. One candidate noted: “They asked me to explain a specific line from my resume that I’d honestly forgotten about. Know every detail.”

This is especially important because HireVue gives you limited prep time. You can’t afford to spend 20 of your 30 seconds trying to remember details about an internship from two years ago. Rehearse stories about every significant item on your resume until you can discuss them naturally and confidently.

Tip 2: Research Recent Deals Morgan Stanley Worked On

Successful candidates consistently mentioned referencing specific Morgan Stanley transactions during their interviews. Check the firm’s “Transactions” page or recent financial news from Bloomberg, Reuters, or the Wall Street Journal. Demonstrating awareness of their recent work separates you from generic applicants who could be interviewing anywhere.

Focus on deals from the past 6-12 months and understand not just the headline numbers, but the strategic rationale and challenges. This level of research shows genuine interest and helps you answer “Why Morgan Stanley?” convincingly.

Tip 3: Prepare for Both Behavioral and Technical Questions

While HireVue leans behavioral, don’t skip technical prep. Glassdoor reviewers noted occasional questions about market trends, valuation methods, and current economic conditions. Be ready to discuss the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy, recent IPOs in your sector of interest, or industry-specific dynamics.

One investment banking candidate mentioned getting asked about EV/EBITDA multiples and why companies in the same industry might trade at different valuations. Another technology analyst candidate faced questions about networking fundamentals and object-oriented programming concepts. Know your technical fundamentals cold.

Tip 4: Practice Speaking Concisely Under Time Pressure

The 2-minute time limit trips up many candidates. Multiple Glassdoor reviews mentioned running over time or feeling rushed. Practice answering common questions out loud with a timer. Aim to finish 10-15 seconds early rather than getting cut off mid-sentence.

Record yourself answering questions and watch the playback. Most people speak longer than they think. If your practice answer consistently runs 2 minutes and 30 seconds, you need to cut content, not just speak faster. Speaking too quickly makes you seem nervous and harder to understand.

Tip 5: Use the Practice Questions Seriously

HireVue offers practice questions before the real interview. Treat these seriously. Record yourself multiple times, watch the playback, and adjust your body language, pacing, and eye contact. Only you can see these practice recordings, so use them to work out the nerves.

According to HireVue’s official candidate tips, taking advantage of practice questions is one of the most underutilized preparation tools. Candidates who skip this step often report feeling more anxious during the actual interview because they haven’t experienced the format.

Technical Setup: Get This Right Before You Start

Your technical setup can make or break your HireVue interview. Even brilliant answers won’t matter if the interviewer can’t see or hear you clearly. Here’s how to optimize your environment.

Camera and Lighting

Position your laptop at eye level so you’re looking straight into the camera, not down at it. Use books or a laptop stand to raise your screen if needed. Natural lighting from a window in front of you works best, but if that’s not available, use a desk lamp positioned behind your computer to illuminate your face evenly.

Avoid backlighting (sitting in front of a window), which turns you into a dark silhouette. Test your lighting at the same time of day you’ll take the actual interview, since natural light changes throughout the day.

Background and Environment

Choose a clean, quiet space with a neutral background. No roommates, pets, or distractions. A plain wall works better than a cluttered bookshelf or busy wallpaper. Close unnecessary tabs and apps on your computer to prevent notifications from popping up mid-answer.

Tell everyone in your household about your interview timing. Put a sign on your door. Silence your phone and put it in another room. These seem like obvious steps, but Glassdoor reviews include multiple stories of candidates getting interrupted by roommates or pets.

Dress Code

Dress exactly as you would for an in-person interview. Business professional attire signals that you’re taking this seriously. Yes, they can only see you from the chest up, but wearing full professional clothing helps you get into the right mindset.

For men, that typically means a suit and tie. For women, business professional typically means a suit or professional blouse. Avoid busy patterns or bright colors that can look distracting on camera. Solid colors in darker tones work best.

Audio Quality

Use headphones or earbuds with a built-in microphone if possible. They reduce background noise better than your computer’s built-in mic. Do a test recording to ensure you’re coming through clearly. Speak at your normal volume and check that your voice isn’t muffled or tinny.

If you’re using wireless headphones, make sure they’re fully charged before starting. The last thing you want is your audio cutting out halfway through an answer.

For more comprehensive guidance on virtual interview setups, check out our article on video interview best practices.

Interview Oracle: This Tool Predicts What Questions You’ll Be Asked In Your Interview!

Most candidates walk into interviews blind. This AI predictor analyzes job descriptions to reveal the exact behavioral and technical questions you’ll likely face – giving you the unfair advantage of knowing what’s coming.

How to Use the SOAR Method for Behavioral Questions

Morgan Stanley’s behavioral questions are best answered using the SOAR Method: Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result. This framework helps you tell compelling, structured stories that showcase your problem-solving abilities.

Situation: Set the scene briefly. What was the context? Where were you working, and what was your role? Keep this to 1-2 sentences. You’re establishing the foundation, not writing a novel.

Obstacle: Identify the specific challenge or problem you faced. What made this situation difficult or complex? This is the critical differentiator from the STAR method. By explicitly naming the obstacle, you set up your actions as solutions to a real problem, making them more impressive.

Action: Describe the concrete steps you took to address the obstacle. This is where you demonstrate initiative, creativity, and skills. Be specific about what YOU did, not just what the team did. Use “I” statements rather than “we” statements to clarify your individual contribution.

Result: Share the outcome. Quantify it when possible. What changed because of your actions? What did you learn? Strong results include both the immediate outcome and the longer-term lesson or impact.

Why SOAR Works Better Than STAR

The traditional STAR method combines Situation and Task into one element, which often leads to vague problem statements. SOAR explicitly highlights the obstacles you overcame, which makes your problem-solving abilities more impressive. The challenge becomes the hero of the story, and you’re the person who defeated it.

Investment banks like Morgan Stanley care deeply about problem-solving under pressure. By structuring your stories around obstacles, you’re speaking directly to what they value most.

For a deeper dive into this methodology, read our complete guide on using the SOAR method effectively.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learning what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Here are the most common mistakes candidates make during Morgan Stanley HireVue interviews.

Being Too Generic

Answers like “I want to work in investment banking because I love finance” won’t differentiate you from the hundreds of other applicants. Be specific about why Morgan Stanley, why this division, and why now. Generic enthusiasm reads as lazy research.

Every answer should include at least one detail that couldn’t apply to any other firm. If you could swap “Morgan Stanley” for “Goldman Sachs” and your answer still works, you’re being too generic.

Going Over Time

HireVue cuts you off when time expires. Practice ruthlessly with a timer. It’s better to finish with 10 seconds to spare than get cut off mid-sentence, which makes you seem unprepared and unable to communicate concisely.

According to career experts at the Corporate Finance Institute, running overtime is one of the most common mistakes candidates make. The technology doesn’t care about your brilliant conclusion; it will stop recording exactly when time expires.

Looking at the Screen Instead of the Camera

This makes it appear like you’re not making eye contact, which can seem evasive or disengaged. Train yourself to look directly into the camera lens when speaking, even though it feels unnatural. The camera is your interviewer.

Practice this beforehand because it doesn’t come naturally. Most people instinctively look at their own image on the screen or at the question text. Force yourself to look at that tiny camera lens.

Reading from Notes Too Obviously

Having notes nearby is fine, but if you’re clearly reading word-for-word, it shows. Use bullet points for key ideas, not full scripts. Your eyes constantly shifting down to read notes is very obvious on camera.

The best approach is to have a few bullet points visible to jog your memory if you blank, but to practice enough that you rarely need to glance at them.

Forgetting to Smile and Show Energy

Video flattens your energy. What feels like normal enthusiasm in person can read as flat on camera. Bring slightly more energy than feels comfortable to compensate. This doesn’t mean being fake or overly animated, but it does mean consciously projecting warmth and engagement.

Record practice answers and watch them back. If you look bored or robotic, you need to bring more energy. Banking is intense and collaborative work. They want to see that you have the personality to thrive in that environment.

Not Using the Practice Questions

HireVue provides practice questions specifically so you can get comfortable with the format. Skipping this step means you’ll be figuring out the technology and format during your actual interview, which wastes precious time and increases anxiety.

The practice questions are a free opportunity to work out technical issues, adjust your camera angle, and get comfortable speaking to a lens instead of a person. Use them.

For more common pitfalls to avoid, read our article on interview mistakes that cost you the job.

What Happens After HireVue

If you pass the HireVue round, Morgan Stanley will typically invite you to a phone screen or first-round interview with a team member. This next round often includes more technical questions, especially for investment banking roles. Be prepared to discuss valuation methodologies, accounting concepts, and your understanding of recent market activity.

The phone screen usually lasts 20-30 minutes and is conducted by an analyst, associate, or VP from the team you’re applying to. They’ll ask follow-up questions about your background, dive deeper into your technical knowledge, and assess your communication skills in a more interactive format.

Timeline Expectations

The timeline varies significantly. Some candidates hear back within a week; others wait several weeks. Morgan Stanley receives thousands of applications, so patience is important. According to Glassdoor reviews, the typical timeline from HireVue submission to response ranges from one to four weeks.

If you haven’t heard back after three weeks, a polite follow-up email to your recruiter is appropriate. Keep it brief and professional: express continued interest, ask if they need any additional information, and thank them for their time.

Superday Preparation

Superday interviews (final rounds) typically include multiple back-to-back interviews with different team members, a group exercise or case study, and behavioral questions that dive deeper into your experiences. Technical preparation becomes even more critical at this stage.

One Glassdoor reviewer noted: “The superday consisted of 3 back-to-back interviews along with a group case study. The interview lasted about 3 hours and was quite rigorous.” Be prepared for a full day of intense evaluation.

Group exercises often involve analyzing a case study, developing recommendations, and presenting as a team within a tight timeframe (usually 25-30 minutes for the entire exercise). They’re evaluating both your analytical abilities and your collaboration skills under pressure.

Final Thoughts

Morgan Stanley’s HireVue interview is your first real opportunity to stand out in a competitive applicant pool. Master the top 10 questions we’ve covered, practice your delivery with the camera, and research the firm’s recent deals before you start recording.

Remember: HireVue isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being prepared, authentic, and demonstrating genuine interest in Morgan Stanley specifically. Use the SOAR Method for behavioral questions, keep your answers concise and structured, and let your personality show through the screen.

The candidates who succeed are the ones who treat HireVue with the same seriousness as an in-person interview. Put in the preparation time, use the practice questions, and trust that your hard work will come through.

Investment banking is demanding work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding for people who genuinely love finance, thrive under pressure, and want to work on deals that shape entire industries. If that sounds like you, then you’re interviewing for the right reasons.

Now get out there, practice those answers, set up your camera, and show Morgan Stanley why you deserve a spot on their team. You’ve got this.

To help you prepare even further, we’ve created a resource with proven answers to the top questions interviewers are asking right now. Check out our interview answers cheat sheet:

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