Merrill interview questions

In April 2026, I interviewed at Merrill, 510 E 96th St Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46240 for a couple of advisor teams, and there was one particular financial advisor and one particular client relationship manager who were being condescending for a reason that I couldn't figure out. Case in point: I went to the restroom in between interviewing with different advisor groups (as there are multiple Merrill firms that work within that office), and upon entering the conference room and sitting down, the advisor was humiliating me because I seemed to be out of breath. I simply was rushing to the restroom between coming from one conference room to another, so that I wouldn't hold anyone up, and he said, "It's really not that far from here (the conference room) to the restroom." The scathing introduction was the onset for an interview that went downhill from there. There was no smile on his face, no enthusiasm in his voice, and none of them wanted to shake my hand at the end. Although I'm highly educated and experienced, these two were trying to find ways to rule me out as a qualified candidate rather than ruling me in. Based upon my advisor's facial expressions, attitude, and line of questions, I knew I would never want to work for him. Yet, I remained professional until the meeting's end. His team received "Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams" recognition for 2025-2026, so I was surprised with the disposition he had towards me. I was under the assumption that since I wasn't bringing money to him as an investor but rather looking for a position to make money, that he thought less of me.

Got introduced to the head of the office (Market Executive) by former colleague who was a financial advisor in that location. The day of my interview I had three interviews. The first two with other advisors in the office who reported back to the head of the office their thoughts on me. By the time I met with the head of the office, it was less of an interview process and more "both advisors recommended you, congratulations, so my job now is to explain to you the particulars should you wish to accept this role." He did agree to my request to set up a one-on-one discussion with one of the most senior advisors in the office before I agreed to accept, and they were very accommodating on my start date.