Merrill Lynch interview questions

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Application Requirements

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You will need to show recruiters that you are highly ambitious, confident and highly motivated to succeed. You’ll be a natural team player with a desire to work in financial services. Whatever your academic background, you'll need to show that you have an inquiring mind by asking lots of pertinent questions and that you can communicate complex messages in a clear, simple and articulate way. Relevant work experience and foreign languages are also an advantage.

Application Process

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The application process for full-time jobs and summer internship programmes opens in September and closes in mid-December. Offers are made as early as possible during the school year with full-time offers usually completed by December and summer offers by March. It takes the following format:

  • Online Registration
  • Online Application
  • Online testing
  • Interview/Assessment Centre

Online Application

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Merrill Lynch operates an online application process which includes online tests. Practice tests are available if required on the Merrill Lynch website.

Applications can be made via the website.

Questions at this stage will include:

  • Describe a major piece of work undertaken during your undergraduate degree course.
  • Why you think that you are a strong candidate for this programme.
  • Why you are applying to this particular business division of Merrill Lynch and why you have chosen to apply for a role in this location.

Any additional information to support your application

Online Testing

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This is in two parts and will test your numeracy and analytical thinking.

Part One

The first part of the test will ask you to provide relatively concise answers to difficult numerical based questions. Once you have completed this test, you will be informed almost immediately by email if you have been successful.

If you have passed this section of the test you will be invited to complete the second, more drawn out, psychometric section.

Most people will need to practise the numerical reasoning test to pass it. Pages 7-23 of this book may prove extremely useful in preparing for any of the numerical tests.

Part Two

If successful at this stage, you will be invited to a first round interview, this is usually an hour long interview that involves sitting another longer numerical reasoning test and a 45 minutes one on one technical interview with a representative of the division you are applying for.

Online Application Form

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Questions you will likely find on the application form:

  • Describe a major piece of work undertaken during your undergraduate degree course (please limit your answer to 150 words)

Personal Statement: Please use the space below to describe in less than 400 words:

  • Why you think that you are a strong candidate for this programme.
  • Why you are applying to this particular business division of Merrill Lynch and why you have chosen to apply for a role in this location.
  • Any additional information to support your application

Interview/Assessment Centre

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If successful at the first round interview, you will be invited to attend the assessment centre that involves the following activities.

  • Numerical test
  • Case study
  • Trading game
  • Presentation
  • Interview(s) with executive director(s)

Summer Internship Programme

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