Goldman Sachs's Interview Process (2025)

Blog / Goldman Sachs's Interview Process (2025)

Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm that offers a range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base. Known for its rigorous hiring process, the company seeks top-tier software engineering talent to drive innovation and efficiency in its operations. Candidates can expect a thorough evaluation that spans several weeks, often involving multiple stages and various types of assessments. Here's what the interview process typically looks like:

Initial Screen / HireVue Interview: A brief AI-conducted video interview assessing personality and behavioral traits.
Online Assessment (OA) / HackerRank / CoderPad Technical Screening: This step involves a 90-minute to 2-hour coding assessment focusing on Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA).
Onsite Round / Superday: An intense day of 2 to 5 hours with 3 to 5 back-to-back interviews covering coding, system design, and behavioral discussions.
Skillset & Team Fit Interview: A follow-up interview focusing on specific team needs and culture fit, if necessary.
Final Technical Conversation / Hiring Manager Round: A concluding technical discussion covering the candidate's resume and technical background.

In this section, we'll explore the various categories of questions you might encounter during your Goldman Sachs interview. Each category focuses on different skills and knowledge areas essential for a software engineering role.

Coding Questions (Data Structures & Algorithms) - Focused on coding challenges and problem-solving skills.
System Design Questions - Assessing your ability to design complex systems and architectures.
Behavioral Questions - Evaluating your interpersonal skills and cultural fit.
Core CS Fundamentals & Language-Specific Questions - Testing your knowledge of computer science principles and specific programming languages.

1. Coding Questions (Data Structures & Algorithms)Coding challenges form the core of the Goldman Sachs technical interview process, appearing consistently across multiple rounds.Roughly 70% of the technical assessment focuses on data structures and algorithms, testing not just your ability to write code, but also your understanding of time and space complexity and optimization techniques.Candidates commonly encounter problems involving arrays, graphs, dynamic programming, and recursion - often inspired by LeetCode-style challenges. Beyond correctness, interviewers pay close attention to how you approach problem-solving: explaining your thought process clearly, handling edge cases, and iterating toward an optimal solution.Strengthen your fundamentals by revisiting key concepts such as Big-O analysis, data structure trade-offs, and common algorithmic patterns. To prepare effectively, dedicate time to structured DSA practice using our curated TechPrep 100 and the commonly asked Blind 75, as well as the most frequently reported questions for Goldman Sachs interviews here.

2. System Design QuestionsSystem design questions are particularly prevalent during Superday rounds and for experienced candidates.These questions assess your ability to architect scalable, efficient, and maintainable systems, often through scenarios like designing Twitter or a global ride-sharing platform.Candidates should focus on understanding core system design principles, practicing end-to-end designs, and considering components such as databases, caching, load balancing, and APIs.It’s important to discuss trade-offs, justify your choices, and explain how your design meets performance, reliability, and scalability requirements.For hands-on practice, try using our System Design Whiteboard to sketch and iterate on designs as you would in a real interview.

3. Behavioral QuestionsBehavioral questions play a crucial role in evaluating a candidate’s cultural fit, communication abilities, and interpersonal skills.These questions are often integrated into technical interviews and typically focus on real-world scenarios from your past experiences. Examples include discussing challenging situations, explaining how you resolved conflicts, or articulating why you want to work at Goldman.To prepare effectively, reflect on your past projects and experiences, and practice clearly and confidently articulating your thought process. Structure your responses using frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to ensure your answers are concise, impactful, and easy to follow.Highlight experiences that demonstrate problem-solving, leadership, collaboration, and adaptability, showing not just what you did, but how you approached challenges and delivered results.For structured practice, explore our Behavioral Course with sample questions and develop a systematic approach to answering these interviews.

4. Core CS Fundamentals & Language-Specific QuestionsCore computer science concepts and language-specific questions are frequently integrated into technical rounds.Candidates should be prepared to answer questions on topics such as algorithms, data structures, and programming language features, demonstrating not just familiarity but a clear understanding of underlying principles.Certain language-specific questions are also reported, in particular Java-related topics like garbage collection, concurrency, or differences between StringBuffer and StringBuilder. Candidates can review these in our Java Theory section and other language-specific resources here to strengthen their knowledge.To prepare, focus on reviewing key concepts and practice explaining them clearly and succinctly, ensuring you can articulate not only how something works, but why it works that way.

ConclusionPreparing for the Goldman Sachs interview process can be daunting, but with the right strategies, you can set yourself up for success. Focus on honing your coding skills, understanding system design principles, and reflecting on your past experiences to effectively answer behavioral questions. Remember, practice is key - simulate mock interviews using our Behavioral Playbook and AI System Design Whiteboard to build your confidence.To structure your preparation effectively, follow our Goldman Sachs Interview Roadmap, which provides a step-by-step guide covering technical, system design, and behavioral preparation. Approach each interview with a positive mindset, showcasing not only your technical abilities but also your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Good luck as you take the next steps toward your Goldman Sachs career!

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