Top 10 Goldman Sachs Interview Questions and Answers: The Complete 2025 Guide to Landing Your Dream Role at the World’s Premier Investment Bank

Why Goldman Sachs Interviews Are Different from Every Other Investment Bank

Landing an interview at Goldman Sachs puts you in elite company. With an acceptance rate of approximately 4%, you’ve already beaten odds tougher than gaining admission to Ivy League universities.

Goldman Sachs doesn’t just evaluate your technical finance skills. They’re assessing whether you embody their four core values: Partnership, Client Service, Integrity, and Excellence. Every question is designed to determine if you’ll thrive in Goldman’s collaborative, high-performance culture.

The hiring process typically takes 3-4 weeks. According to Glassdoor reviews, candidates rate the interview difficulty at 3.11 out of 5, with the process being more behavioral-question intensive than most competitors.

The Goldman Sachs Interview Process: What to Expect at Each Stage

Stage 1: Resume Screening

Your journey begins with a one-page resume submission. The recruiting team makes keep-or-cut decisions within minutes. Your resume needs to showcase relevant internships, strong academics, and leadership experiences.

Stage 2: HireVue Video Interview

This AI-assisted video interview consists of 4-6 questions, primarily behavioral. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare and approximately 2 minutes to record each response. The system analyzes up to 25,000 data points to help recruiters identify top performers.

Practice with HireVue’s unlimited practice questions before starting your actual interview. You typically only get three attempts per question.

Stage 3: Superday Interviews

Goldman’s final round consists of 2-5 back-to-back interviews lasting 30-45 minutes each. These blend behavioral questions (expect them to dominate), technical finance questions, and business sense discussions about recent deals or market trends.

To help you prepare, we’ve created a resource with proven answers to the top questions interviewers are asking right now. Check out our interview answers cheat sheet:

Top 10 Goldman Sachs Interview Questions and Expert Answers

1. Why Do You Want to Work at Goldman Sachs?

This question appears in virtually every Goldman interview. Generic answers about “prestige” or “compensation” will sink your chances immediately.

Sample Answer:

“What draws me specifically to Goldman Sachs is the firm’s strategic positioning in debt underwriting. In David Solomon’s recent shareholder communications, I noticed Goldman now generates over $3 billion in net revenues from debt underwriting, more than doubling the firm’s previous performance. What impresses me is that Goldman achieved third place in league tables with a relatively marginal balance sheet compared to banks with commercial arms.

This tells me Goldman’s competitive advantage comes from the strategic advisory that accompanies the underwriting, not just balance sheet capacity. That’s the environment where I want to build my career, where intellectual rigor and client relationships drive results. Additionally, Goldman’s commitment to sustainable finance aligns with my personal values. I’m particularly interested in contributing to the firm’s goal of facilitating over $150 billion in sustainable finance initiatives.”

Why This Works: The answer demonstrates specific research, references actual performance metrics, and connects personal values to Goldman’s strategic initiatives. It shows you want Goldman specifically, not just any investment bank.

2. Tell Me About a Time You Had to Work with a Difficult Team Member

This behavioral question assesses your teamwork and interpersonal skills. When answering behavioral questions, use the SOAR Method to structure your response.

Sample Answer (Using SOAR Method):

“During my internship at a financial services firm, I was assigned to a team developing a client pitch deck for a potential M&A transaction.

Situation: We had a five-person team working under a tight two-week deadline. One team member, who had significantly more experience than the rest of us, consistently dismissed ideas from junior team members and rarely attended our coordination meetings.

Obstacle: This created tension within the team and slowed our progress because we couldn’t get timely feedback on critical components. We were at risk of missing our deadline and delivering a disjointed presentation.

Action: Rather than escalating immediately, I scheduled a one-on-one coffee meeting with this colleague. I acknowledged their extensive experience and asked for their perspective on how we could work more effectively as a team. I learned they felt overwhelmed by concurrent projects and assumed junior members couldn’t handle complex analysis. I proposed that we redistribute workload more strategically and establish a clear workflow where junior members handled initial research and formatting while they focused on strategic insights and client relationship components.

Result: This conversation completely transformed our dynamic. The team member became much more engaged, attending meetings and providing constructive feedback. We delivered the pitch deck two days early, and our managing director specifically praised the cohesive quality of our work. More importantly, this experience taught me that difficult team dynamics often stem from miscommunication or stress rather than personality conflicts.”

Interview Guys Tip: Goldman prioritizes partnership and collaboration above individual performance. Frame your answer to show how you strengthened team dynamics rather than simply “dealing with” a difficult person. This aligns directly with Goldman’s core value of Partnership.

3. Walk Me Through a Recent M&A Deal You Found Interesting

This business sense question tests your market awareness and analytical thinking. Goldman expects candidates to follow financial news regularly.

Sample Answer:

“I’ve been following Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which closed in 2023 after extensive regulatory scrutiny.

The deal faced pushback from the FTC, UK’s CMA, and EU regulators concerned about Microsoft’s potential dominance in cloud gaming. Microsoft succeeded by making significant concessions, including a 10-year agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation.

Strategically, this acquisition repositions Microsoft in gaming. They’re acquiring recurring revenue through subscriptions, mobile gaming exposure through King (Candy Crush), and content that strengthens their Xbox Game Pass ecosystem.

The $69 billion price tag seemed steep initially, but considering Activision generates approximately $8 billion in annual revenue with strong margins, and gaming represents a $200 billion global market growing at double-digit rates, the strategic rationale becomes compelling. Microsoft needed this scale to compete against Sony and position themselves for the convergence of gaming and metaverse technologies.”

Why This Works: You’ve demonstrated knowledge of deal structure, regulatory challenges, strategic rationale, and financial considerations. Following major business developments shows genuine interest in finance.

4. How Do You Stay Current with Financial Markets and Industry Trends?

Goldman wants candidates who are genuinely passionate about finance and markets, not just attracted to compensation.

Sample Answer:

“I start every morning reading the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, focusing particularly on markets coverage and deals sections. I subscribe to Goldman Sachs Research publications and regularly review your Top of Mind series, which provides excellent thematic insights on macroeconomic trends.

Beyond traditional media, I follow several economists and market strategists on LinkedIn and Twitter who provide real-time market commentary. I find the diverse perspectives valuable, especially during periods of market volatility.

I also maintain a personal portfolio where I track about 15 companies across different sectors. This hands-on approach forces me to understand financial statements, follow earnings calls, and think critically about valuation. When you have actual money invested, even modest amounts, you pay closer attention to market dynamics.

Additionally, I participate in my university’s investment club where we analyze companies and present investment theses weekly. The peer review process has sharpened my analytical skills significantly.

Finally, I attend virtual events and webinars hosted by financial institutions and industry organizations. Last month I attended a Goldman Sachs event on sustainable investing that reinforced my interest in working here specifically.”

Interview Guys Tip: Mention specific Goldman Sachs resources like research publications or events you’ve attended. This demonstrates you’re already engaging with the firm’s intellectual capital and are genuinely interested in their perspective on markets.

5. Tell Me About a Time You Failed and What You Learned

Goldman values integrity and accountability. They want candidates who can acknowledge mistakes and demonstrate growth.

Sample Answer (Using SOAR Method):

Situation: During my sophomore year, I was treasurer of our finance club responsible for managing a $10,000 budget for club events and competitions.

Obstacle: I failed to properly track several small expenditures throughout the semester, assuming I could reconcile everything later. When the university required our annual financial report, I discovered we were $800 over budget with no clear documentation of where the money went. This put our club’s funding status for the following year at risk.

Action: I immediately informed the club president and our faculty advisor about the situation. Rather than making excuses, I took full responsibility for the oversight. I spent the next week reconstructing transactions through email receipts, credit card statements, and conversations with team members who had made purchases. I created a new expense tracking system using a shared spreadsheet with automated alerts for spending thresholds. I also presented the situation honestly to the university’s student organization office along with our corrective action plan.

Result: The university allowed us to keep our funding status because they appreciated our transparency and proactive solution. More importantly, this failure fundamentally changed how I approach financial responsibility. I implemented systems that prevent similar oversights, always building in redundancy for important data tracking. In my subsequent internship, I developed a reputation for meticulous documentation, which actually led to me identifying a billing discrepancy that saved the company over $15,000.

Why This Works: The answer demonstrates genuine accountability, problem-solving under pressure, and long-term behavior change. You acknowledged the failure, detailed your corrective actions, and showed how the experience made you better. This aligns with Goldman’s Integrity value.

6. Describe a Time When You Went Above and Beyond for a Client

Client service is foundational to Goldman’s culture. They want concrete examples of exceeding expectations.

Sample Answer (Using SOAR Method):

Situation: During my internship at a wealth management firm, I was supporting an advisor with a client who was a small business owner preparing to sell her company within six months.

Obstacle: The client was sophisticated about her business but had limited understanding of tax implications from the sale. She mentioned during a call that she was overwhelmed by the complexity and worried about making expensive mistakes. While comprehensive tax planning wasn’t technically part of our scope at that stage, I could tell this anxiety was preventing her from making other important financial decisions.

Action: On my own initiative, I spent my evenings researching tax strategies for business sales, including installment sales, charitable trusts, and opportunity zone investments. I created a simplified one-page overview explaining each strategy’s pros and cons in plain language, not financial jargon. I also identified three specialized tax attorneys in her area who had specific experience with business sales in her industry and included brief profiles of each. When I presented this to my supervisor, he was impressed and incorporated it into our next client meeting.

Result: The client was extremely grateful for the proactive guidance. She engaged one of the recommended tax attorneys, and the tax planning saved her an estimated $200,000. More importantly, it deepened her trust in our firm. When the sale completed, she moved over $3 million in proceeds to our firm for ongoing management. My supervisor specifically credited my initiative in his year-end review, noting it exemplified the client-first approach the firm valued.

Interview Guys Tip: Goldman emphasizes service mindset in everything they do. Your answer should show you anticipated client needs before being asked and went beyond your defined responsibilities because you were genuinely committed to the client’s success.

7. How Would You Value a Company?

This technical question is fundamental in investment banking. Understanding valuation methods is non-negotiable for analyst positions.

Sample Answer:

“I’d use three primary valuation methodologies and triangulate to arrive at a reasonable range.

First, Discounted Cash Flow analysis. I’d project the company’s free cash flows over 5-10 years, then discount them to present value using WACC. The terminal value would use either perpetuity growth or exit multiple methods. DCF is theoretically most sound because it’s based on the principle that value equals present value of future cash flows.

Second, Comparable Company Analysis. I’d identify 5-10 publicly traded companies with similar business models, size, and growth profiles. I’d analyze trading multiples like EV/EBITDA, EV/Revenue, and P/E ratios, adjusting for differences in growth rates and margins.

Third, Precedent Transaction Analysis. I’d research recent M&A transactions involving similar companies to understand acquisition multiples. These typically trade at premiums due to control and synergies.

Each methodology has limitations. DCF is sensitive to assumptions. Comps depend on finding truly comparable businesses. Precedent transactions might reflect outdated market conditions.

I’d present all three valuations to show a range and explain which I’d weight most heavily based on the specific circumstances and purpose of the valuation.”

Why This Works: You’ve demonstrated technical knowledge while acknowledging limitations. The answer shows you understand both theory and practical application.

8. What Do You Know About Our Division/Department?

This question tests whether you’ve done thorough research. Generic answers signal you’re interviewing broadly rather than targeting Goldman specifically.

Sample Answer (for Investment Banking Division):

“Goldman’s Investment Banking Division is consistently ranked among the top three globally for both announced M&A transactions and equity underwriting. What differentiates your IBD practice is the deep industry expertise organized through focused coverage groups.

I’m particularly interested in the Healthcare IBD team because of the sector’s fundamental transformation. Healthcare represents one of the fastest-growing areas of investment banking activity, driven by factors like aging demographics, technological innovation in digital health and AI diagnostics, and ongoing consolidation among providers and payers.

I noticed in your recent quarterly earnings that IBD revenues were up significantly, partially driven by healthcare transactions. The sector is seeing both strategic M&A as healthcare systems seek scale and private equity activity as firms deploy substantial dry powder in provider services and specialty pharmacy.

What excites me about Goldman’s healthcare practice specifically is your relationships with both strategic and financial sponsor clients. Learning to execute across different buyer types would provide an incredibly well-rounded foundation. Additionally, Goldman’s commitment to sustainable finance creates interesting opportunities in healthcare infrastructure and medical technology that addresses healthcare access challenges.”

Interview Guys Tip: Research recent deals your target division has executed. Reference specific transactions and explain why they interest you. This level of preparation immediately differentiates you from candidates who give generic “I want to work in banking” responses.

9. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

Goldman wants candidates committed to building long-term careers, not just collecting a prestigious name on their resume.

Sample Answer:

“In five years, I see myself as an Associate at Goldman Sachs, having progressed from Analyst after demonstrating strong performance and value to clients and the firm.

More specifically, I’d like to be deeply knowledgeable about my coverage sector, developing expertise that makes me a trusted resource for both clients and senior bankers. I’m drawn to the apprenticeship model at Goldman where junior professionals work closely with senior bankers on complex transactions. Over five years, I’d expect to progress from primarily supporting financial modeling and materials preparation to taking on greater responsibilities in client interaction and transaction management.

I’m also interested in Goldman’s commitment to professional development through your training programs and internal mobility opportunities. While I’m initially focused on investment banking, I appreciate that Goldman offers exposure to different parts of the firm through rotations and internal opportunities.

That said, my immediate focus is earning my place on the team by delivering excellent work product, being responsive to clients, and contributing to Goldman’s collaborative culture. I know the analyst role is demanding, and I’m prepared to put in the work necessary to succeed before thinking too far ahead.”

Why This Works: The answer balances ambition with realism. You’ve shown commitment to Goldman long-term while acknowledging you need to prove yourself first. You’ve also referenced Goldman-specific programs and culture, showing you understand how careers develop at the firm.

10. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

This isn’t just politeness. The questions you ask reveal what you care about and how deeply you’ve thought about the role.

Strong Questions to Ask:

• “How has the team’s workflow evolved with increased technology integration, particularly regarding AI and automation of certain analytical tasks? I’m curious how this might change skill requirements for analysts joining today versus five years ago.”

• “What qualities distinguish analysts who progress quickly to associate versus those who struggle? I want to understand what success looks like beyond technical skills.”

• “How does Goldman think about developing junior talent’s client-facing skills? I noticed the firm emphasizes client service as a core value, so I’m curious when analysts typically begin direct client interaction.”

• “Given current market conditions and the regulatory environment, what types of transactions do you see your group prioritizing over the next 12-18 months?”

Avoid These Questions:

Never ask about hours, work-life balance, or compensation in initial interviews. These questions suggest you’re more concerned about personal convenience than adding value to the team. Also avoid questions easily answered by basic research on Goldman’s website. Every question should demonstrate you’ve done homework and are thinking seriously about contributing to the firm.

Interview Guys Tip: Prepare 5-6 thoughtful questions because interviewers often answer some during the conversation. Having backup questions prepared shows you’re genuinely engaged and thinking critically about the opportunity.

Top 5 Insider Tips for Acing Your Goldman Sachs Interview

1. Master the HireVue Platform Before Your Actual Interview

HireVue interviews are where many candidates stumble unnecessarily. The platform allows unlimited practice questions before your actual interview. Use them extensively to get comfortable with the format, timing, and seeing yourself on camera.

Set up your recording environment carefully. Choose a quiet, well-lit location with a neutral background. Position the camera at eye level. Test your technology multiple times. These seemingly small details matter because HireVue’s AI analyzes not just your words but your delivery, eye contact, and confidence.

Remember, you only get three attempts per question typically. Treat each response like a live interview. If you stumble, recover gracefully and continue rather than stopping mid-answer. Interviewers value composure under pressure.

2. Research Recent Goldman Sachs Deals and Industry News

Generic knowledge about investment banking won’t cut it. You need current, specific knowledge about Goldman’s recent activities.

Review Goldman’s latest quarterly earnings to understand revenue trends. Check league tables for M&A and underwriting to see where Goldman ranks. Identify 3-4 recent Goldman deals in your target sector.

Follow Goldman Sachs on LinkedIn and read their research publications. When you reference Goldman-specific content in interviews, it demonstrates you’re already thinking like someone at the firm.

3. Prepare Stories that Demonstrate Goldman’s Four Core Values

Every behavioral question is evaluating whether you embody Partnership, Client Service, Integrity, and Excellence. Review your experiences and identify specific stories that demonstrate each value.

For Partnership, prepare examples showing collaboration, supporting teammates, and prioritizing collective success over individual recognition. For Client Service, showcase times you anticipated needs, exceeded expectations, or solved problems from the client’s perspective. For Integrity, be ready with examples of ethical decision-making, accountability, or handling difficult situations honestly. For Excellence, highlight achievements demonstrating exceptional performance and continuous improvement.

Structure all behavioral answers using the SOAR Method. This framework ensures comprehensive responses that tell a complete story while highlighting your problem-solving approach and results.

4. Know Your Resume Inside Out and Prepare for Deep Dives

Interviewers will probe every line of your resume. If you listed a finance internship, be prepared to discuss specific projects, models you built, transactions you worked on, and lessons you learned in granular detail.

If you mentioned proficiency in Python, expect follow-up questions about specific applications or code you’ve written. If you included membership in an investment club, be ready to discuss investment theses you developed and how you analyzed companies.

Never include anything on your resume you can’t discuss confidently for 5-10 minutes. Interviewers use resume deep dives to assess both honesty and depth of experience. Vague, surface-level responses raise red flags immediately.

5. Understand Goldman’s Culture and Current Strategic Priorities

Goldman has evolved significantly under CEO David Solomon. The dress code simplified, the firm is investing heavily in technology, and sustainable finance has become a strategic priority.

Understanding these evolutions shows you’re interested in Goldman today. Reference current initiatives like sustainable finance goals or technology investments when discussing why you want to work there.

Goldman emphasizes collaboration and teamwork more explicitly than some competitors. Frame your experiences accordingly. Highlight relevant aspects of your background that align with Goldman’s collaborative culture.

Essential External Resources for Goldman Sachs Interview Preparation

As you prepare for your Goldman Sachs interviews, these external resources provide valuable industry context and specific preparation materials:

Goldman Sachs’ official careers page offers comprehensive information about divisions, culture, and current openings. Review this thoroughly to understand how Goldman describes itself and its priorities.

Wall Street Oasis Goldman Sachs Interview Database contains over 1,800 reported interview questions from actual candidates. This crowd-sourced database helps you understand question patterns and difficulty levels across different divisions.

Glassdoor’s Goldman Sachs Interview Section features thousands of candidate reviews describing their interview experiences, difficulty ratings, and specific questions asked. Filter by role and date to find the most relevant experiences.

eFinancialCareers’ Goldman Sachs Interview Guide compiles reported interview questions and provides industry context about Goldman’s hiring practices and what differentiates successful candidates.

Preplounge’s Goldman Sachs Interview Preparation offers structured guidance on preparation strategy, case study practice, and technical finance preparation specifically tailored to Goldman’s interview format.

Additional Interview Guys Resources to Boost Your Preparation

Investment Banking Interview Questions covers technical finance questions common across all investment banks, including valuation methodologies, financial modeling, and transaction analysis.

Tell Me About a Time Interview Questions provides comprehensive guidance on structuring behavioral responses effectively, with multiple example questions and answer frameworks.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview offers a complete preparation framework covering research, practice, logistics, and mental preparation to perform your best under pressure.

The Ultimate Guide to Panel Interviews helps you navigate Goldman’s Superday format where you’ll face multiple interviewers in succession, managing fatigue while maintaining consistent performance.

Resume Tips for Landing Interviews ensures your application gets past initial screening so you have the opportunity to showcase your skills in interviews.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for the Opportunity of a Lifetime

Getting an interview at Goldman Sachs represents a significant achievement. With a 4% acceptance rate, you’ve already demonstrated exceptional qualifications. But the interview process ahead demands focused, strategic preparation.

Success at Goldman isn’t just about technical knowledge. It’s about demonstrating you understand and embody the firm’s values of Partnership, Client Service, Integrity, and Excellence. It’s about showing genuine passion for finance and markets, not just prestige or compensation.

The candidates who succeed prepare methodically. They practice behavioral questions using the SOAR Method. They study recent deals and market trends. They research Goldman’s culture and strategic direction. They practice extensively with HireVue before their actual interview.

Most importantly, successful candidates are authentic. Goldman’s interviewers are highly trained at identifying rehearsed responses versus genuine passion. Prepare thoroughly, but let your authentic interest in finance and genuine curiosity about Goldman shine through.

Approach your Goldman Sachs interview with confidence earned through preparation, humility about what you still need to learn, and genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. That combination gives you the best possible chance of joining one of the world’s most prestigious financial institutions.

To help you prepare, we’ve created a resource with proven answers to the top questions interviewers are asking right now. Check out our interview answers cheat sheet:

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