How do referrals usually work at Morgan Stanley?

While coffee chats may not be formally tracked, they’re valuable for building relationships. If you’re interested in a referral, it’s best to directly ask your contacts (ideally after establishing rapport) or apply through the official portal and mention your connections. The VP chat could be a great opportunity to express your interest and ask about next steps.

Hi There!

You're on the right track by building relationships through coffee chats and asking for warm introductions, that’s exactly how strong networks are formed. At Morgan Stanley, these informal conversations don’t usually get tracked in a central system unless someone chooses to flag you or submit a referral directly. Most internal referrals are submitted through an employee portal, where the referring person typically attaches your resume and vouches for your candidacy.

If you've had a positive conversation, especially with someone more senior like a VP, it’s reasonable to follow up and express your interest in applying. You can ask whether they’d feel comfortable passing along your resume or recommending you through the internal system. Be tactful and genuine in your approach — a well-timed request, especially after a thoughtful conversation, is often welcomed. The goal is to make it easy for them to support you by showing that you’re prepared, professional, and serious about the opportunity.

Hey! 😊

From my experience, it helps to stay in touch regularly with your contacts (sharing occasional updates without being too pushy) so you stay on their radar when referral opportunities come up.

Also, some teams or people prefer to give referrals more informally, so don’t hesitate to ask for feedback and be clear about your genuine interest.

Your upcoming VP chat sounds like a great moment to bring this up naturally, it can often lead to a referral or useful advice on next steps.

Good luck!