As a leading global investment banking and management firm, Goldman Sachs is perfect for graduates looking for fast-paced and prestigious work in offices around the globe. The firm has initiatives to help encourage neurodiversity, to allow professionals to return to the workforce, and to give work opportunities to veterans. Additionally, Goldman Sachs has extensive wellness and financial benefits to ensure employees are content. Further, they prioritize training employees to ensure everyone is working as well as they can.
Goldman Sachs is looking for all people, so don’t be afraid to apply, even if your major was English Lit. They want the best employees and creative, intelligent minds.
The firm prides itself on its push for innovation so that it can efficiently give clients advice on how to make and keep their money. Not only does Goldman Sachs work with private clients, but they also assist local, state, and national governments with financing. Having been around for over 150 years, the company is well established and continues to be a supportive workplace for sharp and persistent employees. Goldman Sachs wants employees who can be good leaders, work cooperatively, and who have veracity. Job seekers looking for a company that allows growth and professional development may be perfect for Goldman Sachs.
Goldman Sachs emphasizes the following areas:
Investment Banking
Consumer & Investment Management
Investing and Lending
Securities
Sustainable Finance
Research
The company also offers a wide range of positions that can fit a myriad of skills and interests. Their divisions are:
Consumer & Investment Management
Engineering
Executive Office
Finance
Global Compliance
Global Investment Research
Human Capital Management
Internal Audit
Investment Banking
Legal
Merchant Banking
Operations
Realty Management
Risk
Securities (Sales and Trading)
What Is Goldman Sachs’ Hiring Process?
Due to the prestigious nature of the company, Goldman Sachs has an extensive recruitment process. Expect the process to be interview heavy, but also be prepared for the possibility of several psychometric tests. The recruitment steps are similar for students looking to enter the workforce and professionals who already have some experience, but the required tasks may vary slightly based on the position.
The first step is to browse the Goldman Sachs’ career page and determine which jobs match your desires, skills, and qualifications. Look at the divisional descriptions to see the stories of employees who work and Goldman Sachs, and determine whether a specific division and Goldman Sachs as a whole is right for you. Feel free to research multiple divisions to find the career path that best suits your needs and interests. Goldman Sachs strongly encourages applicants to do some research into the company and its divisions before applying.
Application
Once you have found a career you are interested in applying for, you can visit Goldman Sachs’ career portal and begin filling out the application for an open job that interests you. Be sure to include a truthful and full resume or CV so that recruiters can see your skills and qualifications. You may also be asked motivational questions to determine why you want to work for Goldman Sachs or why you want the specific position you’re applying for. Additionally, prepare for questions specific to the job you want. The application form will vary based on region and division but check the FAQs and Application checklist from Goldman Sachs for additional help if you get stuck as you try to fill out your application.
Goldman Sachs Psychometric Tests
Rather than using online tests, Goldman Sachs will often have applicants take the necessary assessments at one of their offices. The company is known for using SHL CEB psychometric tests. These tests are meant to judge candidates’ aptitude in several areas. The following psychometric tests may be used:
Situational Judgement Test Expect the situational judgment test to be around twenty-five minutes with about eighteen questions. These tests show how recruits will act in specific situations within the workplace. Goldman Sachs will give you different scenarios and ask you to make judgments. Goldman Sachs’ Situational Judgement test will require you to answer questions promptly to test your quick thinking and ability to work with a time constraint. These tests show off your ability to address problems and function in the job you’re applying for.
Verbal Reasoning Test Using true, false, or cannot be determined, verbal reasoning tests determine job candidates’ abilities to interpret passages of text. This test may ask you to determine antonyms, define vocabulary words, or comprehend verbal analogies. This test takes about twenty minutes to complete. It requires you to read and interpret text speedily.
Numerical Reasoning Test Goldman Sachs Numerical Reasoning Test is meant to test your math abilities by using basic mathematical questions. The questions are generally simple, so the challenge of the test is succeeding under pressure. Candidates will have less than a minute to complete each question. It’s crucial to practice before you take the test so that nerves don’t prevent you from doing well. This test takes twenty minutes and has around twenty to thirty questions. You are not allowed to use a calculator during this test. While Goldman Sachs mostly uses SHL for their tests, they use their own numerical reasoning test. This test will sometimes be taken at home, but employers may ask you to take it again in-person.
Logical Reasoning Test This test usually does not require any outside knowledge. It shows a candidate’s skills using questions based on patterns, sequences, and shapes. This test shows how well you can solve problems and find solutions. Additionally, someone who does well on this test shows employers that they are both conceptual and analytical.
Personality Assessment Some roles might even require personality tests, which will ask candidates to choose which answers best reflect them. There are no right or wrong answers but be strategic with how you define yourself in this test. Be sure to emphasize qualities that the company may be looking for such as trustworthiness, teamwork, and a hard work ethic. These tests are meant to show candidates’ demeanors and to help employers judge if job seekers will be good employees regardless of their qualifications.
Case Studies or Simulations Potential employees may be given simulation scenarios and asked how they would act in a relevant situation. These scenarios give candidates a chance to show how they would act under pressure and respond to certain issues.
Technical Test Some roles will require a technical test, which tests computer coding skills. The test will take an hour and twenty minutes and will test C ++, SQL, C#, and Java abilities. Study up on these areas of knowledge to ensure you’re ready for the test questions.
Interviews
Candidates may be asked to give multiple pre-employment interviews. During interviews, you will be introduced to professionals in your division. In-person or telephone interviews can be used. They are usually competency-based, which means you should prepare by looking over your resume and reflect on what makes you an ideal candidate based on your skills. The first interview is often around 30 minutes. Goldman Sachs commonly puts candidates through several rounds of interviews because they like to find employees through human connection. They also like to find unique employees. Some interviewees report having up to six rounds of interviews. Don’t be afraid to show what makes you stand out. Explain how those unique qualities qualify you for the job.
Keep in Touch
After your interviews, you will be contacted if any further steps need to be taken. If your application is denied, you may look for other jobs and apply to whatever ones you are interested in. Don’t be discouraged if you do not get the role you initially apply for.
Goldman Sachs Interview Questions
Many interview questions at Goldman Sachs ask about your strengths, weakness, motivations, and your experience at school or in other jobs. They may ask what your favorite class was, why you chose to apply to Goldman Sachs, or ask you to verbally run through your CV or resume. Goldman Sachs also likes to ask you how you’d act in specific situations. Following are some sample questions Goldman Sachs may use:
When someone you’re working with cooperatively won’t do their part, what will you do?
How do you behave when part of a team?
Are you a perfectionist?
Can you tell us about an occasion when you had to turn someone down?
Talk about a time when you had to do research. How did you approach this research?
Why did you choose your area of study?
Are there times you failed to reach deadlines? How did you act under a time crunch?
How to Prepare for Goldman Sachs Assessments?
Assessments are crucial screening tools for Goldman Sachs. Thus, it’s important to study the potential test methods and use practice tests. Proper preparations will make you feel self-assured as you begin your testing. Most of the tests are meant to show employers how potential employees will respond to high-pressure circumstances. Accordingly, the best way to prepare is to reduce your stress and nervousness by going into your tests knowing exactly what to expect. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the tests you will take and inquire what testing company will be used because while Goldman Sachs uses SHL generally, that may not always be the case.
Conclusion
Goldman Sachs is a company looking for diverse and unique people. If you’d like to work in an old, prestigious company, Goldman Sachs may be a great place to look, but the competition will be tough. Thus, you must proceed with as much knowledge as possible. Because Goldman Sachs only accepts 4% of applicants, you must put your best foot forward and prepare for the application, online assessments, and interview process. Using the information and tips above, you can be better prepared when you begin your Goldman Sachs application. To feel more confident, utilize psychometric practice tests and prepare for potential interview questions.
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