How Goldman Sachs interviews work
Goldman Sachs runs multiple interview rounds depending on the division and role. For most front-office roles (Investment Banking, Sales and Trading, Asset Management), the process includes a HireVue video screen, a first-round interview, and a Super Day (a series of back-to-back interviews in one day, now typically held virtually). Each Super Day interview is 30-45 minutes and covers a mix of technical and behavioral questions.
For technology, risk, and operations roles, the process is similar but the technical content shifts accordingly. Technology interviews include coding and system design. Risk interviews include quantitative problem-solving. All divisions include some behavioral content, as Goldman assesses cultural fit across every function.
Technical finance questions
"Walk me through a DCF." For investment banking and asset management roles, technical finance questions are a core part of the interview. You need to explain how a discounted cash flow model works: project free cash flows, choose an appropriate discount rate (WACC), determine a terminal value, and discount back to the present. Know why each component matters and where the judgement calls are.
"What happens to a company's equity value if depreciation increases by $10 million?" Goldman tests accounting and financial statement knowledge. Work through the income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet impact step by step. Depreciation is non-cash so cash flow from operations increases; net income falls after tax; the net effect depends on the tax rate. Walk through the logic rather than jumping to a number.
Markets and current events questions
"What do you think the Federal Reserve does next with rates, and what does that mean for equities?" Goldman interviews, especially in Sales and Trading, test whether you follow markets and have your own view. You do not need to be right but you need to have a reasoned position. Read the FT or Bloomberg daily in the weeks before your interview and form views on macro events, sector trends, and any deals Goldman has been involved in recently.
"Pitch me a stock." A classic Goldman interview question for markets-facing roles. Choose a company you genuinely understand, explain the investment thesis clearly (why is it undervalued or well-positioned), identify the risks, and state what would change your view. Do not pick the most obvious name in your sector.
Behavioral questions
"Why Goldman Sachs?" Goldman interviewers push on this hard. The answer needs to be specific to Goldman, not to banking generally. Reference the firm's advisory reputation, its position in specific products or geographies, alumni conversations, or something about the culture you have researched. "It is the best bank" is not an answer.
"Tell me about a time you worked under pressure and delivered." Goldman values performance under pressure. Choose a high-stakes example with a clear deadline, show how you managed the pressure practically (not just emotionally), and deliver a specific outcome. Stories from university thesis deadlines, competitive internships, or high-pressure work projects all work.
How to prepare for Goldman Sachs interviews
Technical preparation depends on the division. For IB, master the three financial statements, DCF, LBO basics, and M&A deal mechanics. For markets roles, follow daily market commentary and form views on macro and sector trends. For technology, practice coding in your primary language and review system design fundamentals. All roles benefit from understanding Goldman's recent transactions and any major news about the firm.
For behavioral prep, prepare four to five strong examples covering performance under pressure, teamwork, initiative, and impact. Goldman interviewers move fast in behavioral sections and appreciate concise, structured answers. Get comfortable with the STAR format but keep answers focused, ideally two to three minutes per example before follow-up questions.
Questions to ask your Goldman Sachs interviewer
"How does this desk or team manage the tension between individual performance and collaborative working?" is specific to Goldman's culture and shows you understand the environment. "What is the most intellectually interesting problem this team is working on right now?" signals genuine curiosity about the work rather than just the brand or compensation.
Goldman interviewers often remember candidates who asked genuinely interesting questions. Spend five minutes before each interview reviewing the interviewer's LinkedIn background so you can ask something specifically relevant to their experience or area of coverage.