November 26, 2021

Goldman Sachs is one of the best companies to work for, especially for an engineer. It has a reputation as an aspirational place for young professionals who want to make it big with its top-of-the-line training and development program, which could be very useful if you are looking forward to climbing the ladder of success.

We've put together on this blog post everything you need to know about how their interview process works, and what type of questions you can expect.

What Is the Recruitment Process at Goldman Sachs for Engineering Roles?

The application process at Goldman Sachs usually starts with filling out an online application form, to HackerRank assessment (for engineering candidates), then a video and face-to-face interviews. Here's a walkthrough:

Online Application Form

In your online application, you will be expected to provide:

• CV: Your CV should be in Microsoft Word, Text, Rich Text, or PDF format. It must not be more than 512KB in size, and it should be accessible portrait orientation and read-only status.

• Language skills: information about language skills in other languages

• Personal statement:  You should explain why you want to apply for the job in less than 300 words.

• Cumulative grade or GPA: It must be acknowledged by the institution you are presently enrolled at.

• Examination and degree results

• Education history

• Personal details: It includes your contact information, email, and address.

After submitting the form, you will not be able to change or remove any of your information, except for your personal information.

HackerRank Assessment (for engineering candidates)

A HackerRank assessment will be required for engineering positions at Goldman Sachs jobs and vacancies. This is a code-based technical skills and assessment platform that many software companies utilize.

Applicants may either take a programming and math assessment, math, or programming. There may be a coding test or case study, depending on the Goldman Sachs jobs you chose. 

You can choose among these programming languages to take the programming assessment:

• JavaScript

• Java 7

• Java 8

• Scala

• Python 2

• Python 3

• C++

• C

Because many questions will be dependent on the programming language, you select, pick the one you're most comfortable with and practice tests ahead of time.

The question and answer section of the mathematics assessment will take about 60 minutes, while the coding/programming section will take around 90 minutes.

You should receive an update of the outcome of your assessment within three weeks once you've completed it.

A Video Interview (for most roles)

If you get a Goldman Sachs jobs, you'll be invited to do a video interview. This includes responding to a series of predetermined questions on your tablet, phone, or computer. The whole interview will take around 30 minutes. You'll have 30 seconds to prepare for each question, plus two minutes to answer.

Your interview with Goldman Sachs will be handled by company recruiters, as the firm uses HireView's digital interviewing software.

Video Interview Tips for Success:

• Be yourself: Don't read from pre-scripted responses or hidden notes, as Goldman Sachs wants to get to know you personally. Prepare and research ahead of time to respond naturally and confidently to the questions.

• Practice:  Practice answering questions on video with friends and family, then record yourself. Look for opportunities to improve your answers by pausing after you've read out loud something that is written down, so it sounds more natural than reading from a script or cue cards.

• Be confident: You will need to appear friendly and professional in the interview – be prepared!

• Check your setup:  With the right equipment, you should use your tablet or phone for a video interview. Ensure everything is working before recording yourself, so it saves time if any issues arise during the interview.

• Be aware of background noise: Noises like dogs barking or traffic in the street are not ideal for a Goldman Sachs interview. Be prepared to find a quiet place to take the video interview.

• Give full answers:  Goldman Sachs will appreciate the time to give a full, thorough answer that covers all parts of the question.

• Pay attention to your body language:  Your body language is everything when you're face to face with someone else. Even though the interviewer can't see it, make sure your posture looks professional and confident throughout the video interview.

• Dress appropriately:  Goldman Sachs will be more impressed if you're dressed appropriately during this part, so make sure your clothes match a business environment.

• Do your research:  While you do not have to memorize answers, knowing Goldman Sachs will show the interviewer that you care enough to prepare.

• Be on time: Show up early during your interview so you can adjust your equipment and keep track of the time properly.

Face to Face Interviews

If you are invited to attend a face-to-face interview, prepare for one or more of the following:

• Case study interview: When an interviewer asks about your experience with case studies that require research and analysis, you will be given information on a company or industry that you need to analyze to answer questions related to the business.

• Panel interview: Suppose you are invited to an in-person panel interview. You might be asked to be engaged in a panel interview, typically conducted by two or three people who represent different teams within the company.

• General questions: It will be about your experience, and why you want to work at Goldman Sachs Industry knowledge tests (industry trends, products, services) Math exercises Online coding test. 

Possible General Interview Questions

Here at Recruitmently, we know that the Goldman Sachs recruitment process can be very difficult to navigate. So getting the help of our coaches can be extremely valuable. To help you prepare for the D-DAY, here's a list of some common preparation questions:

• Why do you want this position?

• What are the essential qualities of this position?

• Tell me about a time you had to work on a team.

• How do you handle stressful situations at your current job?

• Give an example of when teamwork didn't go so well in your last role. What did you learn from that experience?"

• What distinguishes Goldman Sachs from other investment banks?

The Goldman Sachs recruitment process can take anywhere from one month up to a year.

You can practice answering these questions and get tips from Recruitmently coaches to help you succeed in your Goldman Sachs career!

Conclusion

Success in the Goldman Sachs recruitment process takes a lot of hard work and preparation, but you can be successful with some practice! You should focus on your ability to exhibit key skills like communication abilities, self-motivation, leadership skills, and a passion for the Goldman Sachs jobs and roles you are pursuing.

You can connect to Recruitmently's dedicated recruiters, who can provide you with personalized 1-on-1 career advice, coaching, and dedicated recruitment support.  

Our coaches can assist with information on how best to approach the recruitment process to allow you to stand out among other candidates. Find a recruiter today and start planning your success in the Goldman Sachs recruitment process.