Well first I will say that this process has really disappointed me. I don't think what I went through is similar to what other have gone through. I'm not sure why but I think the process the branch manager took me through was disorganized and unprofessional.
I was first contacted by a headhunter firm that was recruiting for the firm in my city. I began the process with an application online, and two skills tests along with a personality test. Several weeks passed, and I was then contacted by the branch manager for a short phone interview. The phone interview was short, but it went very well. Unfortunately, I had to wait 2 and half months until I was contacted again by the MSSB office to come in for a 1 on 1 interview.
Through the 2 months of waiting, I called the office twice a week, every week to follow up by the advice of my recruiter. I think it is very good advice, and might have been the one thing that allowed me to get a 1 on 1 interview. Finally the day came for my 1 on 1 interview. I have excellent interviewing and presentation skills having worked in the financial services sales industry for more than 5 years. Dressed in a nice suit, had several references ready and even another financial advisor in the MSSB office that is one of their top producers as a referral reference. From my perspective, the interview went well and I felt like I walked away impressing the branch manager. The following day I sent a thank you letter for the interview. A week later, I received the E-mail saying that I was not selected to move forward in the interview process. I was told, the next step would have involved a business plan presentation, which I already completed.
Having said that, my disappointment with MSSB is primarily with the lack of professionalism of the Branch manager. I'm disappointed that I didn't get the position, but I shouldn't have to wait 3 months to find that out. I don't care what organization you're with, having a person wait that long to go through the interview process is down right ridiculous! I can understand the company went through a merger and there are a lot of things that were necessary in order to complete that. But, if an organization like Morgan Stanley Smith Barney prides itself on excellence, they must fix the hiring process and hold their standards much higher for those running the branch offices. I have NEVER been more disgusted with a hiring process in my life and now ever if the company offered me a position with another office, I would not consider accepting it.
I decided to take a position with a competing firm. I am not the type of person who holds personal grudges against people for too long, but MSSB should reconsider finding a new branch manager in my area. Me bitter? Nah... Determined? You bet!